Is sodium really bad?
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bikermike5094
Posts: 1,752 Member
my sodium is usually above MFP guidelines but i drink tons of water everyday.. so should I really be concerned with sodium content?
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I set mine at 1,500mg/day initially, and learned how to stay close to that by adjusting what I was eating. It helped to bring my blood pressure way down, and I began to lose weight much faster. I now have it set at 1,800 (still below the 2,500 that MFP suggests), and that change didn't seem to make a big difference.
I also have read that getting enough potassium along with limiting your sodium is at least as important as drinking water.
**edited...I still do go over from time to time, but try to average 1,800/day or less.0 -
I eat ALOT of sodium, but my doctor says my sodium levels are actually low? I'm curious to hear what others have to say about this subject...0
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can you combat high sodium intake by drinking more water and maybe taking a diuretic?0
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my blood pressure is already low, like sometimes too low. if i'm feeling faint, i go to mcd's, get fries and add salt to them. not even joking.
i set mine above where mfp set it because i need it that high to keep my blood pressure up.0 -
Sodium isn't bad, it's actually essential for life. Too much sodium generally points to a diet that has a lot of processed and fast foods and in that respect sodium is probably not the problem.0
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I learned my clinical nutrition class that most people aren't sensitive to sodium. However, at least 10% of the population is highly sensitive to it. Since there's no way to distinguish between those who will get high blood pressure on a high sodium diet and those who won't, it's recommended that everyone cut back on their sodium intake. So for most people on a relatively normal diet, sodium won't be an issue, but it's always good to be safe. I wouldn't worry about it too much if your blood pressure is well within the normal range.0
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My blood pressure was good even when I was 340 lbs. I don't think I have a sodium problem. I don't even really check my sodium intake. I don't own a salt shaker though. I suppose I get plenty from the food I eat. No need to add more. I'd be willing to bet genetics plays more of a role in high blood pressure than anything else, but that isn't saying monitoring your diet and sodium intake doesn't play a part. Just throwing my 2 pennies in there.0
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Sodium isn't bad - the daily recommended is 2500mg.. anything over that will just be removed by the body in urine.
Too much sodium will just make your body hold on to water, just don't get on the scale.0 -
Sodium isn't bad, it's actually essential for life. Too much sodium generally points to a diet that has a lot of processed and fast foods and in that respect sodium is probably not the problem.
Too much sodium can be bad, it can trap water around your heart which can cause your blood pressure to go high (since your heart will now have to use more power to beat) and it can harden your arteries. But we must have some sodium since its needed for many vital functions. Its recommended to have 1500 of sodium a day.0 -
Too much sodium can be bad, it can trap water around your heart which can cause your blood pressure to go high (since your heart will now have to use more power to beat) and it can harden your arteries.
Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard that explanation for high blood pressure...0 -
Sodium isn't bad, it's actually essential for life. Too much sodium generally points to a diet that has a lot of processed and fast foods and in that respect sodium is probably not the problem.
Too much sodium can be bad, it can trap water around your heart which can cause your blood pressure to go high (since your heart will now have to use more power to beat) and it can harden your arteries. But we must have some sodium since its needed for many vital functions. Its recommended to have 1500 of sodium a day.0 -
Sodium isn't bad, it's actually essential for life. Too much sodium generally points to a diet that has a lot of processed and fast foods and in that respect sodium is probably not the problem.
Too much sodium can be bad, it can trap water around your heart which can cause your blood pressure to go high (since your heart will now have to use more power to beat) and it can harden your arteries. But we must have some sodium since its needed for many vital functions. Its recommended to have 1500 of sodium a day.
I'm going to guess they mean the pericardium. But that's not that common. What's more common is excess sodium causes you to retain fluid, increasing blood volume, which leads to the heart having to work harder. Eventually this can lead to high blood pressure as the arteries are overworked. But like one poster said...high blood pressure is highly genetic.
That being said I wouldn't routinely go over sodium requirements and watch where your getting it from. You do need sodium to function but too much of it isn't that good either.0 -
Sodium isn't bad, it's actually essential for life. Too much sodium generally points to a diet that has a lot of processed and fast foods and in that respect sodium is probably not the problem.
Too much sodium can be bad, it can trap water around your heart which can cause your blood pressure to go high (since your heart will now have to use more power to beat) and it can harden your arteries. But we must have some sodium since its needed for many vital functions. Its recommended to have 1500 of sodium a day.
I'm going to guess they mean the pericardium. But that's not that common. What's more common is excess sodium causes you to retain fluid, increasing blood volume, which leads to the heart having to work harder. Eventually this can lead to high blood pressure as the arteries are overworked. But like one poster said...high blood pressure is highly genetic.
That being said I wouldn't routinely go over sodium requirements and watch where your getting it from. You do need sodium to function but too much of it isn't that good either.0 -
I don't know the complete science of it, but its a matter of getting the right balance of sodium and potassium. Those levels effect each or something like that... Betcha could google it if you were really interested in it.
edit: http://www.naturalnews.com/024539_potassium_sodium_diet.html (I googled it)0 -
Eat a consistent amount of sodium each day, your kidneys will be able to filter a regular sodium intake.
When you increase your sodium intake, the kidneys can't remove the excess it isn't use to filtering, so water is retained since water always follows salt. This increases blood volume and blood pressure.
However, if you consistently keep eating high sodium, your kidney's will compensate to remove that consistent amount.
I eat 10g of salt each day, my BP is 106/68
Salt is extremely essential for exercise0 -
my sodium is usually above MFP guidelines but i drink tons of water everyday.. so should I really be concerned with sodium content?
Yes, I think you should be. Too much can be bad for your health.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt/lower-sodium-and-salt/index.html#hazards-of-too-much-sodium0 -
If you're hydrating, your blood pressure is normal and you don't super bloat from eating salt, why not?
I usually go over by a 1000 or two, but I really have no reason to be concerned about sodium.0 -
can you combat high sodium intake by drinking more water and maybe taking a diuretic?
some diuretics strip you of potassium - potassium and sodium need to be pretty well balanced for your cells to be happy so I would be careful with that - also the more water you drink sometimes the more water you will retain.0 -
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My understanding is that too much sodium and sugar in your blood is what causes scrapes and tears inside your arteries, vessels and all that..that's how people that are dietetic sometimes lose their sight, how plaque build ups have a place to stick and get larger over time(a blockage), and the fun thing about a blood vessel swelling so much it bursts and you have a stroke. Yeah that's extreme but a lifetime of abuse can lead to serious problems. I had to learn the hard way.0
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