Sodium
NavajoGirl85
Posts: 164 Member
So I went to the doctor for dizziness upon standing. After we had a conversation she asked how much sodium o was taking in a day I told her about 1500 mg. She was surprised and said no no no you should be getting way more than that. I asked her how much and she said 4000 to get sodium levels back up and then no more than 2300! That is insane! Has anybody ever been told to consume that much sodium?
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Replies
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If you have low blood pressure, then yes you consume more sodium to raise your blood pressure. Which from your dizziness I would assume it the issue.9
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My blood pressure runs high so no for me, but a friend whose blood pressure is low has to keep her sodium up higher.1
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I crave sodium. For me, sodium is like chocolate is for other people. When I started tracking my sodium I was a little blown away at how much I consume every day, but my blood pressure's great, despite my weight. Just concerned about water retention with the amount I eat every day so I'm trying to watch that now, too.5
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Sounds fun! I suggest Chinese food.
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NavajoGirl85 wrote: »So I went to the doctor for dizziness upon standing. After we had a conversation she asked how much sodium o was taking in a day I told her about 1500 mg. She was surprised and said no no no you should be getting way more than that. I asked her how much and she said 4000 to get sodium levels back up and then no more than 2300! That is insane! Has anybody ever been told to consume that much sodium?
Yes. I have low blood pressure and no thyroid which makes balancing my electrolytes difficult. I have way more than that every day.1 -
If you are diagnosed hypertensive, keep sodium at 1500. If you are not diagnosed hypertensive, good science has demonstrated that daily intake of 5000 mg sodium is optimum for preventing cardio vascular disease.
Your doctor, advising a period of time at 4000, then 2300, is simply a little behind the times on her understanding. She wants to get you out of danger of hyponatremia, and then get you compliant with what she learned in medical school.1 -
My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.1
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I crave sodium. For me, sodium is like chocolate is for other people. When I started tracking my sodium I was a little blown away at how much I consume every day, but my blood pressure's great, despite my weight. Just concerned about water retention with the amount I eat every day so I'm trying to watch that now, too.
Yup - me too. But I do a lot of cardio, so I sweat it out.0 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
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fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I crave sodium. For me, sodium is like chocolate is for other people. When I started tracking my sodium I was a little blown away at how much I consume every day, but my blood pressure's great, despite my weight. Just concerned about water retention with the amount I eat every day so I'm trying to watch that now, too.
Yup - me too. But I do a lot of cardio, so I sweat it out.
That's the thing I'm worried about though. I do some cardio but not anything that I sweat a lot. I work mostly everyday but I don't do any heavy sweating. I would hate to feel so bloated and gain 10 pounds of water weight because I have tried so hard to get to my weight, and still have some to lose.0 -
fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
I know. She didn't seem to have anything to say about my sodium until I told her that I struggle to get to 1500 mg a day. She acted like she has never heard anybody say a number that low before. She said my blood pressure is fine now but with dizziness upon standing sounds like low blood pressure. And with that blood pressure number I'm still having dizziness upon standing.0 -
So my wife actually needs 10,000mg of sodium per day... yes, that is not a typo. But she has POTS, so she burns through electrolytes like crazy.NavajoGirl85 wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
I know. She didn't seem to have anything to say about my sodium until I told her that I struggle to get to 1500 mg a day. She acted like she has never heard anybody say a number that low before. She said my blood pressure is fine now but with dizziness upon standing sounds like low blood pressure. And with that blood pressure number I'm still having dizziness upon standing.
Out of curiosity, what is your aversion to trying to eat 4000mg of sodium per day? Sodium doesn't cause hypertension or anything. It an electrolyte which is critical to maintaining proper bodily functions.
Drinking a lot of water + eating very little sodium can cause a lot of issues... dizziness being one of them. It's from your electrolytes being diluted and causing an imbalance.
BTW, if you are afraid of bloating, increase potassium and magnesium. It will provide balance to your electrolytes and prevent bloating.3 -
Actually that 5000 number has only been produced in two studies by one organization. It's not best practice at this time- other groups need to be able to reproduce the studies, which so far hasn't been done.JeromeBarry1 wrote: »If you are diagnosed hypertensive, keep sodium at 1500. If you are not diagnosed hypertensive, good science has demonstrated that daily intake of 5000 mg sodium is optimum for preventing cardio vascular disease.
Your doctor, advising a period of time at 4000, then 2300, is simply a little behind the times on her understanding. She wants to get you out of danger of hyponatremia, and then get you compliant with what she learned in medical school.
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fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
Depends on your age. But it's not scary low.0 -
So my wife actually needs 10,000mg of sodium per day... yes, that is not a typo. But she has POTS, so she burns through electrolytes like crazy.NavajoGirl85 wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
I know. She didn't seem to have anything to say about my sodium until I told her that I struggle to get to 1500 mg a day. She acted like she has never heard anybody say a number that low before. She said my blood pressure is fine now but with dizziness upon standing sounds like low blood pressure. And with that blood pressure number I'm still having dizziness upon standing.
Out of curiosity, what is your aversion to trying to eat 4000mg of sodium per day? Sodium doesn't cause hypertension or anything. It an electrolyte which is critical to maintaining proper bodily functions.
Drinking a lot of water + eating very little sodium can cause a lot of issues... dizziness being one of them. It's from your electrolytes being diluted and causing an imbalance.
BTW, if you are afraid of bloating, increase potassium and magnesium. It will provide balance to your electrolytes and prevent bloating.
I just know that when I eat so much sodium that it causes so much bloating. Even if I just eat 2300 mg of sodium I will gain 3 pounds in a day with the water weight and it takes over a week of low sodium to get back to normal. I usually get about 1000 mg of potassium a day because I find it hard to get anymore than that without going over my calories. I have never tried magnesium though so thanks for that, I'll add a supliment.
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NavajoGirl85 wrote: »So my wife actually needs 10,000mg of sodium per day... yes, that is not a typo. But she has POTS, so she burns through electrolytes like crazy.NavajoGirl85 wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
I know. She didn't seem to have anything to say about my sodium until I told her that I struggle to get to 1500 mg a day. She acted like she has never heard anybody say a number that low before. She said my blood pressure is fine now but with dizziness upon standing sounds like low blood pressure. And with that blood pressure number I'm still having dizziness upon standing.
Out of curiosity, what is your aversion to trying to eat 4000mg of sodium per day? Sodium doesn't cause hypertension or anything. It an electrolyte which is critical to maintaining proper bodily functions.
Drinking a lot of water + eating very little sodium can cause a lot of issues... dizziness being one of them. It's from your electrolytes being diluted and causing an imbalance.
BTW, if you are afraid of bloating, increase potassium and magnesium. It will provide balance to your electrolytes and prevent bloating.
I just know that when I eat so much sodium that it causes so much bloating. Even if I just eat 2300 mg of sodium I will gain 3 pounds in a day with the water weight and it takes over a week of low sodium to get back to normal. I usually get about 1000 mg of potassium a day because I find it hard to get anymore than that without going over my calories. I have never tried magnesium though so thanks for that, I'll add a supliment.
In the end, it's just water weight. The same thing happens when you work out. But increasing pot/mag and drinking plenty of water should balance most of it. But you may have to live with a few more lbs of water weight to prevent dizziness. But if you want to mitigate that, you can cut carbs a bit and increase fats.3 -
I had to take my dad to the emergency room once, years ago, when he suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure. He was living with his parents at the time, and Grandma was cooking everything with very low sodium to help with Grandpa's blood pressure, and low sodium was the only possible culprit that showed up in Dad's blood work. The doctor prescribed an anchovy pizza.9
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I had to take my dad to the emergency room once, years ago, when he suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure. He was living with his parents at the time, and Grandma was cooking everything with very low sodium to help with Grandpa's blood pressure, and low sodium was the only possible culprit that showed up in Dad's blood work. The doctor prescribed an anchovy pizza.
Me likes that doctor!
I have low blood and need to eat a diet higher in sodium (around 5000mg/day) to feel mostly human. Add female hormones to the mix and my weight can go up/down a good 5-8lbs per day. It's just something I have to live with and it's by far preferable to passing out at random moments because I moved my head too fast.2 -
My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg1 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »Has anybody ever been told to consume that much sodium?
No. I don't have a medical problem and have trouble getting below 2,300 mg anyway because I like salty foods though.
If your doctor's advice doesn't make senseto you talk to them or consult another doctor.
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I started 3 months ago and once I heard about sodium I decreased it and was feeling okay. Then I slowly added more just to see how I would do and it seemed to be okay until about 3 weeks ago is when I started to feel dizzy when standing up. It's more so in the morning and early afternoon, not so much in the evening. So my doctor said that I was feeling okay because I had enough sodium but with the amount of water I am drinking and the so little sodium I'm eating my body is depleted. I asked her if that would show up on the tests and she said not necessarily. She said sometimes it takes a little while to show up and that I might not of been so depleted when I took the tests. However, I was feeling the same dizziness before the blood tests that I am feeling now yet she said my sodium levels look okay. It just doesn't make sense. She even had me take a urine test.0
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johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.0 -
fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »My blood pressure was low four days ago when I went so she ordered labs. I had a checkup today and she said that she didn't see anything in my labs that was a concern. My blood pressure today, after walking 20 feet and sitting down for a few minutes was 126 over 78. She asked what I was getting a day and I told her I struggle to get over 1500 mg a day with the food choices I have been making because of counting calories and she said, " No no no. Your body needs way more sodium than that." So she said to drink 2.5 liters of water a day and increase to 4000 mg a day and to come back in a week or so to see how I'm doing. I asked her if my sodium woukd decrease after that and she said it depended but 2300 is ideal to most doctors, unless they have high blood pressure.
Hmmm...that is definitely not low. I dunno. I might change doctors.
Depends on your age. But it's not scary low.
I am 31 currently at 192 pounds.0 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.1 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.
That's what I'm hoping for. I use to go walking 2 times a week and I would use my stationary bike 5 days a week. I haven't worked out in almost a week and I feel like I'm slacking.0 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.
That's what I'm hoping for. I use to go walking 2 times a week and I would use my stationary bike 5 days a week. I haven't worked out in almost a week and I feel like I'm slacking.
So those 2300mg guidelines are for sedentary people. When you become more active, you need more sodium. Below is a pretty good video on sodium from Dr. Layne Norton. He has a PhD in nutritional science and is well known and holds records (or did) in the powerlifting/bodybuilding communities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbKk9tbNrfQ 1 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.
That's what I'm hoping for. I use to go walking 2 times a week and I would use my stationary bike 5 days a week. I haven't worked out in almost a week and I feel like I'm slacking.
So those 2300mg guidelines are for sedentary people. When you become more active, you need more sodium. Below is a pretty good video on sodium from Dr. Layne Norton. He has a PhD in nutritional science and is well known and holds records (or did) in the powerlifting/bodybuilding communities.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbKk9tbNrfQ
I have my activity level at lightly active and that's what it gives me. Unless of course that is what mfp calculates for everyone due to recommended maximum intake.0 -
Thanks for the video!0
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NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.
That's what I'm hoping for. I use to go walking 2 times a week and I would use my stationary bike 5 days a week. I haven't worked out in almost a week and I feel like I'm slacking.
So those 2300mg guidelines are for sedentary people. When you become more active, you need more sodium. Below is a pretty good video on sodium from Dr. Layne Norton. He has a PhD in nutritional science and is well known and holds records (or did) in the powerlifting/bodybuilding communities.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbKk9tbNrfQ
I have my activity level at lightly active and that's what it gives me. Unless of course that is what mfp calculates for everyone due to recommended maximum intake.
Honestly, i dont pay attention to most of MFPs recommendations for nutrients, especially since i workout. I aim for 4 to 6k. My blood pressure doesn't change from it. Still 110/701 -
NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »NavajoGirl85 wrote: »johnneedhamSr wrote: »My daily MINIMUM goal is 5,000. That is for an highly active workday, and being on Keto.
My last 6 days
3/23-6,063mg
3/24-9,034mg
3/25-6,341mg
3/26-4,419mg
3/27-6,890mg
3/28-10,071mg
At this point I've not really been working out lately because of the dizziness so I have no way to rid my body of the excess sodium.
If you get rid of the dizziness, you can start working out.
That's what I'm hoping for. I use to go walking 2 times a week and I would use my stationary bike 5 days a week. I haven't worked out in almost a week and I feel like I'm slacking.
So those 2300mg guidelines are for sedentary people. When you become more active, you need more sodium. Below is a pretty good video on sodium from Dr. Layne Norton. He has a PhD in nutritional science and is well known and holds records (or did) in the powerlifting/bodybuilding communities.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbKk9tbNrfQ
I have my activity level at lightly active and that's what it gives me. Unless of course that is what mfp calculates for everyone due to recommended maximum intake.
It is. MFP doesn't take into account activity level when calculating the sodium. It's the blanket recommendation for everyone.
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