Sodium

[Maxlass]

How does salt effect gains in both strength and actual muscle mass? I eat clean but I do like to add salt to meal and prefer salted nuts to unsalted. I am wondering how much is too much and what effect it has on my hard work in the gym.

 

[Xlgx]

I put sea salt into my intra wo Shake. It helps with pumps and rehydration. Electrolytes....

 

[JaAg]

not sure it has much effects on muscle gains maybe other than in performance based on water/mineral balance thirst etc. Look up renin-angiotensin-alodsoterone system or (sodium) ion channels and activation of action potential in the peripheral nervous system if you are actually interested in the physiology of it.

 

[Maxlass]

Holy fuck sounds technical I'll look it up but may have to copy paste that one.

 

[Maxlass]

not sure it has much effects on muscle gains maybe other than in performance based on water/mineral balance thirst etc. Look up renin-angiotensin-alodsoterone system or (sodium) ion channels and activation of action potential in the peripheral nervous system if you are actually interested in the physiology of it.

So in laymen's terms it makes the body retain fluids and has a restricting effect on blood vessels leading to higher blood pressure. I am a big sweater so much so it was concerning but apparently it's healthy (according to my Doctor). In saying this along with the amount of training I do should the extra salt be an issue?

 

[JaAg]

Your doctors would be able to answer your question concerning health much better than me. But higher water retention goes hand in hand with higher blood pressure logically. On your original question, I was trying to think back to what I knew from physiology, water/mineral, mineral-corticoids etc, and ions (Na+) role in activation of the nervous system (extracellular fluid). Cannot think of Na+ direct role in strength or muscle mass, other than deficiency would lead to possible lowered physical performance during exercise.

 

[Izk]

Too much sodium = high blood pressure, i suffered from it during my first cycle. Once i cut out the super high sodium stuff the problem disappeared. Teriyaki sauce had to go!
I went from average blood pressures 180/80 to 140/40 in about a week. Red face during training went away and my heart beat felt much less 'loud'. It would keep me awake with how hard it beat even trying to sleep!