Sodium is NOT the bad :P

Melinda1987

A friend the other day was questioning how much sodium I take in. And I responded the same way I have to my doctors over the years: "I don't smoke, don't do drugs, rarely drink, and don't have promiscuous sex. Due to my diabetes I try to watch my sugar & carbs. FOR GOD'S SAKE GIVE ME SALT!!!" :laugh: My father was a salt-a-holic and had great blood-pressure. My mom avoided salt and had terrible blood-pressure problems - go figure.

I see people on this site preach anti-sodium because it makes you retain water. Well I've been researching that on the net and that's only true if you don't flush it out of your system with a lot of fluid. I drink over a gallon of iced tea (no sugar, just lemon) a day (yes I know it's a diuretic - I don't care) PLUS my 8 glasses of water. Trust me - whatever sodium I'm taking in is flushed from my system!

And in my research I found this lovely article.
http://www.good.is/post/is-salt-actually-bad-for-you-new-research-adds-to-the-confusion/
And before you say anything - yes I realize that research & stats can be bent anyway you want. Which includes any research that claims salt's bad for u.

papastu

well put :drinker:

taz00071

Thank you for the information. Tony

kellytime

If this is true it will make me so happy . Can live without sugar, fat , but have been missing salt!

Painten

People on here do tend to demonise sodium when really nothing eaten right should be labelled bad when talking about natural products such as sodium. When i had my children cut out most sodium not adding any at all my oh started suffering dizzy spells and when he went to the doctor they said he has low blood pressure and advised him to start adding salt to his food.

greeneyed84

Our bodies need sodium, very true. But unfortunate for me high bp lies in the family. Mine was in the 130s for years, during pregnancies even in the 140s. Since I started losing weight & staying around 2000ms of salt it was come down to the 120s & I have to keep it up. I'm only 26.
Lucky you, I love salt!

AngelaPowPowPOW

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

TourThePast

Sodium is only one of the many contributory factors towards heart disease, along with age, family history, gender, smoking, weight and diet etc etc.

BUT it is widely accepted by the scientific community that sodium intake IS a factor in heart disease. So, for those who have the major controllable factors under control, such as weight and not smoking, and are still concerned about heart disease, the fact that this site helps them to log it is a great benefit.

While you might personally feel that as you're on top of everything else, it's not worth your worrying about sodium, I'm not entirely comfortable with the message you're putting across that it's unimportant in terms of health.

AngelaPowPowPOW

..and I'm not saying ALL sodium is bad. I'm saying sodium off the guidelines will sabotage you.

KarenLouise1981

A friend the other day was questioning how much sodium I take in. And I responded the same way I have to my doctors over the years: "I don't smoke, don't do drugs, rarely drink, and don't have promiscuous sex. Due to my diabetes I try to watch my sugar & carbs. FOR GOD'S SAKE GIVE ME SALT!!!" :laugh: My father was a salt-a-holic and had great blood-pressure. My mom avoided salt and had terrible blood-pressure problems - go figure.

I see people on this site preach anti-sodium because it makes you retain water. Well I've been researching that on the net and that's only true if you don't flush it out of your system with a lot of fluid. I drink over a gallon of iced tea (no sugar, just lemon) a day (yes I know it's a diuretic - I don't care) PLUS my 8 glasses of water. Trust me - whatever sodium I'm taking in is flushed from my system!

And in my research I found this lovely article.
http://www.good.is/post/is-salt-actually-bad-for-you-new-research-adds-to-the-confusion/
And before you say anything - yes I realize that research & stats can be bent anyway you want. Which includes any research that claims salt's bad for u.

Oh Thank you!! The amount of times I hear "the salt is responsible for your 5lb weight gain" drives me crazy!! Surely if we're eating fresh rather than processed salt won't be such an issue anyway??

audigal2008

If this is true it will make me so happy . Can live without sugar, fat , but have been missing salt!

MMMM salt!! Ive tried "fake" salt, nothin beats the real deal

TourThePast

Oh Thank you!! The amount of times I hear "the salt is responsible for your 5lb weight gain" drives me crazy!! Surely if we're eating fresh rather than processed salt won't be such an issue anyway??

Sodium in excess does cause water retention. Fact.

However, it's irrelevant, because those of us who are here to lose weight should be trying to lose fat, not water!

bmontgomery87

thanks for sharing. I agree with the OP.
Blows my mind how many people like to say salt is bad.
If you're eating right and excercising, salt isn't going to be a problem.
If you eat poorly, and don't excercise, salt still isn't whats killing you.

I eat over 5000 mgs a day. BP is fine. And I don't retain water unless I go overboard with alcohol.
Get off your butts and excercise instead of trying to say sodium is evil.

sammys1girly

I have passed out twice from low blood pressure and my dr told me to make sure to eat some extra sodium, followed up alot of fluids, which helps keep everything at a good level. I carry a drink with me everywhere I go and pretzels as well and haven't had a problem since. I love salty foods so I like the dr's orders

carlfry

I also have to disagree. Everyone will handle sodium differently. It will catch up to you if you're taking too much in. It's true - you do need some sodium to live and function, but only around 500mg/day. Most people take in well over 4,000mg/day which is where you're going to get your issues. The other factor is where you're getting your sodium from, because it matters. If you're getting it from pre-packaged foods vs. table salt, I'd imagine it's going to do a lot more damage.

MissingMinnesota

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

I am almost always over on my sodium (usually around 3000mg a day) it hasn't effected my weight loss at all since I drink a ton of water. You also should have a little more sodium in your diet when you exercise a lot since you do sweat some of it out.

TourThePast

If you're eating right and excercising, salt isn't going to be a problem.
If you eat poorly, and don't excercise, salt still isn't whats killing you.

It is not that simple, there is never one single issue that leads to heart disease. Sodium IS a factor, as are many other things, including being overweight and not exercising.

Just because you feel healthy, that does not disprove all the medical studies which have linked excess sodium to higher incidence of heart disease.

*headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*

AngelaPowPowPOW

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

I am almost always over on my sodium (usually around 3000mg a day) it hasn't effected my weight loss at all since I drink a ton of water. You also should have a little more sodium in your diet when you exercise a lot since you do sweat some of it out.

IF you exercise a lot. That's the key...or for LOW blood pressure, sure. But to try to lose weight and just say "I'll do this, but not any of that", sodium in copious amounts cannot be helpful. It'd be like saying "I'll run two miles today and then spend the night with a bucket of chicken."...they cancel each other out. You just stay where you are.

PeachyKeene

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

I totally agree with you.

SarzWix

An excess of salt is also linked with stomach cancer, if you use it in excess over a long period of time.

However, I do think the OP is correct in that people do get overly hung up on the issue. If you have high blood pressure and have been advised to cut down on salt, fair enough, but otherwise, I think that like everything, balance is the key. If you exercise and perspire, you need to replace salts as well as water.

PeachyKeene

Get off your butts and excercise instead of trying to say sodium is evil.

I think you are very rude! I do exercise and watch what I eat. If I eat to much salt it shows not only on my body, but the scales and I feel extremely weighed down. I work out every day, you don't know everyone situation, and I certainly don't agree with your opinion. My grandfather was not fat, and lived a very active lifestyle, but had a massive heartattack at the age of 45. The doctor linked it to excess sodium, and stress.

When people on MFP complain of water weight, or not seeing the scales move, even after watching what they eat and exercising, it would surely be reasonable to say, watch your sodium and drink more water.

How about this, seek medical advice on whether salt is okay in your diet or not. Then you will have an educated opinion and a reliable source!

MissingMinnesota

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

I am almost always over on my sodium (usually around 3000mg a day) it hasn't effected my weight loss at all since I drink a ton of water. You also should have a little more sodium in your diet when you exercise a lot since you do sweat some of it out.

IF you exercise a lot. That's the key...or for LOW blood pressure, sure. But to try to lose weight and just say "I'll do this, but not any of that", sodium in copious amounts cannot be helpful. It'd be like saying "I'll run two miles today and then spend the night with a bucket of chicken."...they cancel each other out. You just stay where you are.

Well in your first statement you said check with people that have dropped a lot of weight. I thought I qualified for that with almost 90lbs down. In my experience sodium has not effected my weight loss.

I am not saying how it affects anything else other then how it affected MY weight loss.

AngelaPowPowPOW

When people on MFP complain of water weight, or not seeing the scales move, even after watching what they eat and exercising, it would surely be reasonable to say, watch your sodium and drink more water.

Well said. After I have a sodium bingefest, it takes me three days of flushing it out of my system to start losing again. Why work out everyday when i have to take three days to recoup from excess sodium from processed this and that and salty treats? I'd rather spend those three days gaining muscle or losing inches.

TTHdred

thanks for sharing. I agree with the OP.
Blows my mind how many people like to say salt is bad.
If you're eating right and excercising, salt isn't going to be a problem.
If you eat poorly, and don't excercise, salt still isn't whats killing you.

I eat over 5000 mgs a day. BP is fine. And I don't retain water unless I go overboard with alcohol.
Get off your butts and excercise instead of trying to say sodium is evil.

That’s just it. I think for many people on here they are not eating right and are trying to learn how to do so. We all need to keep in mind that folks are at different points in their journey. If you’ve been doing this for years, then maybe you already know how to manage your sodium intake. For those just starting out, or don’t find the details of nutrition as fascinating, some simple “rules” or guides to follow may be what they need to get them started and sustained.

Possibly more useful info, would be to remind folks of the daily recommended amount of sodium for an adult (1500-2400g). That's a huge range. Then maybe indicate that health and other factors may have you lower or higher than that number. For example, it sounds like you work out quite a bit. Sodium is used in the production of electrolytes which your body needs after those workouts so it makes sense that you may consumer or even desire more sodium.

That said, I think we can all agree that too much or too little of anything can have adverse effects on health. Heck, you can have too much water! Which is why I think if you find people who say “salt is bad for you” irresponsible, then you should find comments such as “salt is not bad for you” equally as irresponsible.

AngelaPowPowPOW

Totally disagree. Sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease for years. In fact, most dieticians, doctors, surgeons, personal trainers and holistic "gurus" will tell you that too much sodium will sabotage your diet. The most efficient way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise, and cut back on fat and sodium.
Unsure of this "fact"? Check out the MFP'ers who have lost weight. Not even the ones who lost 'some" but those that have dropped weight BIG TIME. Ask them what they think about the sodium controversy. From the horse's mouth and all that...

I am almost always over on my sodium (usually around 3000mg a day) it hasn't effected my weight loss at all since I drink a ton of water. You also should have a little more sodium in your diet when you exercise a lot since you do sweat some of it out.

IF you exercise a lot. That's the key...or for LOW blood pressure, sure. But to try to lose weight and just say "I'll do this, but not any of that", sodium in copious amounts cannot be helpful. It'd be like saying "I'll run two miles today and then spend the night with a bucket of chicken."...they cancel each other out. You just stay where you are.

Well in your first statement you said check with people that have dropped a lot of weight. I thought I qualified for that with almost 90lbs down. In my experience sodium has not effected my weight loss.

I am not saying how it affects anything else other then how it affected MY weight loss.

I was agreeing with you, but yeah.

Painten

I think people have to differentiat between "sodium" and "too much sodium" they aren't both the same. The OP is sayign "some" sodium is good not go out and drown your food in salt.

Melinda1987

I am almost always over on my sodium (usually around 3000mg a day) it hasn't effected my weight loss at all since I drink a ton of water. You also should have a little more sodium in your diet when you exercise a lot since you do sweat some of it out.

OMG tell me 'bout it! I must have HUGE pores or MASSIVE amounts of salt in me - 'cause after I sweat & it dries, I can literally wipe grains of salt off my face!! Well they're grains of something and taste salty so whatever. (Yes I tasted them - ewww me if u like )

Melinda1987

...
That said, I think we can all agree that too much or too little of anything can have adverse effects on health. Heck, you can have too much water! Which is why I think if you find people who say “salt is bad for you” irresponsible, then you should find comments such as “salt is not bad for you” equally as irresponsible.

I agree! I think I was a bit too flippant in my original post. I am not saying "chug all the salt you want! Hell - dump the whole salt box on yer fries!!" I was just saying that it's not something I'm concerned with. I weight nearly 300 lbs. I am NOT going to beat myself up aiming for freakin PERFECTION in "O I gotta watch my calories, watch my fat, watch my carbs, watch my sodium - *kitten* I gotta eat cardboard!!! O no - that's too much fiber!" :laugh: At THIS point in my weight-loss journey I'm watching calories and getting in at least 30 mins a day of cardio. Do I realize that eventually I'll have to add strength training, increase cardio, start watching other factors like fat & sodium? SURE! But right now - let me take my baby steps.

BigBoneSista

thanks for sharing. I agree with the OP.
Blows my mind how many people like to say salt is bad.
If you're eating right and excercising, salt isn't going to be a problem.
If you eat poorly, and don't excercise, salt still isn't whats killing you.

I eat over 5000 mgs a day. BP is fine. And I don't retain water unless I go overboard with alcohol.
Get off your butts and excercise instead of trying to say sodium is evil.

Salt isn't bad, but if you over indulge in it the possibility of it becoming something bad within you is a fact. You are young now so you think you are invincible as most young people do. But I suggest you not to through caution in the wind. I don't have high blood pressure nor do I have it in my family history but I still don't want to take advantage of that. So yes I watch my sodium and majority of the time is below 1500 a day.

Now if I decide to eat out or get my alaskan king crab legs...well my sodium intake is shot for the day and on those days I do retain water and I've gained 5lbs of water weight from excess sodium intake. (I know you didn't make the 5lbs comment but I just stuck it in here).

Flushing your system is awesome for those that over indulge once in a while but who wants to have to do this everyday... I don't want to drink more water than I have to because I want to consume more salt. I run to the bathroom enough already.

MOO

TourThePast

Do I realize that eventually I'll have to add strength training, increase cardio, start watching other factors like fat & sodium? SURE! But right now - let me take my baby steps.

I agree with you about the OP being maybe a bit too flippant, perhaps "I have far "badder" things to worry about right now" was the message you were trying to give, rather than "Sodium is NOT the bad :P", when it's clear from all the scientific studies that "Sodium IS the bad" :bigsmile:

Keep on with your baby steps, and you'll probably find that as you carry on eating more healthily, the sodium will reduce anyway.

MyFriendLinn

I think the big problem with salt/sodium is we have too much of it. I was a totaly salt-aholic, and now I have very limited amounts of sea salt, a better choice, in my opinion. Problem is we are getting way too much salt, there is a ton of salt in processed foods, canned foods and even frozen food entrees. They also add a ton of salt into restaurant foods.

So if you are going to use salt, I'd check the daily count of salt is 2300 mg a day, if you are 1500 mg of salt is you are 51 or older. A spoonfull of salt is 2325 mg.

So, like you count calories, I would recommend, you also count the mg of salt. and check out sea salt.

Recovering Salt-aholice,