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Sodium Confusion...

happy_jax
happy_jax Posts: 289 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I just have a quick question.

A lot of my MFP friends are always talking about being over on Sodium and I notice a lot of emphasis on this in the forums etc.So clearly, it must have a big impact on your weight loss.

However...I don't track my Sodium intake... I am on quite a lot of medication - and was on quite a few to raise my blood pressure etc, but when I went on a new type for something else, I had to stop taking that. The doctor said it may just work if I increased the amount of salt I ate in my diet. It seems to have done the trick because now my blood pressure is in the bottom of the 'acceptable' bracket, rather than the 'you should be passed out' bracket :laugh:

I am losing weight...but very slow. So should I continue not to worry about sodium (even eating more, as my doctor suggests) or is this really something to be cautious about?

Replies

  • abricklin
    abricklin Posts: 156 Member
    sodium makes you retain fluid (and causes a lot of other problems, like increased blood pressure). For most overweight people, sodium is bad for those reasons. However, if you need to increase BP or keep it where it is, and a dr says to up your sodium, then thats what I would do.
  • erikazj
    erikazj Posts: 2,365 Member
    It sounds to me like you are in a fairly unique situation and should take your doctor's advice. Excess sodium can make you retain water, which is why it can affect weight loss. Too much can also be harmful to your health in the long term, but it sounds like you have other problems to consider and before changing anything should consult with your doctor.

    Best of luck,

    Erika
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,389 Member
    Hello,

    4 pounds is very good and losely slowly is fine also. Listen to your doctor. If a doctor is telling you to eat more sodium than you need to do so. The weight will continue to come off.
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,389 Member
    Hello,

    4 pounds is very good and losely slowly is fine also. Listen to your doctor. If a doctor is telling you to eat more sodium than you need to do so. The weight will continue to come off.
  • jac2lyn
    jac2lyn Posts: 90
    Definatly listen to your Dr. in this case. Sodium can cause water retention and higher blood pressure but since your blood pressure is so low you need the sodium. Just drink alot of water to help drain the extra bloat in your body. I am losing slowly too but I am happy losing what I am losing, plus if youa r building muscle the scale might not go down as quickly, just remember htat!
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