Sodium - What's it for? (Way below suggested intake.)

kck2013
kck2013 Posts: 6 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
Hi,

I've had a look at my today's diary entries and realized that my sodium intake is way below the recommendation; 550 instead of 2300. Todays food intake is typical for me. I have not noticed deficiency.

So what's all that sodium supposed to do in my body? How to notice a deficiency?

How to eat 1700 units of sodium without retreating to processed food or licking salt stones 24/7?

Any help is appreciated.

Replies

  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    edited November 2014
    Have a look here:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na+/K+-ATPase

    The only daily minimum I've ever found is about 500mg. Ask your doctor.
  • teecee60
    teecee60 Posts: 47 Member
    I'd love to know what you eat because I am trying to get my sodium lower but it seems that sodium is in everything!
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    teecee60 wrote: »
    I'd love to know what you eat because I am trying to get my sodium lower but it seems that sodium is in everything!

    My guess is that the OP is getting more than they think. Especially if they are using user entries from the MFP database. You will generally get more than enough from your food.
    Even fresh food.
  • Unknown
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  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Open your diary, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the database entries you're using may be understating the sodium content of your food (or you're just extraordinarily good about making everything from scratch)

    To your original question, without enough sodium you will die (it's frequently lack of electrolyte heart problems that kill anorexics). It is an essential electrolyte your body needs to function.

    You don't need 2,300mg, in fact many countries (other than the US) recommend limiting your daily intake to 1,500mg. Consider tracking your potassium too. While it's no uncommon for the average American (presumably Canadians and Europeans too) to consume 3 times the suggested maximum amount of sodium it's not uncommon for diets to be deficient in potassium (AHA and other credible sources I've read suggest 4,700mg for the average adult daily)



  • Boogs54
    Boogs54 Posts: 8 Member
    You may not notice low soduim but those around you will. My brother-in-law had an episode of low sodium and while on his honeymoon (He was in his early 60s) he was wondering around the woods of New Hampshire trying to give bears money for food, "because they need to eat too."

    He suffered from all kinds of delusions from very low sodium. I still have some of the crazy phone messages he left us before they finally figured out what was wrong with him.
  • jess0392
    jess0392 Posts: 1 Member
    edited November 2014
    The sodium suggestion of 2300 milligrams a day is not meant to be a suggested intake and is, instead, the suggested MAX intake per day. Per the CDC, the Adequate Intake (AI) for sodium is 1,500 milligrams daily for males and females ages 9-50.
    Symptoms of deficiency include nausea, dizziness, and muscle cramps.
    As the user stated above... you should check with your doctor as your personal medical history could shed more light into what your sodium intake should be for optimal health.
    http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09354.html
  • RockstarWilson
    RockstarWilson Posts: 836 Member
    edited November 2014
    The body uses it as an electrolyte. It is what helps the brain dictate muscle movement, and is a vital micronutrient in athletics and physical activity. If you don't move around, you won't notice a problem because there is little stress on the muscles.

    I eat a ton of sodium, as most of my meals are from animal sources. So, if you need to add sodium, just have a pickle. It is a virtually calorie-free way to boost sodium intake. As for me....I just have more cheese and bacon.
  • chalkietalkie1
    chalkietalkie1 Posts: 1
    I came here for the same reason. I just went and had a look again - some foods score a 0, which is nonsense as most foods have salt/Na in them. So I agree you are understating the true value, but I guess it gets really important if you do a lot of exercise, in which case they have electrolyte drinks. But having a low score here is much better than a high score.
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