Sodium? How little is ''not enough?''

diadojikohei
diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So Sodium-
I have been cutting down because I have had very high blood pressure for the last few years. So far the doc has tried 6 different types of medication and I am on a combined prescription of 3 different types. This seems to be keeping it under control atm.
My daily intake of sodium is now down to 600 on the lowest days and 800 on other days.

My question is how low is too low? I know you need sodium but how I can't find anywhere that tells me.

I have mitral valve prolapse so I get irregular and jumpy heart beats anyway.

Thanks.

Replies

  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    good grief! It's fallen off the board in 3 minutes! What a busy lot of posters you are! lol!
  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    I'm getting lonely here!
  • SwimBikeRunMama
    SwimBikeRunMama Posts: 32
    I would say as long as you feel okay, you're probably okay. The National Academy of Sciences recommends staying above 500mg/day, which you are. Make sure you're getting plenty of potassium as well, and exercising. If you get crampy when exercising, you might need to increase your sodium a little.
  • SeaChele77
    SeaChele77 Posts: 1,103 Member
    "The minimum requirement of sodium for successful cell function is about 500 mg/day. Most people get much more than this due to regular consumption of processed foods. Excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure; therefore, the recommendation is to consume less than 2,300 mg/day."

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/4733-need-low-sodium-symptoms/#ixzz26vDIZhvq
  • SuperstarDJ
    SuperstarDJ Posts: 442 Member
    I would say as long as you feel okay, you're probably okay. The National Academy of Sciences recommends staying above 500mg/day, which you are. Make sure you're getting plenty of potassium as well, and exercising. If you get crampy when exercising, you might need to increase your sodium a little.
    I agree. If you are exercising a lot, especially on the heat (and therefore sweating a lot) then it would be worth adding a tiny bit more maybe? It would be best to check with your doc though. I've had low sodium levels (which can be potentially dangerous) as a result of a combination of low intake, drinking FAR too much water, exercising... A simple blood test will determine where your levels are at.

    Well done on bringing it right down though!
  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    I would say as long as you feel okay, you're probably okay. The National Academy of Sciences recommends staying above 500mg/day, which you are. Make sure you're getting plenty of potassium as well, and exercising. If you get crampy when exercising, you might need to increase your sodium a little.

    Thanks for the info, I can't take potassium supplements because of the medication, but I have a banana every day, sometimes 2, 40g of dried apricots and an avocado, I also eat seeds and nuts to keep the potassium levels up. So far haven't had any cramps although I used to get cramp in the night in my legs, toes and thighs.
  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    I would say as long as you feel okay, you're probably okay. The National Academy of Sciences recommends staying above 500mg/day, which you are. Make sure you're getting plenty of potassium as well, and exercising. If you get crampy when exercising, you might need to increase your sodium a little.
    I agree. If you are exercising a lot, especially on the heat (and therefore sweating a lot) then it would be worth adding a tiny bit more maybe? It would be best to check with your doc though. I've had low sodium levels (which can be potentially dangerous) as a result of a combination of low intake, drinking FAR too much water, exercising... A simple blood test will determine where your levels are at.

    Well done on bringing it right down though!

    I don't need to worry about the heat, I live in the UK!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Oh no! Glad I read this, I think some days I might actually have to get more salt in.
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    Even in the UK/cold places, it can be an issue.... Like the other poster who mentioned it, exercise, low general consumption of sodium and drinking a lot of water can pose a problem for me, here in London, to the extent that I have fainted a couple of times when I have not balanced those three factors! Just something to be aware of...
  • ClearNotCloudyMind
    ClearNotCloudyMind Posts: 238 Member
    I have this issue. We only eat homemade food and add no salt due to littles in the house. After a bout of exercise I often find myself dealing with horrid leg/foot cramps and we've narrowed that down to lack of salt in our diet. Now try to eat a banana and add salt to my dinner when I remember on days when I've done an hour or more on the bike or horse.
  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    I have this issue. We only eat homemade food and add no salt due to littles in the house. After a bout of exercise I often find myself dealing with horrid leg/foot cramps and we've narrowed that down to lack of salt in our diet. Now try to eat a banana and add salt to my dinner when I remember on days when I've done an hour or more on the bike or horse.
    A few years ago my doctor told me to drink a glas of tonic water each evening apparently the small amount of quinine can help stop cramps. I think the gin is optional! lol!

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