$Unique_ID{BRK00690}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{How Much is Too Much When it Comes to Sodium?}
$Subject{salt menses water retention community social diet diets food foods
sodium premenstrual period periods}
$Volume{Q-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Much is Too Much When it Comes to Sodium?


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QUESTION:  With a great deal of discomfort in my premenstrual period, I have
decided to try to control my body fluids by reducing my sodium intake.  I have
stopped using the salt shaker, but have little knowledge of how much is too
much when it comes to sodium.  Can you offer some information with a few
specific numbers I might understand?

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ANSWER:  You have the right idea, but as with many people, require just a bit
more information to make things clear.  First important number is that the
body probably only needs about 200 mg of sodium per day, or the equivalent of
about 1/10th of a teaspoon of salt.  Common table salt (sodium chloride) is
60% chlorine and only 40% sodium.  There are 2300 mg of sodium in a full
teaspoon full of salt, and for normal individuals with no medical need to
restrict intake, it is probably safe to have about 1100 to 3300 mg of salt per
day, or about a teaspoon and a half.  However it is estimated that most
Americans will have a daily intake of about 4000 to 5000 mg a day, or the
amount in 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons.  It is not, however, all coming out of the
salt shaker.  Only about 1/3 of the salt we consume is salt from shakers or
used in cooking.  About 1/4 to 1/2 comes from the processed foods we eat,
which is why reading labels has become a must for all health conscious
individuals.  The rest of our daily intake is in natural form in the
unprocessed foods we eat, although such foods are generally low in sodium.
Since we need sodium as part of our normal physiology, most people need only
be sodium conscious to adequately control their intake.  The next vital
information to obtain is a list of foods and their sodium content, too long to
include here.  In that way you may calculate with some certainty your daily
intake, and cut back if it is necessary.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.