Sodium. Why do you care about it?

mearlie
mearlie Posts: 224
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I have low blood pressure and sometimes have to add salt to my diet. I generally add lite salt for the potassium but my bloodwork said I was a little higher than I need to be on potassium so I use kosher salt most of the time. I can actually "feel" when I'm low, but sometimes I do bother to get out the bp cuff and check it.

I see posts that a lot of people are "watching" sodium, and I assume they are trying to keep it low. I know that a lot of sodium is really bad for someone with high blood pressure, but most people don't talk about their blood pressure when they are tracking sodium so I was a wonderin'

Why do YOU track sodium?
Are you trying not to "hold onto" water weight?
Are you doing it because others are doing it?
Are you tracking sodium because you are following a program that says only get xx sodium?

And finally the reason I ask is because an endo TOLD me to eat more salt when I felt bad due to low BP, but another doctor scoffed when I told him the advice but wouldn't elaborate. So I'm NOT pointing fingers at all, in fact I wonder if the endo gave me some rotten advice! Sort of... he's the best endocrinologist I've ever had so ~
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Replies

  • stuntpilot51
    stuntpilot51 Posts: 53 Member
    I'm the same as you with low blood pressure.

    I don't worry about sodium even though I'm always way over.

    I'm a salt addict, I was also a sugar addict but I'm reformed now.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Too much sodium on a regular basis can lead to all sorts of health problems. I only track sodium as a trend. Some days I go way over, other days I am way under. It tends to even itself out.
  • CharityD
    CharityD Posts: 193
    You will be in the minority but lucky you!
  • SheilaN1976
    SheilaN1976 Posts: 266 Member
    i track sodium because i was diagnosed with high blood pressure back in 2009 and take 2 prescriptions daily for it. figure if i can keep it under control it will at least help a little.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I track it because I start having major kidney problems if I eat too much of it for more than a day or two.
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    I have high BP and I am super sensitive to it. If I have more than 1,000-1,500mg in a day, my feet and hands swell up like water balloons. Since I sit in an office chair for most of the day, my feet and calves are particularly prone to adema. It actually feels painful at times.
  • lovinmyselfagain
    lovinmyselfagain Posts: 307 Member
    I track it because of water retention and because, in general, it's just bad for you in high quantities. After reading this article recently, I changed my daily sodium goal to 1500mg. http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-kick-salt-habit?page=2

    Edited: Wrong link, although the above link gives great tips to reduce sodium intake. Correct link is http://www.prevention.com/node/26225
  • LorryGuthrie
    LorryGuthrie Posts: 113 Member
    I only track it because every time I am over in sodium, I swell up big time. I just seem to be more sensitive to getting too much sodium. I have noticed it does not affect others in the least. Just like everything else about diet, nutrition and exercise: it varies, depending on who you ask.

    Not worried about my BP, as I got off my BP meds over 6 months ago! Yay!! :D
  • Neeser926
    Neeser926 Posts: 100 Member
    I do not have high BP however I track my sodium because I swell very badly if I have too much. My ankles grow by about 2 inches. I didn't realize the connection until I started MFP. All the swelling disappeared after two days and only begins to puff up again on days I approach the 2500 mark for sodium.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    I track it because I normally have healthy BP levels, but if I don't have enough sodium during the day, especially with all the exercise I do my blood pressure tends to drop, and I end up feeling very dizzy, lightheaded and tired.
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224
    I track it because of water retention and because, in general, it's just bad for you in high quantities. After reading this article recently, I changed my daily sodium goal to 1500mg. http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-kick-salt-habit?page=2

    Thanks, I'm going to read this after I get the kids off to school!
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I watch it because too much causes me to swell. My feet and hands become tights and become unbearably uncomfortable.
    Popcorn, chips, frozen dinners, restaurant foods, canned foods.. simple things like that, regardless of how much water I drink, the salt affects me.
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224
    I only track it because every time I am over in sodium, I swell up big time. I just seem to be more sensitive to getting too much sodium. I have noticed it does not affect others in the least. Just like everything else about diet, nutrition and exercise: it varies, depending on who you ask.

    Not worried about my BP, as I got off my BP meds over 6 months ago! Yay!! :D

    That's AWESOME!
  • rjcelmer
    rjcelmer Posts: 431 Member
    I track it because I have had a long history of high blood pressure. I was on meds until about 4 months ago. On my normal checks I am right where I should be (sometimes a tad low but nothing to worry about) so I feel I am tracking it well and keeping it where I should.

    There are days when I know I am over but I try to balance it out the next day by keeping under a little extra.
  • willia123
    willia123 Posts: 60 Member
    Because I feel like crap if I have too much of it. I get terrible headaches and swell up. My fingers ache. I look terrible, lots of puffiness etc...plus, generally, things that contain a lot of sodium aren't things that I want to be consuming on any kind of a regular basis. Add in the health issues that can accompany it and there you go (at risk for diabetes etc...) I stay under 1000 for the most part and I feel good at that level.
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    I have low blood pressure and sometimes have to add salt to my diet. I generally add lite salt for the potassium but my bloodwork said I was a little higher than I need to be on potassium so I use kosher salt most of the time. I can actually "feel" when I'm low, but sometimes I do bother to get out the bp cuff and check it.

    I see posts that a lot of people are "watching" sodium, and I assume they are trying to keep it low. I know that a lot of sodium is really bad for someone with high blood pressure, but most people don't talk about their blood pressure when they are tracking sodium so I was a wonderin'

    Why do YOU track sodium?
    Are you trying not to "hold onto" water weight?
    Are you doing it because others are doing it?
    Are you tracking sodium because you are following a program that says only get xx sodium?

    And finally the reason I ask is because an endo TOLD me to eat more salt when I felt bad due to low BP, but another doctor scoffed when I told him the advice but wouldn't elaborate. So I'm NOT pointing fingers at all, in fact I wonder if the endo gave me some rotten advice! Sort of... he's the best endocrinologist I've ever had so ~

    I have no issues with blood pressure and I have never believed that sodium had anything to do with it. The reason I disagree with all the science and doctors is because my dad who has high blood pressure, they have on blood pressure medicine the doctor put him on atkins diet to lose weight. He was told he could eat any meat/fats, just little or no carbs, so he was eating "pizza" made with pork rinds. Yeah...THATs not going to hurt his heart AT ALL!!

    I limit my sodium in this way. I try not to eat a lot of processed foods and when I cook, I use celtic sea salt. I only care about sodium b/c if I get too much I swell; that is I can visibly see my fingers swell and my rings either won't go on or are tight. My pants might feel a little tight the day after as well. Basically, I retain water..maybe I'm a little more sensitive then other people, I don't know. I will say I never noticed it when I was heavier, but I notice it now that I weigh much less. I try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and I read labels if I'm buying something that is prepared.
  • lovinmyselfagain
    lovinmyselfagain Posts: 307 Member
    I track it because of water retention and because, in general, it's just bad for you in high quantities. After reading this article recently, I changed my daily sodium goal to 1500mg. http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-kick-salt-habit?page=2

    Thanks, I'm going to read this after I get the kids off to school!

    I posted the wrong link, although the above link gives great tips on how to reduce sodium. This link tells you why you should reduce your sodium. http://www.prevention.com/node/26225
  • knk1553
    knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
    I track it somewhat, but not really. Im like you, my blood pressure is on the low side (and like you I can actually feel it when it gets low, and if I stand up or move too quickly when its low I'll pass out). I've never had a doctor say anything to me about too much sodium intake or to watch it, and I also drink between 15-25 glasses of water a day, which I think helps even it out as well. I try to stay around 2500, but the world isn't going to end if I"m over, I just drink some more water to even it out. High blood pressure does run in my family, but its mainly due to being overweight and both my dad and aunt have been able to go off their medications by just losing weight. Healthcare providers are going to have different opinions on what to do, If you're worried about it, go get a 3rd opinion, but I would say to get one from a specialist, not a general practitioner, while they're awesome, they usually aren't the best when it comes down to specialization.
  • lesita75
    lesita75 Posts: 379 Member
    I don't have any health reaon to track sodium other that the fact that I swell up so badly when I'm in excess. I can't wear my rings or my watch. Sometimes I swell up so bad my shoes start to get tight. It is the most uncomfortable feeling. I've personally dropped my sodium intake to 2000 mg per day. I realize that wouldn't necessarily work for others; however, it is what works for me and I feel great since I made that change. Honestly, since I cut out the majority of processed foods I really don't have to worry about it anymore. But, when I go out to restaurants I watch it closely because if I'm not careful I know I can easily end up with 2500 mg + just from one meal.
  • ravengirl1611
    ravengirl1611 Posts: 285 Member
    I track it because I swell like a balloon if it gets up too high - but more because right now I have low bp and want to keep it that way. I also 'know' when I need to add some salt to the diet though when I start feeling too crappy. I've also had kidney issues in the past and want to keep those down to a minimum or even eliminate them entirely.
  • JustPeachy044
    JustPeachy044 Posts: 770 Member
    I track it b/c I think too much of anything is bad for you and I think in general Americans get too much sodium. Lots of processed foods touted as "low sugar" and "low fat" have added sodium for flavor. I tend to hold onto water and weigh more when I have too much! I also think it is a cheap way to add "flavor" to foods that don't have much delicious flavor of their own--it overpowers the natural flavor of foods that have plenty of good taste on their own. Not saying I don't use salt, I do, but sparingly to add just a little pizzazz to things like sliced tomatoes. But I think I am healthier and food tastes better since I have cut my sodium intake.
  • mooglysmom
    mooglysmom Posts: 319 Member
    Because my Mom has HBP even with tracking her sodium.

    Aslo, my joints seem to be stiffer when I get too much.

    And its just not all that great for you.
  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    My body collects a lot of water so I watch mine to keep it down x
  • briyowes
    briyowes Posts: 757 Member
    I started tracking sodium and stopped adding additional salt to my food at the beginning of the year. My family has a history of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is very prevalent in the African-American community. (http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/hypertension-in-african-americans). Having high blood pressure leads to a lot of other complications such as stroke and heart disease, also things that were present in my family. In fact, my mother, who had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of strokes, and heart disease died at age 55. As I started to look at my life as I turn 40 and what I could do to improve my health, losing weight and decreasing sodium intake were both at the top of the list. Since I have reduced my sodium intake I've learned to enjoy other seasonings for food. On the rare times when my sodium in higher than usual, like going out to eat, I can feel the effect because it causes me to retain water and get a bit of a headache. Fortunately, I do not have any health problems according to my checkup last week. All biometrics were normal and I'm happy for that. But I will continue to limit my sodium intake in order to keep everything that way.
  • amymichelle1226
    amymichelle1226 Posts: 150 Member
    There's just not that many health benefits to sodium! And I mostly try to use less of it at my house because my husband got several (yes, SEVERAL) kidney stones a few years ago and his doctor told him to cut sodium because that was a major factor for why he was getting them. He hasn't had one since and won't let me add salt to anything! :)
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I track sodium because I'm a salty and a sweet, which means that both my sugar and sodium consumptions have a tendency to spike leaving me with issues. The sugar is rather obvious, the salt makes me retain water leaving me feeling bloated and drained. It's difficult to explain, but when I have too much sodium I get the same sort of feeling in my legs I had when I was 8 months pregnant where they're always just a little tired and achey.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    I track mostly out of curiosity as I rarely add salt to my food anyway and it's been interesting to see how much sodium is in the foods I eat.
  • Kerri_is_so_very
    Kerri_is_so_very Posts: 999 Member
    I have no idea why I track it, other than just general awareness. Most days I don't eat processed foods, but it's easy to tell when you do due to high sodium levels. Also, pickles...OMG who knew?!?!?! LOL I love pickles, so disappointing to see how much is in those babies!
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224
    I track it because of water retention and because, in general, it's just bad for you in high quantities. After reading this article recently, I changed my daily sodium goal to 1500mg. http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-kick-salt-habit?page=2

    Thanks, I'm going to read this after I get the kids off to school!
    THANKS!
    I posted the wrong link, although the above link gives great tips on how to reduce sodium. This link tells you why you should reduce your sodium. http://www.prevention.com/node/26225
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224
    I have no idea why I track it, other than just general awareness. Most days I don't eat processed foods, but it's easy to tell when you do due to high sodium levels. Also, pickles...OMG who knew?!?!?! LOL I love pickles, so disappointing to see how much is in those babies!

    Sometimes I eat a pickle if I'm feeling low. Usually perks me right up! Salt Definitely makes me feel better when my bp is low.
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