Help! Im not suppose to cut out sodium!

Chassity1987
Chassity1987 Posts: 36
in Food and Nutrition
Ok I dont add salt to my food as it is but my doc doesnt want me cutting out to much sodium. I'm cursed with low blood pressure (just as bad as high but no way to treat it). Since sodium helps keep it up I'm not allowed to cut out to much of it. Any ideas on how not to retain the water. ANyone else with this?

Replies

  • LokiOfAsgard
    LokiOfAsgard Posts: 378 Member
    Just drink plenty of water.

    Believe it or not, Sodium helps with hydration, so no one ever want to have too little. As long as you keep yourself hydrated, you should be fine.
  • jennkain97
    jennkain97 Posts: 290 Member
    drink lots of water!! sounds counter -intuitive, but your body won't hold on to it if it's getting enough. nothing else you can do really :/
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Did your doctor give you an amount to try and stay around? If so, great since you have something to work with. If not, maybe a call to the office can give you an amount to try and stay around.

    When you know an amount it's easy. Unless I go crazy with sodium I tend not to retain much but it varies with everyone. Even though you have to have sodium in your diet for medical reasons, try not to go overboard.

    Drink water, eat water rich foods and add in some tea to your day.
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    If you're a Republican, watch MSNBC.
    If you're a Democarat, watch FOX News.

    One of the two is bound to raise your blood pressure.
  • bonniecarbs
    bonniecarbs Posts: 446 Member
    Wow I envy this. In my younger days I had that problem so I had no worry about sodium. I blinked my eyes and I was older and had HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - like how that happened I wondered. the body will mess you up but good. Been watching my sodium for the past 22 years and its no fun at all. None.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    drink lots of water!! sounds counter -intuitive, but your body won't hold on to it if it's getting enough. nothing else you can do really :/
    So the doctor wants her to maintain her sodium levels, so you're suggesting she try to flush as much out of her body as possible?

    OP - no one should cut sodium out altogether, it's an essential mineral. It won't affect your fat loss. If you have a problem with bloating, I'd go back to your doctor and ask for advice. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hmm, never heard of anyone being told not to cut sodium for any reason other than low blood sodium levels. Also never heard that low BP is as dangerous as high BP. In fact, in otherwise healthy people low BP is usually not a concern. Unless you've been having symptoms, I'd suggest a second opinion.

    But to answer your question, bloating is caused by too much sodium and too low potassium levels. If you are bloating from sodium, then eating more sodium is unlikely to have much affect on your BP as you likely already have high blood sodium levels.
  • Chassity1987
    Chassity1987 Posts: 36
    Hmm, never heard of anyone being told not to cut sodium for any reason other than low blood sodium levels. Also never heard that low BP is as dangerous as high BP. In fact, in otherwise healthy people low BP is usually not a concern. Unless you've been having symptoms, I'd suggest a second opinion.

    But to answer your question, bloating is caused by too much sodium and too low potassium levels. If you are bloating from sodium, then eating more sodium is unlikely to have much affect on your BP as you likely already have high blood sodium levels.

    If mine gets to low (which is frequent) I will get very dizzy, sick to my stomach, headaches, and sadly will pass out if Im not paying attention to whats going on with my body. The reason it is dangerous is the passing out which can lead to injuries or if I was to be driving worse.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    drink lots of water!! sounds counter -intuitive, but your body won't hold on to it if it's getting enough. nothing else you can do really :/
    So the doctor wants her to maintain her sodium levels, so you're suggesting she try to flush as much out of her body as possible?

    OP - no one should cut sodium out altogether, it's an essential mineral. It won't affect your fat loss. If you have a problem with bloating, I'd go back to your doctor and ask for advice. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

    Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic liquids is usually recommended for people with low BP.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hmm, never heard of anyone being told not to cut sodium for any reason other than low blood sodium levels. Also never heard that low BP is as dangerous as high BP. In fact, in otherwise healthy people low BP is usually not a concern. Unless you've been having symptoms, I'd suggest a second opinion.

    But to answer your question, bloating is caused by too much sodium and too low potassium levels. If you are bloating from sodium, then eating more sodium is unlikely to have much affect on your BP as you likely already have high blood sodium levels.

    If mine gets to low (which is frequent) I will get very dizzy, sick to my stomach, headaches, and sadly will pass out if Im not paying attention to whats going on with my body. The reason it is dangerous is the passing out which can lead to injuries or if I was to be driving worse.

    I see. If your BP is that low I wouldn't think you'd have a problem with bloating from sodium. If you are bloating, are you sure it's from sodium and not something else?
  • cyberpixie
    cyberpixie Posts: 2
    I can relate. I have dysautonomia and take fludrocortisone to boost my BP and blood volume. I also need to intake a lot of salt (and fluids). Bear in mind your body needs a balance of potassium to the salt, this can cause bloating if you don't get enough. Drink lots, eat a little extra of potassium containing foods along withe extra salt and it should help. Works for me!

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