Why is the recommended sodium intake a constant value?

Ms_J1
Ms_J1 Posts: 253 Member
edited March 6 in Food and Nutrition
I don't understand why the RDA for sodium is always the same regardless of exercise. It seems to me that the more you exercise, the more you sweat; the more you sweat, the more sodium you deplete; the more sodium you deplete, the more sodium you need replaced.

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    It's based on the CDC's RDA. Also, not all activity induces sweating to the same degree. You can have equal calorie burns without equal sodium loss.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    How do you propose to resolve this perceived issue?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    http://www.slowtwitch.com/Training/General_Physiology/The_Math_of_salt_loss_1093.html
    TL;DR in endurance athletes they need extra sodium at the earliest of two hours worth of intense exercise, but definitely after four hours.
  • mfp2014mfp
    mfp2014mfp Posts: 689 Member
    I've wondered the same thing OP, sodium deficiency is extremely rare, generally speaking most people who have a sodium deficiency have an electrolyte disorder. Ongoing physical activity in extreme weather where you dehydrate can cause electrolyte loss, but it has to be extreme for sodium to be highly effected and it is easliy replaced.

    If you get bloodwork from your Doctor at your annual it will have sodium/potassium counts etc. Ask them for a copy, it's interresting stuff :)

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