About Low Sodium Diets
The average adult American eats at least 5 tsp. of salt every day. This amount is nearly twenty times the amount of sodium the body needs to properly function. High levels of sodium are found in a variety of foods, both natural and processed foods. Excess sodium is proven to be detrimental to health and can contribute to the development or worsening of a variety of serious medical conditions. Low-sodium diets work by reducing daily sodium consumption and restoring the body's optimum salt-to-water ratio.
Significance
Excessive intake of sodium has been linked to a number of diseases and medical conditions, including stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure and edema. When the body's sodium levels are too high, fluid is retained. This can result in swelling of the feet and legs and fluid collection around the lungs. Low-sodium diets are an essential part of treatment for many people with these medical conditions. Some experts even argue that all adults should reduce their dietary intake of sodium in order to prevent future health complications from ever developing. The recommended daily dose of sodium depends on age, activity level, ethnicity and a variety of other factors.
Function
Sodium is a mineral essential to the proper functioning of the body. The human body, when healthy, is able to adequately regulate its own levels of sodium without dietary intervention. However, in some people, such as the elderly and those in poor overall health, eating a diet high in sodium can cause the body to retain too much fluid. This can be especially harmful in people suffering from heart disease or high blood pressure. A low-sodium diet reduces the likelihood of harmful fluid retention and edema. By reducing dietary intake to 3,000 mg of sodium per day, most people will experience health benefits such as lower blood pressure. Some individuals may need to restrict their total amount of sodium to even lower levels, such as 2,000 mg per day, before any positive health benefits are experienced. The objective of a low-sodium diet is not to completely eliminate sodium from the diet, but to reduce the total amount consumed.
Considerations
Excess sodium may contribute to a number of health conditions, but sodium is not all bad. It controls the fluid balance inside the body and works to maintain blood volume. The ratio of salt to water in the body is critical to metabolism, and salt maintains the balance of electrolytes both inside and outside of cells. Without sodium, the human body cannot function.
Misconceptions
Many patients fail to begin or adhere to a low-sodium diet due to the misconception that reduced salt means reduced flavor. This is not always the case, and many low-sodium foods are both healthy and tasty. A variety of herbs and spices can be used in lieu of sodium that will increase flavor without compromising health. Moreover, a plethora of low-sodium foods are now available in most grocery stores, and are designed to be as flavorful as their high-sodium counterparts.
Warning
Because sodium is essential to a number of metabolic processes in the human body, severely restricting sodium intake may actually be detrimental to optimum health. A low-sodium diet should only be started under the guidance of a medical professional or nutritionist. Is it important to remember that the body loses higher amounts of sodium during times of increased activity and sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. Medical conditions that cause increased urination, such as diabetes or kidney disease, may also result in greater excretion of sodium. According to The National Academy of Sciences, adults should consume a minimum of 500 mg per day of sodium to avoid potential problems and maintain optimum health.
Tags: low-sodium diet, blood pressure, human body, intake sodium, medical conditions
