How much salt

[Cassag]

I often hear that salt intake should be reduced . Each time i have my blood checked it reads low sodium and dr says take more . I am confused?

[BobD Volunteer]

If your doctor is telling you that you need more because you are depleted, what is the confusion? We are all different and you obviously need it.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Serum sodium is a measure of your electrolytes. It has nothing to do with dietary intakes of salt. Your body should keep your electrolytes within a very narrow range. Low serum sodium could be caused by drinking too much water too quickly, or it could be caused by other underlying conditions. If your serum sodium is only 1-2 points below range it’s probably nothing to worry about.

The reason why people are advised to limit their salt intake is because of the risks of high blood pressure. So it all depends on whether or not you have high BP. If you have lowish-normal BP it’s probably less important.

[Cassag in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thank you so much for explaining this for me. I thought it was because high salt caused a fib , didn't think of BP.

[Ppiman]

The science simply isn't there, or at least, it's controversial. It seems that too much salt can lead to hypertension, at least in a small number of people; and in people already with this, it can make it worse. This leads to calcification and strokes - again, this is still rather contentious, I gather. Unless things have changed the evidence is still not fully clear. It might be that other factors are at play, such as hydrogenated fats or food additives. It might therefore be that putting up with sometimes near flavourless foods as we all are at times isn't necessary.

In individual cases, it is known that salt depletion is a bad thing, hence your doctor's sage advice!

Steve

[Cassag in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for your reply .

[Belle11]

Some drugs can cause low salt levels - including proton pump inhibitors, antidepressants and diuretics. If you are taking any of these, it could be worth discussing with your doctor.

[Bodydoctor12]

I too have low serum salt and it doesn’t seem to matter how much I eat, the level hardly changes. I don’t have BP or cholesterol issues but I do have Afib, currently in NSR after a cardioversion. My doctor reaffirms each time that I should use more salt……I’m not sure why I don’t absorb it well, it’s obviously a quirk in my metabolism. I have had serious gut issues in the past due to a long standing undiagnosed parasite and perhaps I still have issues with cell wall permeability. I suspect it’s something to do with that.

I’d say listen to your doctor - it’s confusing as it’s not mainstream but some of us need more salt.

[Cassag in reply to Bodydoctor12]

interesting. I also have a problem raising magnesium levels to what the dr wants.

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to Cassag]

Same with me - I take it daily and yet the levels never really change, just inside the low end of the normal range 🤷🏻‍♀️

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Bodydoctor12]

Hi

Try obtaining a supplement which is sub linquel. I take my SOLGAR nugget

1.000ug x twice a week.

When I couldn't get my B12 in NZ I went low but 1 x daily for 3 weeks I am now at 700. Feel better.

I have no gall bladder. Removed 2000. Diagnosed B12 deficiency 2010.

Look at the Solgar range for vegetarians,

B12 by supplements that you swallow won't be absorbed.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes, I take a sublingual B12 daily.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Bodydoctor12]

Hi

Daily too much when I get to level I want.

I take 1 x nugget 1000ug x two days week only. Solgar sublingual.

You will be excreting over 900.

Cheri JOY

Nuts and seeds great for magnesium and potassium.

[RoyMacDonald]

Af can cause Atrial Natriuretic Peptide. Dr Google says "Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that regulates salt-water balance and blood pressure by promoting renal sodium and water excretion and stimulating vasodilation. ANP also has an anti-hypertrophic function in the heart, which is independent of its systemic blood pressure-lowering effect." Means you pee more than normal. Could that be the cause?

I suffer with it a lot and end up getting terrible muscle cramps in my legs because of it. I do have low blood pressure on the bright side of the issue though.

All the best.

Roy

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thanks Roy, this is really interesting - I’ll be checking this out .

[Cassag in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thank you . Learning something new every day. Explains why I seem to pour out heaps of fluid when in a fib. I have looked up some medical items. I wonder why this is never checked in blood tests.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Cassag]

Hi

Gee my blood tests are very variable over the minerals, vitamins, heart levels etc.

I know that B12 is quite separate to the 'regular blood test'. I ask for it now. I had it done by a female doctor who heard what my cousin was saying "a tremor in my hand".

Deficiency in B12 can cause ome's outer extremeties to fet 'essential tremor'. Special Doctor of Parkinson's said no, but a task showed that I had "essential Tremor'.

Neds are a Beta Blocker or a glass of red wine!

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ(

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Cassag]

I don't think this would show up in a blood test because it is the heart that is in control and secreting the hormone that tells the kidneys to dump water and as far as I know blood is not tested for hormones. And if it was tested it would need to be done while the heart was secreting the hormone.

All the best

Roy

[Cassag in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Interesting topic to research .