Not enough sodium?

sweetheart03622

I always hear everyone mentioning needing to lower their sodium, so I decided to start tracking my sodium as part of my nutrients. I found out that I'm consistently and considerably under my recommended amount of sodium. Usually by at least 1,000 mg. Is this going to effect my health in any way? I'm in the process of training for a half marathon, if that makes any difference. Thanks!

BrianJLamb

I think it does matter. Especially if you are training for a race.

I know that when I have done cardio hardcore, I get completely depleted of potassium and sodium. I would cramp, get lightheaded, see the little white floaty spots, sweat without doing anything. My body was completely out of balance and wasnt holding onto electrolytes or whatever. I was also drinking more than a gallon of water a day.

SheehyCFC

make your food diary "public"... but it seems VERY unlikely you'd be that far under sodium everyday. If you're eating super-healthy, it happens but even 1 piece of processed food usually puts you at 500-1000mg

**EDIT - realize the government just passed new "standards" saying it should be ~1500mg/day (not the 2500mg MFP says) - so you may be fine. The above poster is correct though that you need to replenish some of it, especially potassium (much more important)

Mindful_Trent

I've read from multiple credible sources that you only need about 500 mg/day of sodium for body functioning. As long as you're not regularly going much lower than that, I'm sure you're fine.

When you do really long workouts (like the long distance running), if your diet is generally really low in sodium, make sure you drink some fluids with electrolytes (including sodium) to replenish what you lost through sweat. Most typical exercisers don't have to worry about it because their diets are full of more than enough sodium, but if you're on the low end of the healthy range, you'll just want to replace some of your water with gatorade or something of that sort.

MCS64

I recently did some research on this and posted some info. Good stuff to know. Its good to add Sodium to what you are tracking. I titled it "What NOT enough sodium can do"

Becky1971

Interesting question, though I do not know the answer. But wonder if a lack of sodium would lead to less sweating?

I love your quote by the way, "I want to be a runner". I have said that so many times, I really worked at trying to be able to run for more than five min (pathetic I know) last summer, and I just couldn't do it. Some have said that it's easier running when you aren't on a treadmill. I don't know.

sweetheart03622

make your food diary "public"... but it seems VERY unlikely you'd be that far under sodium everyday. If you're eating super-healthy, it happens but even 1 piece of processed food usually puts you at 500-1000mg

**EDIT - realize the government just passed new "standards" saying it should be ~1500mg/day (not the 2500mg MFP says) - so you may be fine. The above poster is correct though that you need to replenish some of it, especially potassium (much more important)

I usually don't eat anything processed (another thing I didn't realized until I added in the sodium tracker). The extent of my process food (during the week at least) is laughing cow cheese and special K crackers, which I usually have about 3 times a week. I am basing it off of the MFP recommended 2,500 calories, so it seems like I'm closer to the new standards. I'll have to look in to ways to replenish it when I have longer runs, haven't experienced any dizziness yet though, but my long runs aren't super far yet.

sweetheart03622

Interesting question, though I do not know the answer. But wonder if a lack of sodium would lead to less sweating?

I love your quote by the way, "I want to be a runner". I have said that so many times, I really worked at trying to be able to run for more than five min (pathetic I know) last summer, and I just couldn't do it. Some have said that it's easier running when you aren't on a treadmill. I don't know.

What really helped me when I first started was doing interval running. Pick a time (or a distance) that's relatively easy for you... say 90 seconds, and jog it, then walk the same time/distance. Slowly increase your running time and decrease your walking time and all of a sudden you'll be training for a half marathon! It's tough at first, and I had a really hard time with the mental stamina involved in it (still do some days), but if you keep at it it'll happen! I'll add you as a friend and I can keep you posted on my progress or help you in getting re-started if you decide to!

BrianJLamb

Interesting question, though I do not know the answer. But wonder if a lack of sodium would lead to less sweating?

I love your quote by the way, "I want to be a runner". I have said that so many times, I really worked at trying to be able to run for more than five min (pathetic I know) last summer, and I just couldn't do it. Some have said that it's easier running when you aren't on a treadmill. I don't know.

I have to say, from my experience, lack of sodium leads to profuse sweating and almost uncontrollable. My body became so willing to give up my water and I was regularly dehydrated. I could go through a gallon of water and not quench my thirst. The great thing about it is that sweat no longer burned my eyes and it tasted awesome when it got into my mouth, like fresh water...unfortunately, I was overheating, almost passing out, cramping up, etc. Not a good tradeoff.

FlashBang

Would you all do me a favor? Google Hyponatremia. The Wiki is pretty good. The combination of pushing water and limiting sodium trend is beginning to scare me. Sodium recommendations from our good ole government are for average Americans. Average Americans are obese and sedentary. Athletes need to carefully consider their own unique nutritional needs and many on this site have crossed the threshold from an average person to athlete. If you are able to exercise more than 60 mins and do so regularly you may be an athlete and need to consider not only how much sodium you are ingesting but how little and how much water you actually need.

MarieS14 Good Job, here is a link to her post <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/182868-what-not-enough-sodium-can-do?page=1#posts-2427578 ">

sweetheart03622

Would you all do me a favor? Google Hyponatremia. The Wiki is pretty good. The combination of pushing water and limiting sodium trend is beginning to scare me. Sodium recommendations from our good ole government are for average Americans. Average Americans are obese and sedentary. Athletes need to carefully consider their own unique nutritional needs and many on this site have crossed the threshold from an average person to athlete. If you are able to exercise more than 60 mins and do so regularly you may be an athlete and need to consider not only how much sodium you are ingesting but how little and how much water you actually need.

MarieS14 Good Job, here is a link to her post <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/182868-what-not-enough-sodium-can-do?page=1#posts-2427578 ">

Oh my goodness. Thank you for sharing that, I never realized how serious this can be. As of now I'm not quite working out for an hour at a time, but I'll have to really look in to replacing some of the electrolytes and sodium as my workouts increase. I'm glad I asked about this!

misschaplin

This is Really interesting and definately something I am going to keep an eye on. As I drink alot of water and am starting some hard workouts this week.

myukniewicz

the American Heart Assosiation states that your recommended amount of daily sodium intake should be 1500mg. The 2500mg limit MFP sets is high.

here is the article i am referring to
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4708

BrianJLamb

Would you all do me a favor? Google Hyponatremia. The Wiki is pretty good. The combination of pushing water and limiting sodium trend is beginning to scare me. Sodium recommendations from our good ole government are for average Americans. Average Americans are obese and sedentary. Athletes need to carefully consider their own unique nutritional needs and many on this site have crossed the threshold from an average person to athlete. If you are able to exercise more than 60 mins and do so regularly you may be an athlete and need to consider not only how much sodium you are ingesting but how little and how much water you actually need.

MarieS14 Good Job, here is a link to her post <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/182868-what-not-enough-sodium-can-do?page=1#posts-2427578 ">

Yes yes...that was the stuff happening to me. Luckily, my brother is a nurse. He gave me a verbal lashing and then pounded me with the idea of me dying because of not eating enough salt. Problem solved.

MissTomGettingThin

I started a thread about this earlier.
I've looked over the database and many many foods are lacking sodium information.
I've gone from 158!! to over 1000 today just by changing my food values.
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