Nutrient: Dietary Salt and Sodium

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Sodium chloride, salt, contains 40% sodium and 60% chloride by weight. Some foods naturally contain sodium however, usually in small amounts. Some people add salt in cooking and at the table, but the majority of dietary salt and sodium comes from foods where salt has been added during processing or preparation.
Functions of Sodium
Sodium has many important functions in the body including:

• maintaining water balance
  
• maintaining acid-base balance
  
• transmission of nerve impulses
  
• regulating muscle contractions
  
• absorption and transport of some nutrients
  Too Much Salt
  Although sodium has important roles in the body, most people consume more sodium than they need. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for sodium is 1,500 mg/day for people 19-50 years of age, 1,300 mg/day for people 51-70 years of age, and 1,200 mg/day for people >70 years of age.The Upper Level for sodium intake for adults is 2,300 mg/day.The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends people reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg and further reduce intake to less than 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 years of age and older, and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
  Sodium and High Blood Pressure
  High sodium intake may contribute to high blood pressure in “salt sensitive” individuals. For these individuals, too much salt and sodium intake may be related to the development of high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart. This strain can lead to heart problems, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Most evidence sug- gests that individuals at risk for high blood pressure reduce their chances of developing this condition by consuming less salt and sodium and maintaining a healthy weight.
  There is no way at present to tell who may be sodium sensitive or who may develop high blood pressure from con- suming too much sodium. However, many health professionals recommend that the population as a whole should reduce sodium intake ... Read More
  
  
  
  
  
  From Oli G
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