How important is sodium?

eileen0809

Hi!

I joined this site about a month ago and its fantastic! I've actually been pretty good about sticking to the bottom-line number (most of the time :-) ), but had a question - how important is sodium intake? I eat alot of prepared/frozen meals and the reports showed me that they're sky high in sodium, even though they're low in calories. Great for the short term but I don't want my arteries to look like a salt lick in 2 years. Tips/advice?

Thanks!!!

eileen0809

Hi!

I joined this site about a month ago and its fantastic! I've actually been pretty good about sticking to the bottom-line number (most of the time :-) ), but had a question - how important is sodium intake? I eat alot of prepared/frozen meals and the reports showed me that they're sky high in sodium, even though they're low in calories. Great for the short term but I don't want my arteries to look like a salt lick in 2 years. Tips/advice?

Thanks!!!

banks1850

well, too much sodium is bad for you. How bad? Not really sure, but I know it contributes to blood pressure issues. I also know that adults should max out at around 1500 - 3500 mg of sodium a day
I would try to stay under the halfway point for that if possible, sodium is linked to some neurological issues, but only when people consume massive amounts for a period of weeks (say 15 grams a day for weeks) and this can turn fatal. Bottom line is, one day with 6000 mg of sodium won't kill you, and probably won't even harm you, but that much for 6 months could do some serious damage.

banks1850

Oh, and almost forgot, too little sodium is bad as well, your body uses it to help keep the blood fluids soluable (if I remeber my high school anatomy class right) and transporting fluids working correctly.

eileen0809

Thanks! I seem to be stuck around the 3500mg/day mark, but will try substituting in some actual food instead of frozen meals once in while. Time to learn to ::gulp:: cook!

hjcopeland

I just read that unless you suffer from high blood pressure, excessive sodium intake isn't a major concern healthwise (I can’t find the article online, but I could have sworn int was in the October issue of Men’s Health).

However, from a weight loss standpoint, it will make you retain water, and water weighs over 2 pounds per quart!

Here are some interesting articles on the subject:

http://body.aol.com/diet/basics/low-sodium?sem=1&ncid=AOLHTH00170000000005

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=nutrition&conitem=87402e04fbbda010VgnVCM200000cee793cd____

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=nutrition&category=food.for.fitness&conitem=3f1a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061101151027.htm

Happy Reading!


HJC

nbuehrmann

I don't know much about sodium, except for the high blood pressure... but alot of people recently have been telling me to watch my sodium intake... apparently it prevents you from losing weight not just because of the gain of water but something biochemical.
I'm not sure of the scientific reason... i think its just emerging. Just something to be aware of.