The recommended maximum intake level for sodium is 2,400 mg, (about 1 teaspoon) per day. The average American gets AT LEAST 3,400 mg, (about 1.5 teaspoons) per day. This salt is coming not only from the shaker on the table, but it's also in everything from cereal to some spices. Check out this slide show from WebMD for a quick lesson on sodium and where it hides and here's a look at the salt content in fast food. Sodium also occurs naturally, in small amounts, in fruits, vegetables and meats and... it is essential to life! But, more is not always better!
Besides it's effects on blood pressure, salt also contributes to a net acid load in the body, as do grains, dairy and meats. The body needs to maintain an alkaline (base) environment and must buffer the acid from the chloride portion of salt. This can be accomplished by eating lots of fruits and vegetables and with calcium, magnesium, and potassium stored in the body, if fruit and vegetable intake is inadequate. Acid-base imbalances lead to the development of osteoporosis (due to calcium being stolen from bones to buffer the acid load), high-blood pressure, stroke, kidney stones, asthma, stomach cancer, insomnia and motion sickness.
I often see and work with people that believe they are eating 'Paleo' or 'Clean' but use and eat generous amounts of sea salt, soy sauce, deli meats, canned tomatoes, salted nuts, etc... There are lots of salt free flavoring options out there too. Try lemon or lime juice, fresh or dried herbs, coconut oil, olive oil, or just enjoy the food you are eating for its natural flavor - you might be suprised at how good it is!
Are you going to rethink your 'salty' habits or just take this with a 'grain of salt'???
Comments...
Posts
http://www.nasw.org/awards/1999/99Taubesarticle1.htm
ReplyDeleteDoes salt really affect high blood pressure?
While I agree that sodium from processed founds should definitely be avoided (by, ahem, just avoiding processed foods) the salt issue if far more political than one realizes. In fact, it may even trump the dogma of cholesterol.
ReplyDeleteThe insulin-->aldosterone connection is far, far more relevant to hypertension than sodium (even though sodium IS a player in that system); researchers, politicians, and unfortunately, conventional medicine practitioners, are insanely myopic when it comes to these issues.
As a side note, the addition of sodium would decrease the overall PRAL, therefore add to alkanization, would it not?
David and Mike - I agree that the link is questionable as a generalization, but there are some individuals that are salt sensitive. Also, some salt is not bad, but as in all things we seem to be a nation addicted to excess!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the 'avoid processed foods' recommendation and am not sold on the whole high salt = high blood pressure arguement. I actually did my undergraduate senior thesis on the topic.
And to address the PRAL issue - the sodium is alkaline - it's the chloride portion that contributes to the acid load.
Read Dr. Cordain's take on salt intake in The Paleo Diet for more information.
Thanks for the comments-
-Amy
Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification (should have been a slap to the forehead) on the sodium vs NaCl. Back to basic chem for me! :)
I don't know if you'd be willing, but I'd love to read your thesis on hypertension.
I would question the FDA. We don't believe their nutritional pyramid and eating healthy whole grains to lower cholesterol ect... why this?
ReplyDeleteI'm just opening a bag of worms.
P.S. I love your blog, Amy!
3 Studies SHOW Why Coconut Oil Kills Belly Fat.
ReplyDeleteThis means that you literally get rid of fat by eating coconut fat (also coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).
These 3 researches from major medicinal magazines are sure to turn the conventional nutrition world around!