Sodium, Potassium & Iron

elelynjanv
elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
edited November 29 in Food and Nutrition
I was quite low in my intake of these three important minerals, and the same day I was very low in energy. What can I do to boost the levels of these minerals?

Replies

  • Q_Is_Poison
    Q_Is_Poison Posts: 203 Member
    Ask your doctor about potassium supplements and a women's multi-vitamin.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    One day being low on those minerals won't make a difference. I would just eat normally and if you are still concerned have a blood test to see what your levels are.
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    Thanks for your reply, I'lI have to do that soon...
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Iron and sodium counts from MFP might, notice might, be accurate since they need to be included in nutritional information labels. Potassium is not required, so the number here on MFP is no accurate in any way. So my question is how do you know you are low?
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    rileysowner - I went by my daily goals in these, then compared them with my totals. I was about half way in all of them.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    If you are using this site, realize that, as I said the potassium number is useless. Spinach is high in potassium, but most spinach entries don't include it. Even iron would depend on people entering the information when the entered the food item calories, so I would suggest looking to make sure the database entries you are using include the iron information. Sodium is just a matter of adding a little salt or eating one salty thing in a day. Iron would be easiest to increase with red meats or liver.
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    I was 1,133 mg low in sodium, 1,533 mg low in potassium and 45% like in my iron according to MFP's goal projections.
  • Q_Is_Poison
    Q_Is_Poison Posts: 203 Member
    Get your tested. Ask your doctor to check for the specific things you mentioned. Then make a plan.
  • Q_Is_Poison
    Q_Is_Poison Posts: 203 Member
    I meant to say, get your blood tested.
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    Rileysowner - thanks for your input. I'll have to compare the packaging with what actually was entered. Oh, and the thing about salt.... my doctor told me years ago when my blood pressure was low to add more salt to my food! Not to often you hear that from a doctor! Lol
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    edited February 2016
    elelynjanv wrote: »
    I was 1,133 mg low in sodium, 1,533 mg low in potassium and 45% like in my iron according to MFP's goal projections.

    As I said, ignore the potassium, the number on MFP is worthless since it is not required on nutrition labels. It is highly unlikely you are low in it.

    The default sodium level here is 2300mg, the recommendation is the maximum, and the amount generally suggested is to try to have 1500mg a day maximum. Unless you sodium level is really low say 500mg or less a day, you probably don't have an issue there either.

    Iron you may have issue with. As I said red meats and liver are high sources. Many women need to supplement.

    As has been stated, if you are really concerned, get a blood test to find out if you a deficient.
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    All good tips, thanks again!
  • elelynjanv
    elelynjanv Posts: 10 Member
    Looks like my sodium is fine then, I have been low in iron before, so will have to focus again in foods higher in iron.
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