Daily Recommended Amount of Sodium

Table salt is a combination of two minerals - sodium and chloride. Your body needs some sodium to work properly, but most people in the U.S. get more sodium in their diets than they need, which can lead to health problems. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most adults eat less than 2.3 grams per day, about 1 teaspoon. You can help control the amount of sodium in your diet by reading food labels.

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

The amount of sleep you need depends on several factors, including your age, lifestyle, health, and whether you have been getting enough sleep recently. Learn about the general recommendations for sleep, the health effects of not getting enough sleep, and how you can get better sleep.

Blood Sugar

Glucose is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat and is your body's primary source of energy. Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in your blood. If you do not have diabetes, your blood glucose levels naturally rise and fall because your body makes the right amount of insulin to match the food you eat and your activity level. But if you have diabetes, the process is disrupted and your body stops producing insulin or does not use it well.

Pancreatitis

Your pancreas is a gland that secretes digestive juices into the small intestine to help your body digest food. It also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate your blood sugar. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that happens when the digestive juices start digesting the pancreas itself. Learn more about the different types of pancreatitisand how they are managed.

Bone Mineral Density Test

A bone mineral density, or BMD, test measures how much calcium and other minerals are in an area of your bone. You may also have heard this test called a DEXA scan. A BMD test is painless. It can help your health care provider find out if you have osteoporosis and can help predict your risk for bone fractures.