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Old Wed, Feb-06-02, 10:27
agonycat's Avatar
agonycat agonycat is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 3,473
 
Plan: AHP&FP
Stats: 197/125/137 Female 5' 6"
BF:42%/22%/21%
Progress: 120%
Location: Dallas, Texas
Default fun facts with sodium

Put up with me.. I am bored today

Sodium
Sodium acts to maintain the normal hydration state of the bodily fluids. Sodium ions are found primarily in the plasma and fluid surrounding cells while potassium is found within cells. These ions affect the movement of water in an out of cells. Sodium ions balanced by other ions are necessary to normal cell function in all tissues of the body. Sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations are tightly controlled by osmoreceptors within the brain and the hormones ADH and aldosterone. These ions can be resorbed from or exceted in the urine, sweat, tears as needed. One to 2 grams of sodium is found in the normal diet. We require an intake of about 4-6 grams each day. Because sodium is added to many foods during processing as a flavor enhancer, intakes in the U.S. are often in excess of the requirement. Sodium may be involved in hypertension in some individuals.

1 gram equals 1000mg and there are 2325mgs of salt in a teaspoon.

That means we should each be taking in at least 1 3/4 tsps of salt a day in our foods but not more than 2.58 tsp. Wow that isn't very much is it?

So how are you doing on salt? Check those labels and add it up! If you are consuming more than that, it could be causing water retention or worse hypertension!

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