Sodium.

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Replies

  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    One of my office mates changed her diet to lose weight. She was feeling tired and went to the doc. He told her that her sodium levels were too low and to up her intake immediately.

    Opposite of the problem most have .
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
    your muscles will literally not work without Na

    Or your brain.

    Acute hyponatremia and associated cerebral oedema tends to follow a confusion, seizure, coma, death trajectory unless reversed.

    It's more about the ratio of sodium to water in the blood though ... even for the blood pressure relationship.

    Osmotic pressure across a semi permeable membrane; water follows salt and all that.

    *most* people should be eating within the recommended guidelines (even if they don't have hypertension).

    Some people - example heart failure patients - may needs a greater sodium restriction to manage their fluid balance. Others - for example those on medications or with medical condition that cause low sodium - may need to include more dietary salt.

    For anyone in any doubt about their sodium needs, have your electrolytes checked by your doctor and ask what sodium intake is relevant to you.




  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    If I don't get at least 2,000 mg sodium a day, I get terrible migraines and my already low blood pressure drops into dangerous territory pretty fast.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    N_G_H wrote: »
    Most days on MFP I am way under on my sodium. Not sure how to increase it and also not sure if it's causing any problems not getting my RDI. Any thoughts?

    The number is supposed to be a max, not a minimum. You are unlikely to be getting too little if you feel fine. The body regulates it normally and it's probably not uncommon to get more than you think, also.

    If you are concerned it's super easy to get more, though. Add some salt. I add it in cooking but don't bother logging it since I don't watch sodium.

  • michellesz
    michellesz Posts: 429 Member
    Good but with recipes I try to use minimally for others who can add it on the side if needed according to their taste. Besides I notice a considerable difference in retention and bloat when my consumption is on the higher side -personal preference.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited March 2017
    ??? If you are responding to me that was to the poster who was concerned about how to get more.

    Edit: oh, never mind, I guess that was to the original post?
  • Wow how is everyone having having too low sodium?? <---mostly hypothetical

    Personally i have high bp and just started meds for it. Im trying to follow the DASH diet and up my exercise as well. Ive noticed that so many things have an f ton of sodium, its so easy to have high levels without ever adding table salt. If you didnt pull it out of the ground yourself, chances are it has a sodium level. If its in a container, it probably has a blasted sodium level. All common sense, yes; still surprising when you suddenly have to restrict or reduce your sodium levels. Its been an eye opening expierence for me so if anyone wants to msg me further info, im always welcoming that.

    I am thankful however to the fact that even after just a week or 2 of sodium reduction, i can taste a huge difference in things that once were bland or just okay can now taste salty af. Oh, and my once fav things called pickles? I can barely stomach one.

    Note: my spelling probably sucks. Sorry. Also, none of that was intended as preachy or negative. I really like hearing about both sides to the argument (even if i cant partake lol)
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Aaron_K123 wrote: »
    Atoms...good or bad. Discuss.

    You mean like when they crash into each other? Lol
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Too much of anything can be bad...
  • Mistraal1981
    Mistraal1981 Posts: 453 Member
    Is it good or bad??

    The poison is in the dose.
  • Johnd2000
    Johnd2000 Posts: 198 Member
    I tend to faint when I haven’t had enough of it, so I’d go with “good”.
  • rdnck101
    rdnck101 Posts: 25 Member
    I got yelled at by my cardiologist for cutting out too much sodium. Everyone’s different. Have your levels checked before cutting back.
  • kpsyche
    kpsyche Posts: 345 Member
    edited April 2018
    "All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison" -- Paracelsus

    Edit: Even drinking too much water a day can kill you (hyponatremia)
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