Sodium Intake

[Odie 249]

I've been tracking everything I eat and drink with the food Diary App on this site and I have noticed that I never get near to having the recommended serving of sodium. Is it possible to have too little sodium?? I'm constantly tired, or rather no energy, and my legs ache all the time. Someone on this site suggested I cut back on coffee, which I did and as a result am drinking about 10 glasses of Water a day which means I'm not dehydrated as someone else suggested.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Sodium is an electrolyte the body needs to help regulate blood pressure and ensure muscle and nerve cells work properly. Normal blood sodium levels fall between 135 and 145 mEq/L. Conditions such as overhydration, burns, diarrhea and vomiting may cause sodium levels to drop below normal, a condition called hyponatremia.

Low levels of sodium in the blood may cause symptoms involving muscles in the body. Symptoms include problems such as spasms or cramps. Muscles may experience fatigue easily when a person has low sodium levels. Muscular weakness and seizures are additional signs of a sodium deficiency.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/417785-signs-of-sodium-deficiency/

It is important to maintain your bodies electrolytes and sodium is an important electrolyte. Individuals normally consume table salt which provides this sodium or foods that contain salt. My mother went on a no-salt diet after watching too much misleading information on TV. She suffered a variety of symptoms which lead her to the emergency room in the hospital.

[Odie 249]

That does explain a lot!! My doctor probably assumed I still used a lot of salt because I had high blood pressure before my surgery. I cook with salt but don't add salt to my plate, only pepper!! I thought I was doing the right thing but I noticed I am only having about a quarter of the recommended allowance. My legs didn't ache like this before I lost all this weight!! Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me!!

[Rachel412 116]

Adding a couple cups of broth instead of Water will help your sodium intake!

[Odie 249]

Thank you everyone, I reduced my coffee, increased my Water and my sodium and my legs are so much better after suffering for a year!! I have two servings of chicken broth and all of this has made a world of difference!!