Is there such a thing as too LITTLE sodium in your diet? I mean, realistically?

[CTyankee]

I have high blood pressure and have totally re-organized my diet due to a health scare last summer. I check every label and do most of my cooking from fresh, not prepared, foods. I figure if I can just eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh foods and keeping my sodium levels to as low as possible I will be fine.

But how much do we need? I realize we need SOME sodium and of course we get it. Hard to eat without it.

I can't find an exact number of what that would be online. My doc hasn't said what the ideal would be, just "low". Hmm...

Is 500 mg in a day too little? Or just anything as long as it doesn't top out over 1,500 mg per day, as I've seen recommended.

[unblock]

1. wiki says 500mg, and wiki of course is never wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_sodium_diet

The human minimum requirement for sodium in the diet is about 500 mg per day,[2] which is typically less than one-sixth as much as many diets "seasoned to taste". For certain people with salt-sensitive blood pressure, this extra intake may cause a negative effect on health.

[CTyankee]

2. well, I'm the salt sensitive type.

My guess is that I am at between 500 and 1500 per day, maybe 750. But I don't want to spend my entire life counting mgs of sodium. My last bp reading was pretty normal (and I have "white coat syndrome" requiring several readings in one sitting as I relax and talk with my doc).

thanks for the link!

[elleng]

3. Here are some answers, yank:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/sodium/art-20045479

[CTyankee]

4. that's great! thanks, ellen!

[elleng]

5. You're welcome.

Be well!

[4139]

6. Good BUT doesn't mention exercise Sweat loss...

For every pint of sweat lose you lose 450-600mg of sodium. Too low sodium will lead to hyponatremia

[easychoice]

7. a gram a day,unless you live where it is hot.

You need it to retain fluid.My Cardiologist said I needed more to hold water.I was eating less than 500mg. a day according to my blood test.I didn't change anything much,I just started adding a pinch of salt at the table when I eat.They were amazed that I tested so low.Watch what you eat people.

[lunasun]

8. +1 easy to under nowdays with low salt choices

Most never think about potassium balance as an issue either w/ BP problems...........just sayin
check it out

[easychoice]

9. Potassium is great for you and your heart.

Eat a Banana or two a day.Or 2 tablespoons of "Blackstrap molasses". Blackstrap is really loaded with nutrition.
My blood look great now.Everything is right where it should be over the last year and 3 blood tests.My DR. Rocks!

[lunasun]

14. I use good old blackstrap molasses and know it's benefits. Use old fashion

Gelatin too not just for weight lifters has many benefits,but is good for muscle building too
Sodium balanced with enough pottasium usually results in healthy bp..I say usually , as high bp can have other sources than high sodium intake that is unbalanced
Congrats on getting your self balanced right where you should be.

[easychoice]

15. Thank You,

my cardiologist suggested the Blackstrap because I am not real hot on bananas.I like yams,white beans and boiled spinich but Blackstrap makes sure I get what I need regardless of the rest of my daily food choices.
I will look in to Gelatin,everything looks real good for me now including blood pressure.
Again,thank you.I spent a little time tweeking and studying but I know I have what I need every day.

[2naSalit]

10. Answer: yes.

I have a great book that explains (although written in the style of hype) the body needs for sodium nitrate, but there are eleven other "micronutrients" aka "cell salts" that regulate bodily functions which when deficiencies exist can be a health nightmare. I let a friend borrow it last week, otherwise I would give you the ISBN # for it. It was written in the 1970s but has a lot of handy health info. I use the "cell salts" when I am not feeling well and find that they offer rapid recovery from a number of ills... along with good eating habits and other healthy practices. The book covers accupressure and other interesting ways to gain health.

the book:

Handbook of Unusual and Unorthodox Healing Methods

by
J. V. Cerney


I googled it and seems to be available from a variety of sources.

https://www.google.com/search?q=handbook+of+unusual+and+unorthodox+healing+methods&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[VanillaRhapsody]

11. well there is the whole iodine thing...

[YOHABLO]

12. Check out how much salt is in canned soup .. sometimes as much as 750mg. What's wrong with these

people. I honestly believe that Americans do not read, much less the back of canned goods. I have always been told to keep my salt intake below 2000mg. Salt, like sugar is in everything. Watch the food channel and watch how much salt this celebrity chefs like Rachel Ray, throw in every dish they are preparing. Chefs are big on salt and dinning out you don't have any control over the amount unless you specifically tell them you have health problems. You won't be a very popular customer at any fine dinning restaurant.

[CTyankee]

13. I NEVER eat canned soup! Period! I check out EVERYTHING!

Tonight we had red clam sauce that I made. The pasta was 45 mg. per serving, the clams very low, the garlic, parsley, olive oil and white wine zero, the salad greens zero, the tomatoes about 45 mg, and fresh fruit for dessert zero.

It was a satisfying meal. I don't feel hungry or needy for anything...

[SheilaT]

16. I have read (in the distant past) that it is not possible to have too much sodium,

because you'll excrete the excess. Makes sense to me.

I do know that every time I read about a study involving sodium, it also involves other things, such as weight loss.

I also know that we really do need sodium in our diets to maintain basic functions.

Personally, I salt to taste, and simply don't freak out about things like high blood pressure. I also eat almost no prepared foods. My overall health is amazing. I'm 66 years old and healthier than anyone else I know my age. In fact, I get very irritated with my age mates who can't stay up past 8pm, or can't eat after 6pm, or any such nonsense.

[kickysnana]

17. My grandmother died in 1989, age 84, from low sodium, she went in to heart failure.

The doctor had her on heart meds, a diuretic, potassium and she put no salt on her food per doctors orders. We managed to save someone else's Grandma cause they heard about mine and got her help sooner.

The first test in the ER the doctor announced that he "had never seen a live person with a sodium level that low."

[hedgehog]

18. There are a lot of prepared foods in the organic section that are low sodium.

for those days when you want a quick can of chicken noodle soup!

[CTyankee]

19. I tried our organic section of Stop and Shop but nothing was all that low sodium among

the prepared foods. I could just make my own chicken soup from very low sodium chicken stock. But I want to spend less, not more, time in the kitchen. I cook every meal at home and it is tiring.

[rocktivity]

20. According to the Center of Science For The Public Interest

2,300 mg (around a teaspoon a day), less for African Americans and those over 50. Go to this page and click the "Salt" tab:

http://yourhhrsnews.com/weight-control/


rocktivity

[CTyankee]

21. Over 50 not african american. I clock in pretty low under 2300...

Anything with any salt at all now tastes too salty to me. Been at this for about 7 months. It's good, but a fair amount of work to accomplish...you have to read every label and cook accordingly...