Is sodium really that important?

leebeebumble

I was always told that we intake too much sodium my whole life. Even though I HATE salty things and LOVE sweet things. I was told I get enough sodium through the things we eat every day. So imagine my surprise when I start my weight loss journey on MFP and it says I’m not getting enough sodium! What? How did this happen? So now I’m left wondering, how important is sodium in my diet and how do I intake the proper amount?

MichaelWms

Your body needs some sodium to function properly because it:

Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body
Helps transmit nerve impulses
Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles
Your kidneys naturally balance the amount of sodium stored in your body for optimal health. When your sodium levels are low, your kidneys essentially hold on to the sodium. When sodium levels are high, your kidneys excrete the excess in urine.

But if for some reason your kidneys can't eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases. Increased blood volume makes your heart work harder to move more blood through your blood vessels, which increases pressure in your arteries. Such diseases as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can make it hard for your kidneys to keep sodium levels balanced.

Some people's bodies are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. If you're sodium sensitive, you retain sodium more easily, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If this becomes chronic, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day — or 1,500 mg if you're age 51 or older, or if you are black, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Keep in mind that these are upper limits, and less is usually best, especially if you're sensitive to the effects of sodium. If you aren't sure how much sodium your diet should include, talk to your doctor.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284

leebeebumble

Thank you so much Michael! I on average have been in taking about 1,300 so very much on the low side, but I think I am doing just fine with that, no symptoms otherwise! Very helpful!

Annerk1

Keep in mind that if you are doing aerobic exercise and sweating a lot, you are excreting a lot of sodium that needs to be replenished. (Think about how your skin feels like it does after you swim in the ocean--that sticky feeling--or burns when you step into the shower from the salt activating with the water.) Gatorade can help, although it's got a lot of calories.