Do I need to track sodium?

lklein

So I read this article on msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43171460/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/), and it made me questions how bad sodium really is for ME. This Q&A is what makes me question it:

Q: Is salt actually bad for you?
A: Salt by itself is not bad. For people at a healthy weight, without illnesses like heart failure, there’s a big zone of safe salt intake. But remember that 65 percent of the American public is overweight and 32 percent are obese. And about 50 percent of those aged 45 to 65 have metabolic syndrome.

I personally am at a healthy weight even though it's not ideal (133lbs at 5'3"), I'm young (24), eat limited amounts of processed foods, do not have any health risks, and no family history of those related health risks. I'm wondering, what is this bigger zone for salt intake that was mentioned? I know that the Mayo Clinic sets the limit at 2300mg but this site has it at 2500mg. What is the harm is I go over that limit, and does drinking more water really help counter the excess sodium?

I guess I want to know if it is beneficial for me to track my sodium at this point, and if I do what should be the maximum amount I consume?

reyna99

I do 1500mg, and I track it as much as I track my calories! For me it makes a difference

nehtaeh

I've wondered the same thing at times. I have no family history of problem associated with sodium. My blood pressure is actually on the low side. I weight a little more than you, about 145 right now and am 5'3". I'm 31 though, but not too old.

I try to stay around what MFP is set for. I find that if I go over it does affect my holding onto water. However, I haven't been able to really limit it too much to see what only getting about 1500/day would do. I don't know if I might feel even better, or if that's too low for me.

jpeterburs88

It really makes a difference in my diet- I know the more sodium I'm eating (typically) means the more processed foods (for my diet, atleast). Plus if I get on the scale the day after a high-sodium day and I've gained, it means that I'm retaining water. I drink A LOT of water daily so my sodium really affects how much of that I retain. Plus, too much can lead to high blood pressure which runs in my family. I figure, I may as well be safe- after I got used to a lower sodium "dose" per day, it wasn't that hard to follow.

sweet_lotus

I don't think there's really an easy answer to that, because, the research hasn't focused on well people.

Recently, the American Heart Association did a literature review, and made an advisory a 1500mg daily limit for everyone. You can read more about it here:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Hypertension/24334

They claim that reducing sodium intake has a preventative effect on the development of hypertension later in life.

I'm not sure that it's necessary for you to watch your sodium at this point. On the other hand, it may be helpful to be mindful of your intake, because at some point in your life you'll want to keep it at a minimum.

Cmuchoa

I believe that everyone, whether you are in perfect health or have health issues, you need to track or at least check yr sodium intake. Sodium lurks in all of our foods without even using a salt shaker - look at yr labels on all and I mean all yr items - be it dairy, frozen foods, meats, processed, canned, breads, deli counter - it is absolutely insane. When I first became ill the visiting nurse was at my house and asked me how my sodium intake was and my answer was that I rarely use salt. That is when she took me by the hand and we went thru my refrigerator and then the cabinets. I was floored to see that fat free milk has 130 mg of sodium. I have become an avid label reader since - you will see me in the supermarket comparing two items in my hands all the time. Too much sodium can also make you retain water and yr fingers and feet can swell and can really affect yr blood pressure too.

lklein

I don't think there's really an easy answer to that, because, the research hasn't focused on well people.

Recently, the American Heart Association did a literature review, and made an advisory a 1500mg daily limit for everyone. You can read more about it here:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Hypertension/24334

They claim that reducing sodium intake has a preventative effect on the development of hypertension later in life.

I'm not sure that it's necessary for you to watch your sodium at this point. On the other hand, it may be helpful to be mindful of your intake, because at some point in your life you'll want to keep it at a minimum.

I was just reading through the link posted and it said

"Previous recommendations suggested that salt intake should be below 2,300 mg per day for American adults, but advised that people at risk -- those with hypertension, blacks, and older individuals -- lower their intake to 1,500 mg.

That should now be the goal for all, according to the AHA advisory, particularly since those categories may comprise up to 70% of the population."

This makes me believe that keeping my sodium below 2,300mg per day is the right move to make since I am not a person "at risk". I think trying to keep it at 1500mg is ok, but I wont get upset if I end up closer to 2,300mg. I feel that they are recommending taht EVERYONE be at 1500mg because the majority of the population are in the at risk category.