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Copenhagen, Denmark (AHN) – Health experts have long touted a low sodium diet for the masses, maintaining that reduced sodium lowers the risk for heart disease and stroke.

However, new research published online Nov. 9 in the American Journal of Hypertension, finds that cutting back on salt may increase levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other risk factors for heart disease. It is not yet clear what the findings mean for long-term health.

The Danish researchers found that less salt did lower blood pressure in whites, blacks and Asians who had either normal or high blood pressure.

But it came with significant increases in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, the enzyme renin (involved in regulating blood pressure) and the hormones noradrenaline and adrenaline, which can both affect blood pressure and heart rate.

For decades, health experts have advocated reducing sodium consumption. In addition, there has been a powerful new government push to reduce the amount of salt in prepared, processed and restaurant foods.

New U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that people ages 2 and older limit daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams. People aged 51 and older, blacks and anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should consider limiting their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg.

The American Heart Association believes the 1,500 milligrams a day recommendation should be standard for all Americans.

While the new findings are being reviewed, health experts say the recommendation for the general public remains the same when it comes to salt: less is probably better.

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Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) – In trying to eat healthy, making wise choices is not the only obstacle for many. Expense is another. New research shows that eating healthy can cost an extra $7.28 a week, or about $380 a year.

A recent update of U.S. nutritional guidelines, once known as the Food Pyramid and now called My Plate, calls on Americans to eat more fresh foods containing potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D and calcium. But according to a study published Thursday in the journal Health Affair, for the typical consumer adding foods containing these vitamins and nutrients can add hundreds to a yearly grocery bill.

Researchers of the study note that 15 percent of America say they don’t have enough money to eat the way they want to eat. And, recent estimates show 49 million Americans make food choices based on cost.

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Frankfurt, Germany (AHN) – Three people with symptoms of E coli bacterial infection have died in Germany since Saturday and 350 cases of infection were recorded as of Monday.

Health authorities revealed that the latest fatality was a 24-year-old woman, who died on Monday. The cause of death is still being investigated.

A 83-year-old woman from the Diepholz area in Lower Saxony died from bloody diarrhea on Saturday while another octogenarian woman died Sunday. Both had symptoms of E coli infection.

The outbreak is being blamed on contaminated raw foods in north Germany, where the number of cases rose from 90 on Monday to 200 on Tuesday. Two canteens of consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers were closed on Friday after 19 diners became infected.

Last year, a similar outbreak affected 1,000 people.

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Austin, TX, United States (AHN) – The University of Texas System Board of Regents is set to vote on a plan to raise tuition at medical and nursing schools in anticipation of cuts in state funding. States nationwide are struggling to address huge deficits, and Texas is facing an estimated $27 billion budget shortfall.

At the top of the agenda of the special meeting of regents is a proposal to raise tuition and fees beginning in the fall next year.

Tuition at UT Southwestern Medical Center will rise 6.4 percent to $16,640 while at UT Medical Branch at Galveston it will increase 6.7 percent to $15,875.

At UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, tuition for new students will grow 6.7 percent to $16,855, while current students have to pay 3.7 percent more. The highest increase is at UT Health Science Center in Houston, at 16 percent to $14,509.

Tuition will rise by as much as 8 percent at dental schools, and by 6 percent to 12 percent at nursing schools.

The plan will provide an additional $1.1 million annually for financial aid, partially offsetting the state’s decreased revenue for the coming two years.

Texas is expected to earn $72.2 billion in general revenue in the next biennium, nearly 3 percent lower than earnings in 2010 and 2011, according to a report from the state comptroller.

Regents last year voted to raise tuition and fees for UT’s nine academic institutions by nearly 4 percent a year for 2010 and 2011.

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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has expressed doubt about the effectiveness of probiotic drinks and yoghurts in aiding consumers’ digestion.

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National Restaurant Association, UnitedHealthcare, and Pennsylvania Restaurant Association form RESTAURANT HEALTH CARE ALLIANCE to provide health coverage and related products and services to Pennsylvania restaurant workers

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