Questions about sodium

JessicaWhosit

So my family has a long history of salt obsession. Everything we make and eat has salt upon salt upon SALT. There is no real history of heart problems in my family but we do have a history of being overweight. However, my family members have gotten to healthy weights without severely cutting that salt intake.

What are the big risks and issues associated with high salt intake? Can it be counteracted with high levels of water? I don't know a lot about this.

Lumberjackson5

Eating a high amount of salt will make your body store more water, which is partly why I don't recommend using a scale to track short term progress. Besides that, there's no real risk unless you're inhaling piles of it or have diabetes - in which case it can raise blood pressure.

tl;dr: Don't worry about it unless you have diabetes.

RunnerStephe

I use himalayan pink salt, it's supposed to not affect HBP, according to Dr. Mercola. Look it up if you don't believe me.

snazzyjazzy21

High salt intake is linked to numerous health issues, not just for your heart but also your kidneys, stomach, bones, hormones, etc. Excessive salt intake can't be counteracted by more water either, you need to physically cut down on the amount consumed. Weight loss isn't connected with salt intake (it can cause water retention, but doesn't actually stop you losing weight), so you can lose weight/be slim while still consuming excessive amounts, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous.

Gidzmo

So my family has a long history of salt obsession. Everything we make and eat has salt upon salt upon SALT. There is no real history of heart problems in my family but we do have a history of being overweight. However, my family members have gotten to healthy weights without severely cutting that salt intake.

What are the big risks and issues associated with high salt intake? Can it be counteracted with high levels of water? I don't know a lot about this.

One thing you CAN do is read the labels as much as possible. What foods use a high amount of salt?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt#Salt_in_food

Condiments such as soy sauce, fish sauce and oyster sauce tend to have a high sodium content (low-sodium soy sauce is available).
I would think that jerky (dried meat) would have higher sodium.

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

SoreTodayStrongTomorrow222

I think it all depends on your family history and your current health as it puts you at higher risk for hypertension - salt does make you retain water but also vitamins and minerals. I drink SO much water that i end up washing all the vitamins and minerals out of my body and despite drinking all that water - i become dehydrated. When I am having a bad day and am feeling dehydrated i eat a teaspon of pink himilayan salt and I salt pretty much everything because it just tastes better with salt.