It is no secret that too much salt is bad for us. Cutting out even a small amount from your diet can improve your health. In fact, according to the American Medical Association, 150,000 American lives could be saved annually by cutting salt intake in half.

Dietary guidelines recommend 2300mg of sodium or less a day. Experts say Americans, on average, more than double that amount. Unfortunately, salt is everywhere and creeps up in almost everything we eat and drink.

Here are some ways to reduce your sodium intake.

1) Read your labels Don't just look at the fat and calorie count on a label; make the sodium count a must-see. You'll be surprised by the amount of sodium in salad dressing and cereal, for example.

2) Avoid processed foods Processed frozen meals, meats and soups are loaded with sodium. The average hot dog has up to 800mg per dog! Canned soup can have about 1000mg per serving.

3) Toss the shaker Your food is most likely already salted. Keep your shaker off the table to prevent adding more to your meal.

4) Eat fresh products Instead of buying canned food, buy it fresh. Fresh vegetables and fruits have very low amounts of natural salt.

Studies show reducing your salt intake by as little as 15 percent a day can help lower blood pressure and help you avoid possible heart problems in the future.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

People often e-mail me and ask, "Is flying while pregnant safe?" For a healthy pregnant woman, the answer is yes. Commercial air travel poses no real risk. Although experts say the safest time to fly during pregnancy is during the second trimester (18 to 24 weeks). Also, if you are at risk for preterm delivery, doctors suggest you avoid flying after 36 weeks' gestation.

Here are some tips for a comfortable flight:

1) Drink non-caffeinated liquids before and during the flight to stay hydrated.

2) Prevent blood clots by getting up every half-hour to stretch and walk around.

3) Choose an aisle seat, which often offers the most space and comfort.

If you suffer from disorders such as anemia, sickle cell disease or clotting disorders, you may be at an increased risk of complications.  Always check with your doctor before flying.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

A healthy liver plays a vital role in digesting the food you eat and the nutrients you absorb and rids your body of toxic substances. It is important to take steps to protect this vital organ as you age.

Here are few tips:

1) Take medications sparingly Use prescription and over-the-counter drugs only when you need them and take only the recommended doses. Too many medications can be damaging to the liver.

2) Don't mix meds and alcohol Certain drugs, such as acetaminophen, can be toxic to the liver when consumed with alcohol.

3) Keep weight in check Obesity can cause a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Experts say the most effective diet is rich in fiber and low in calories and saturated fat.

4) You are what you eat Remember all the food and beverages you are consuming pass through your liver, so the healthier the food, the healthier your liver will be. Strive to eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

If you feel fatigue or have a dull pain in your upper right abdomen, it could be an early sign of liver disease. Consult your doctor for proper screening.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

The average life expectancy in the U.S. is close to 80, according to the National Institute on Aging. But now, researchers are saying exercising can help you reach 90 or even 100 years old. Recent studies found that high-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging, can boost your longevity–adding up to 10-12 biological years to your life.

Don't have time to hit the gym? Here are a few ways to get fit at home.

1) Get off the couch An easy way to burn calories is to jump rope in front of the TV at night. Jumping jacks work great too.

2) Borrow the kids' toys Use the kids' toys as "weights" and do arm exercises as you play with them.

3) Start Steppin' If your home has stairs, strive to go up and down 10 extra times a day. It is an easy way to get your heart rate up and tone your legs.

Besides striving for a longer life, regular exercising can reduce type 2 diabetes, keep your heart and bones stronger and reduce your risk of falls and fractures as you age. And even if you can't hike a mountain or go jogging, just increasing the amount you walk by 30 minutes each day will yield positive results.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

It can sometimes be a battle to get your child to sleep each night. With two daughters, aged 3 years and 16 months, I get to experience this most nights of the week. It's almost like they gang up on us. One night the oldest falls asleep and our younger daughter is awake and then the next night they switch. But new research stresses the importance of sleep in all children. Studies suggest kids who don't get a full night's sleep are at risk of being overweight and also have trouble concentrating throughout the day.

Here are some of the common mistakes parents make when putting their children to sleep.

Trying avoiding:

1) Lying in child's bed Parents should avoid lying down with their child at bedtime. Children should learn to fall asleep on their own. If they don't, they'll wake up in the night and won't be able to fall back asleep without you nearby.

2) Forcing kids to stay put Don't force your older kids to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling if they aren't tired. Older children can learn to soothe themselves to sleep if they get up and read a book for example.

3) Enforcing strict bed time Another thing to remember is some children just can't fall asleep at 7pm every night. Maybe falling asleep at 8:15 is more natural for them. See what the natural rhythm is for your child, and adjust their bedtime accordingly.

4) Not having a set routine Kids with a set nightly ritual tend to sleep better than kids that don't. They'll get used to a particular routine, whether it's taking a bath, telling a story or read a book - and this lulls them to sleep.

Sleep experts recommend infants get 14 to 15 hours of total sleep per day. Toddlers need 12 to 14 hours of total sleep and preschoolers (age 3 to 5 years old) should be getting 11 to 12 hours a day. Reminder that this is total time of sleep per day, and includes napping.