Is sodium really that important?

shorty35565
shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I dont have any medical problems & I normally can stay under the allowed 2500, but sometimes it's a REAL pain. Especially lately since I been trying to eat more protein, seems that my sodium is going up. I was just wondering if it's really that important to people with no blood pressure problems and the like.

Replies

  • YoshiZelda
    YoshiZelda Posts: 340 Member
    I'm not sure and have been wondering this myself. I actually go over my sodium most the time. But it does not seem to effect me, and my blood pressure is fine, so maybe that's why it does not effect me.
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member
    No it is not if you don't have medical issues. If you don't mind the scale capturing your water weight from time to time as well.
  • ashleymarie530
    ashleymarie530 Posts: 60 Member
    Sodium can make you retain water.

    I can really only say that if you do intake a lot of sodium then drink a lot more water. I'm not a trainer or nutritionist but that is what I have heard.
  • hastinbe
    hastinbe Posts: 130 Member
    When you're healthy and have normally functioning kidneys excess amounts of sodium passes through urine and perspiration; it is not stored.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    If you don't have issues with high blood pressure, then it's usually not a concern.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • wedge421
    wedge421 Posts: 224 Member
    The more sodium you ingest the more water you will retain. Your body will try to keep a metabolic equilibrium so it will over compensate for the sodium by retaining water. Your blood vessels rely on sodium and water to contract and expand when more blood is needed to various parts of the body. 9 times out of 10 though sodium is not a concern unless you have hypertension or are at risk for it. And only going over but a bit is not an issue at all. Its when you go over by say 2000mg everyday that it becomes an issue
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Its when you go over by say 2000mg everyday that it becomes an issue
    Don't know about that. Being Asian, myself and many family and friends EASILY go over 2500 a day since practically birth.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • tobnrn
    tobnrn Posts: 477 Member
    Sodium is only a problem if you have cardiovascular, kidney, or hypertension issues. Otherwise, it will just make you retain some water causing fluctuations on the scale. Prolonged high intake of sodium can cause hypertension, but not in all individuals. Drink plenty of water to flush out the excess sodium & you should be fine.
  • tobnrn
    tobnrn Posts: 477 Member
    Its when you go over by say 2000mg everyday that it becomes an issue
    Don't know about that. Being Asian, myself and many family and friends EASILY go over 2500 a day since practically birth.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Most physicians recommend 2500 for kidney patients, 3500 for cardiac patients. If you are neither I wouldn't worry about it.
  • dsco86
    dsco86 Posts: 11
    Try to have a balance of sodium and potassium and drink a lot of water.
  • jinjin8
    jinjin8 Posts: 220 Member
    I notice a bit more fluid retention when my sodium is 2500 or above, although I find drinking plenty of water over the day can negate this...
  • shorty35565
    shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
    I normally don't go over and I drink about 10 glasses of water a day. SO mayb I will b ok. Sometimes it hard to make everything work out & ur macros be where u want lol. Thanks guys.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    Drink more water, eat more potassium ... and enjoy.
  • lmwfrosty
    lmwfrosty Posts: 16 Member
    yes, yes it is. Having excess sodium in your diet is going to pull more fluid into your vasculature, damaging cell walls and forcing the heart to work harder (not in a good way). It also puts a strain on your liver and kidneys. Staying at approximately 2500mg a day is a good goal to have.
  • tobnrn
    tobnrn Posts: 477 Member
    Drink more water, eat more potassium ... and enjoy.

    Most people get enough potassium in their diets normally. Unless a Dr. has told you to eat more potassium it is never a good idea to increase potassium in a diet or take potassium supplements.

    1 extra banana or a cup of strawberries extra a day is not gonna cause any harm.
  • graveflower316
    graveflower316 Posts: 169 Member
    Apparently, most Americans consume roughly 3x the amount of suggested sodium than anyone else, so I think by staying in or around the suggest amount should be okay for your diet. You will retain more water that way, but just make sure to drink more water, so you can be well hydrated enough to not store a lot of water weight.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Don't know about that. Being Asian, myself and many family and friends EASILY go over 2500 a day since practically birth.
    No kidding: Many Asian condiments have ridiculous amounts of sodium.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    It depends on you. I tend to have lower blood pressure and if my sodium gets too low, it isn't pleasant.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,282 Member
    I have no problem with sodium....my blood pressure is normal and I dont seem to be retaining water. I do usually go over but not by that much. My thing is I love seafood...low or no carbs but high in sodium, of course. So far, so good, though. :)
  • ivikatasha
    ivikatasha Posts: 192 Member
    If you have no medical issues then you should be fine. I watch mine because high blood pressure runs in my family.

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