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salt: yes or no
Replies
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Your body needs salt. You will have serious and painful, possibly deadly, consequences if you don't get enough.
This isn't true. We need to consume sodium, not salt. Salt is just one way to get sodium. If you eat a well balanced diet you likely don't need any added salt, but unless you've been advised to abstain by a physician there is nothing wrong with adding it for flavor if you want.
Yes, that's true that it's actually sodium that we need.
But we do need to get enough of it or there are consequences which can cause pain and even death.
I mentioned in a different thread, a family member of mine was suffering severe leg cramps and one time even passed out during one of those attacks. The doctor discovered that his sodium level was far too low and prescribed salt pills to correct it, and told him to start adding more salt to his food. His habit previously had been to eschew salt because he didn't want to consume too much, but he ended up with the opposite problem.
Is there a big difference between ingesting sodium and ingesting sodium chloride?
Quoting myself because I found the answer to my question.
http://sodiumbreakup.heart.org/salt-vs-sodium-2/By weight, table salt is approximately 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride. About 90 percent of the sodium we eat is in the form of sodium chloride. The rest comes from other forms of sodium (like baking soda, which is the common name for sodium bicarbonate) that show up in our food. These sodium-containing ingredients are used in food to preserve it, enhance the color or give it a firmer texture, for example.
Too much sodium can hurt your heart. That’s why the American Heart Association recommends limiting the amount of sodium you eat to less than 1,500 mg per day for ideal heart health. That’s about two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt.
And:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/difference-between-salt-sodium-8358.htmlReducing your sodium intake takes more than just removing the salt shaker from the table, because most of the sodium in the average person’s diet comes from processed and packaged foods. When choosing these foods, take control of your sodium intake by reading the ingredient label. In addition to salt, sources of sodium include monosodium glutamate, MSG; sodium citrate; sodium nitrate; baking soda; sodium bicarbonate; and sodium benzoate.
Thank you @Need2Exerc1se for making me curious enough to learn something new!1 -
So what I understood is:
Salt is essential, but in moderation, like 2/3-1 teaspoon per day or what equals 2300 mg.
Sea salt is better than table salt? Certainly it looks better
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Your body needs salt. You will have serious and painful, possibly deadly, consequences if you don't get enough.
This isn't true. We need to consume sodium, not salt. Salt is just one way to get sodium. If you eat a well balanced diet you likely don't need any added salt, but unless you've been advised to abstain by a physician there is nothing wrong with adding it for flavor if you want.
Yes, that's true that it's actually sodium that we need.
But we do need to get enough of it or there are consequences which can cause pain and even death.
I mentioned in a different thread, a family member of mine was suffering severe leg cramps and one time even passed out during one of those attacks. The doctor discovered that his sodium level was far too low and prescribed salt pills to correct it, and told him to start adding more salt to his food. His habit previously had been to eschew salt because he didn't want to consume too much, but he ended up with the opposite problem.
Is there a big difference between ingesting sodium and ingesting sodium chloride?
IDK What constitutes a "big difference"? The difference is as big or little as it would be for any other nutrient source. Would you say "your body needs chicken" because your body needs protein and chicken is a source of protein?0 -
Salt is neither good nor bad. It's all about the dose.
Too little = bad, Too much = bad.4 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Your body needs salt. You will have serious and painful, possibly deadly, consequences if you don't get enough.
This isn't true. We need to consume sodium, not salt. Salt is just one way to get sodium. If you eat a well balanced diet you likely don't need any added salt, but unless you've been advised to abstain by a physician there is nothing wrong with adding it for flavor if you want.
Yes, that's true that it's actually sodium that we need.
But we do need to get enough of it or there are consequences which can cause pain and even death.
I mentioned in a different thread, a family member of mine was suffering severe leg cramps and one time even passed out during one of those attacks. The doctor discovered that his sodium level was far too low and prescribed salt pills to correct it, and told him to start adding more salt to his food. His habit previously had been to eschew salt because he didn't want to consume too much, but he ended up with the opposite problem.
Is there a big difference between ingesting sodium and ingesting sodium chloride?
IDK What constitutes a "big difference"? The difference is as big or little as it would be for any other nutrient source. Would you say "your body needs chicken" because your body needs protein and chicken is a source of protein?
I did find the answer to my question, as posted above. Basically I was wondering if you were just splitting hairs because the OP asked specifically about salt, and while I know sodium is what the body needs I didn't see any harm in saying that we need salt. So I decided to see where you were coming from and ended up with a clearer picture of the matter, for which I thank you.2 -
mayoosh_primrose wrote: »So what I understood is:
Salt is essential, but in moderation, like 2/3-1 teaspoon per day or what equals 2300 mg.
Sea salt is better than table salt? Certainly it looks better
Sea salt tastes different than table salt and can have a different texture. It's not demonstrably better or worse from a health standpoint presuming you're not needing to limit minerals that are found in either. If you're getting some of your essential iodine requirements from salt then you need to be using salt that's been iodized - pretty much all table salt, some sea and kosher salts.2 -
I try to eat less salt as I used to have high blood pressure (since resolved after 100lb loss). I had my bp taken yesterday before I donated blood and it was 107/91 and I've been getting dizzy if I was kneeling for more than a minute or two. My hubs thinks its because I eat too little salt now.1
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I never monitor salt. With what I eat I am usually good.4
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shinycrazy wrote: »I try to eat less salt as I used to have high blood pressure (since resolved after 100lb loss). I had my bp taken yesterday before I donated blood and it was 107/91 and I've been getting dizzy if I was kneeling for more than a minute or two. My hubs thinks its because I eat too little salt now.
It's quite possible, especially if you are active. But one should not just eat salt, but increase consumption of potassium, magnesium and calcium for complete electrolyte balance.
I don't worry about salt since I exercise hard and I typically sit at 4000-5000mg a day.2 -
I honestly care little about what any studies say/show, because I LOOOOOVE salt, and I have a very healthy/low blood pressure
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I think you need some sodium in your diet to live, but depending on your health, salt should be lowered.
Kidney and heart issues are two health issues that are recommended to lower your salt dramatically. My mom has heart failure and ever since she cut almost all salt out of her diet (2 decades) she's become healthier and her heart actually works at a higher % rate, which is astonishing to her doctors. I have two genetic diseases and kidney stones (separate from the two diseases), but when I cut salt out and up the H20 drastically, I get zero new stones and my blood pressure is 1000x better. So, it really depends. Don't douse your food in salt ever though. I wouldn't recommend that for anyone's health.1 -
Salt is the *kitten*.3
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Yes, you need salt. Without adequate sodium, you will get a goiter.0
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mayoosh_primrose wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »I have 8 different types of salt in my pantry. You can take my salt from my cold, dead hands.
I never knew there were so many types of salt in the first place 
Maybe just a pinch?
Prepare to have your mind blown:
In Japan at a very high end meal will often have salts for dipping tempura in.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d8/a3/4a/d8a34a5e8833393ba5dab970b1666d0d.jpg
These salts come in many different favors like green tea, ginger or wasabi. I'm sure there is many more types of salt that I've never heard of.4 -
Stop with the salt porn. Poor me can't even.6
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Only if you add it yourself. That is to say, avoid pre- fab foods and make your own. You retain control0
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Salt doesn't seem to make me puffy, and I have the blood pressure of a toddler, so I salt to taste.
Maybe someone has research that shows reasons to limit salt other than blood pressure, and if so, I'd be happy to see a link.1 -
lithezebra wrote: »Salt doesn't seem to make me puffy, and I have the blood pressure of a toddler, so I salt to taste.
Maybe someone has research that shows reasons to limit salt other than blood pressure, and if so, I'd be happy to see a link.
Next time you go to your doctor ask them what's the best thing food wise someone can do if they have heart failure or kidney issues in order to prolong their life and keep symptoms are bay. No salt or dramatically limiting salt will be their answer.
If you want research without asking your doctors, Google is your friend.
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Stop with the salt porn. Poor me can't even.
Hmmm ... In 2009 I was developing hypertension. My blood pressure was running 140+/90+. My doctor was ready to go to medications but I asked to give diet a chance first so he told me to cut the sodium. I worked at it hard, esp. I was spending short periods in Japan. But it worked to some extent .... 130s / ~88. Spring forward and 2012 on I'm living in Japan full time. My sodium intake is probably triple and last year my blood pressure was ~120/70. Huh?
Well the salt is up but so is my walking. In Japan I don't have a car. I guess it is sodium one absorbs when in a car that is the killer.
(For those that don't know that Japanese diet is high salt, high carbs, generally low fat and low sugar.)1 -
Leesa_Michelle wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Salt doesn't seem to make me puffy, and I have the blood pressure of a toddler, so I salt to taste.
Maybe someone has research that shows reasons to limit salt other than blood pressure, and if so, I'd be happy to see a link.
Next time you go to your doctor ask them what's the best thing food wise someone can do if they have heart failure or kidney issues in order to prolong their life and keep symptoms are bay. No salt or dramatically limiting salt will be their answer.
If you want research without asking your doctors, Google is your friend.
That's still a blood pressure issue, related to fluid volume in the blood and extracellular compartments. Most people don't have problems with salt and blood pressure. People who do should limit their salt intake.1 -
Stop with the salt porn. Poor me can't even.
Hmmm ... In 2009 I was developing hypertension. My blood pressure was running 140+/90+. My doctor was ready to go to medications but I asked to give diet a chance first so he told me to cut the sodium. I worked at it hard, esp. I was spending short periods in Japan. But it worked to some extent .... 130s / ~88. Spring forward and 2012 on I'm living in Japan full time. My sodium intake is probably triple and last year my blood pressure was ~120/70. Huh?
Well the salt is up but so is my walking. In Japan I don't have a car. I guess it is sodium one absorbs when in a car that is the killer.
(For those that don't know that Japanese diet is high salt, high carbs, generally low fat and low sugar.)
Congrats and I hate you.
I have similar BP stats which haven't changed after losing 177#, eating lower sodium, exercising, and following DASH. My GP doesn't feel my HBP is worth medication.2 -
lithezebra wrote: »Leesa_Michelle wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Salt doesn't seem to make me puffy, and I have the blood pressure of a toddler, so I salt to taste.
Maybe someone has research that shows reasons to limit salt other than blood pressure, and if so, I'd be happy to see a link.
Next time you go to your doctor ask them what's the best thing food wise someone can do if they have heart failure or kidney issues in order to prolong their life and keep symptoms are bay. No salt or dramatically limiting salt will be their answer.
If you want research without asking your doctors, Google is your friend.
That's still a blood pressure issue, related to fluid volume in the blood and extracellular compartments. Most people don't have problems with salt and blood pressure. People who do should limit their salt intake.
I have two genetic kidney diseases and they have zero to do with blood pressure. Alport syndrome and thin basement membrane. Kidney stones also have nothing to do with my blood pressure. Lowering my salt completely stopped me from getting new stones in my kidneys. After I reintroduced normal sodium levels into my diet I was hospitalized with two giant stones. I've tried this cycle twice, ending up in the hospital. Salt can be your enemy for more than just blood pressure.
Also, my mom never has had high blood pressure. Heart failure has nothing to do with blood pressure. She's had hard failure for over 20+ years and has never taken blood pressure meds or has had a blood pressure rate higher than 110/70. Lowering her salt made her heart work at a better %. I can't convince you, but that's what we know works. She should have been dead 10 years ago and I should have had a kidney transplant at 14 (I'm 25). So whatever were doing works and our primary concern is salt.2 -
Stop with the salt porn. Poor me can't even.
Hmmm ... In 2009 I was developing hypertension. My blood pressure was running 140+/90+. My doctor was ready to go to medications but I asked to give diet a chance first so he told me to cut the sodium. I worked at it hard, esp. I was spending short periods in Japan. But it worked to some extent .... 130s / ~88. Spring forward and 2012 on I'm living in Japan full time. My sodium intake is probably triple and last year my blood pressure was ~120/70. Huh?
Well the salt is up but so is my walking. In Japan I don't have a car. I guess it is sodium one absorbs when in a car that is the killer.
(For those that don't know that Japanese diet is high salt, high carbs, generally low fat and low sugar.)
Congrats and I hate you.
I have similar BP stats which haven't changed after losing 177#, eating lower sodium, exercising, and following DASH. My GP doesn't feel my HBP is worth medication.
Some people hang onto more salt than others. You've probably already tried cutting out caffeine and/or alcohol, stress reduction, increasing potassium, considered taking a mild, potassium sparing diuretic, and monitered your blood pressure at home to find your own triggers. On the plus side, your weight loss is amazing!0 -
Not all kidney diseases are the same though. My dad has an autoimmune kidney disease that pushed his blood pressure to 210/140. That's how they figured out to check his urine (we have a family history of this disease). Luckily they caught it at 60% functioning (usually it's at kidney dialysis level when caught) and now that it is under control his bp is normal. I have low bp 90/50 is my average but keep track. If it eventually goes high it's likely from this disease0
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singingflutelady wrote: »Not all kidney diseases are the same though. My dad has an autoimmune kidney disease that pushed his blood pressure to 210/140. That's how they figured out to check his urine (we have a family history of this disease). Luckily they caught it at 60% functioning (usually it's at kidney dialysis level when caught) and now that it is under control his bp is normal. I have low bp 90/50 is my average but keep track. If it eventually goes high it's likely from this disease
Oh, I'm definitely not saying every kidney disease is the same. Sorry if it came off that way. I can see how it may have. Mine are helped by reducing sodium though. The kidney diseases I have are extremely rare, so it's possible and probable that other kidney diseases aren't at all effected by sodium.0 -
His is rare too and apparently not hereditary but he has 3 first cousins who have had transplants because of the same disease so there has to be some genetic link0
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singingflutelady wrote: »His is rare too and apparently not hereditary but he has 3 first cousins who have had transplants because of the same disease so there has to be some genetic link
Just because his is rare doesn't make ours the same. That also doesn't mean genetic link. They'd have to have it checked out by a geneticist to get confirmation that it is in fact genetic.
All I know is that reducing my sodium to almost 0 has helped me get no new kidney stones. And my mother reducing her's to 0 has had her live a decade longer than expected. There are thousands upon thousands of kidney diseases. What works for me, may not work for others, but I will continue to do what works for me. I recon others should do the same.0 -
lithezebra wrote: »Stop with the salt porn. Poor me can't even.
Hmmm ... In 2009 I was developing hypertension. My blood pressure was running 140+/90+. My doctor was ready to go to medications but I asked to give diet a chance first so he told me to cut the sodium. I worked at it hard, esp. I was spending short periods in Japan. But it worked to some extent .... 130s / ~88. Spring forward and 2012 on I'm living in Japan full time. My sodium intake is probably triple and last year my blood pressure was ~120/70. Huh?
Well the salt is up but so is my walking. In Japan I don't have a car. I guess it is sodium one absorbs when in a car that is the killer.
(For those that don't know that Japanese diet is high salt, high carbs, generally low fat and low sugar.)
Congrats and I hate you.
I have similar BP stats which haven't changed after losing 177#, eating lower sodium, exercising, and following DASH. My GP doesn't feel my HBP is worth medication.
Some people hang onto more salt than others. You've probably already tried cutting out caffeine and/or alcohol, stress reduction, increasing potassium, considered taking a mild, potassium sparing diuretic, and monitered your blood pressure at home to find your own triggers. On the plus side, your weight loss is amazing!
Stress and genetics can't be avoided. I would have less stress if I didn't have to work around sodium with my eating choices. I remind myself that if I do go over sodium or have salt, I'm not going to die like people with real food-health issues.0 -
I get my salt on hard. I work out hard as well though. Before I started watching my carb intake, the combination of the two would cause bloating. Now that I'm low carb, no problems there and I get my salt fix.2
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