Question about Sodium consumption.

dollada06
dollada06 Posts: 41
in Health and Weight Loss
MFP suggests about 2500mg of sodium/day and I currently get around 3000mg which isn't off the charts high according to most sites i've seen, but obviously higher than they suggest. I was reading( on the internet so I am skeptical) that people who sweat more can take in more sodium. Well I sweat a ton. I have always been that way going back to sports in high school and college when I was in extremely good shape so I am not blaming my sweating [entirely] on me being out of shape. It is not uncommon for me to lose 4-5 lbs of sweat in a good hard workout wearing shorts and a mock-turtle neck type shirt.

My question is whether or not it is true that if you sweat more you can take in more sodium safely or was this just some crap on the internet with no legs behind it. If it is not true then I would like to alter my diet a bit and get my sodium lower. I understand that where I am now is probably not harmful given everything else is right where it needs to be, but I am just trying to keep things as close to the suggested levels as I can.

So is what I read true or a crock?

Replies

  • fattyfoodie
    fattyfoodie Posts: 232 Member
    Short answer? If you are sweating a lot, it's OK to have a little more sodium to balance your electrolytes.

    I do Bikram yoga 3-4 times a week. I sweat A LOT. I consume about 1800 mg of sodium a day.

    Personally I think 3000 mg daily is way too much. I think 2500 mg daily is way too much. The current recommendation for adults aged 14-50 is 1500 mg a day and no more than 2300 mg a day.
  • lisabundy5
    lisabundy5 Posts: 39
    Children and anyone with or family history of should consume no more than 1300mg/day. An average adult with no issues or family issues is 2500/mg a day. Obviously, a recommendation, but probably a good one since sodium makes you retain water and it's not great for the heart. There are good and bad days, just hopefully a bad day isn't terrible. Keep doing what you are doing, you should be ok! =)
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Some people are more sensitive to sodium than others. I stick to 1500, which is what the American Heart Association recommends. When I have more than that, I immediately see it in my water retention. When my husband does more, his blood pressure goes up (mine is very low).

    The more you sweat, the more salt you can eat and the more water you need.

    Some people NEED sodium. I have a friend who passes out without enough salt.

    If your blood pressure is okay and you're not retaining water, you sodium probably is too.
  • dollada06
    dollada06 Posts: 41
    Some people are more sensitive to sodium than others. I stick to 1500, which is what the American Heart Association recommends. When I have more than that, I immediately see it in my water retention. When my husband does more, his blood pressure goes up (mine is very low).

    The more you sweat, the more salt you can eat and the more water you need.

    Some people NEED sodium. I have a friend who passes out without enough salt.

    If your blood pressure is okay and you're not retaining water, you sodium probably is too.

    OK, here is a potentially dumb statement/question.

    I am losing weight and I urinate a a lot. Whenever I drink a lot of alco....water...ok both. I tend to urinate a lot. I am making the assumption that I am not retaining a lot of water then? Right..wrong?
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Some people are more sensitive to sodium than others. I stick to 1500, which is what the American Heart Association recommends. When I have more than that, I immediately see it in my water retention. When my husband does more, his blood pressure goes up (mine is very low).

    The more you sweat, the more salt you can eat and the more water you need.

    Some people NEED sodium. I have a friend who passes out without enough salt.

    If your blood pressure is okay and you're not retaining water, you sodium probably is too.

    OK, here is a potentially dumb statement/question.

    I am losing weight and I urinate a a lot. Whenever I drink a lot of alco....water...ok both. I tend to urinate a lot. I am making the assumption that I am not retaining a lot of water then? Right..wrong?

    Not necessarily. If you are drinking a lot, it is possible that you are retaining some and urinating some.

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