Whats SO BAD about Salt?
 

I hear everyone saying that they absolutley can't have salt.....????
I usually have egss each morning and i sprinkle some salt and pepper on it
and when im feeling blue, i go crazy over nuts and i eat the nuts that have the highest carbs and i eat so many saltd peanuts and cashews just for the salt.
sometimes i just have a salt craving.....but then the nuts usually calm me down.....but thats not good either :(

I think people say they cannot have salt (I am one of them) because it tends to cause water retention. Water retention for me = no weightloss. At best, I'll stay the same weight for a long time. Good luck on your LC journey!!!

Medically, very few people need to limit sodium intake. Some folks with high blood pressure (high blood pressure caused by other health factors, not high sodium intake) are advised to limit sodium.

Generally there are no compelling studies linking high blood pressure to high sodium intake in the absence of a medical problem. Though it's good to keep it low to stop bloating.

I eat a ton of salt and so far no problems...lol. I could be retaining water, but if I am...its obviously not causing that big of a difference. Better water than fat being retained...lol.


L

What are you doing?
 

I live a high-sweat life--outside a lot doing HEAVY lifting, in the NC summer, mostly without air conditioning. I NEED salt; can die without it. There's a reason hunters put out salt to attract animals.

Salt gets a bad rap because most people eating a traditional diet get way more than we need from chips and other processed food. There has been some association between salt and high blood pressure. I think the LC WOE simply eliminates these problems.

The other problem with salt is that it takes a LOT of water to clear it. Read the kidney chapter in an anatomy book for the details--don't remember the cycle off hand. Our bodies are wired to conserve salt because it's so rare in the natural world; we excrete potassium liberally because it (used to be) plentiful--get it from leaves and fruits and such. You will die OF DEHYDRATION from drinking enough seawater--it takes more water to clear that much salt than you get from drinking seawater.

I recall it takes 1 pound of water to clear 1/4" tsp of salt, so if you eat something that has 1 tsp of salt (could be a nut binge), you WILL gain 4# of water before your body lets go.

I'm inclined to listen to what my body is asking for--if salt is tasting good on any given day, it's probably because I need it.

Salt, (Sodium Chloride) is a needed part of your nutrient base and you NEED salt to live.

That being said...too much salt will cause water retention...and swelling of your hands etc...and you will not show any weight loss when you get on the scale.

For those of us with high blood pressure (like me)...salt can be an enemy. It causes the retention and hands and ankles "fill" with water and swell...and blood pressure goes higher. Not a good thing.

Most people would do very well for themselves to keep sodium intake to 2400mg a day...thus getting enough for their body and not enough to cause adverse effects...However, If you are working/exercising heavily and sweating alot etc...you would need MORE and need to replace what you are sweating-out.

If ANY uncertainty about proper needs of sodium for YOUR situation...check with your doctor. They would know what YOU should have for your present condition.

Hope this helps!
Best to all;
Jake