The Sodium Conundrum

[OldGHGuy]

Yes that is what many say but many don't have that issue. My father had heart and BP issues yet his Dr didn't recommend lower sodium for him. Once my body adjusts to a higher load after several days my BP goes back to my normal range.

Thats a great point Buck. TBH I dont knownif sodium affects me that way or not. Sounds like an experiment is warranted. Thanks

 

[OldGHGuy]

Around 50% of people have a sodium sensitivity that links it to blood pressure. I can seemingly have all the sodium I want and it doesn't move my BP at all. (but it does make my face look full so I put potassium chloride in my rehydration drinks to increase sodium clearance.).

Great info Ghoul. I did not know that and also now need to find out which half I'm in

 

[Ghoul]

Great info Ghoul. I did not know that and also now need to find out which half I'm in

All things BP related has been an obsession since I heard a panel of the world's leading preventive cardiologists at a convention (I wasn't there, just listening to recordings of expert panels) literally pounding the table and raising voices in fury about how blood pressure was the "lowest hanging fruit" for preventing death and disability, but everyone from governments, to (shockingly) front line doctors, and patients weren't taking it seriously enough.

When one was asked, in light of the continuously dropping standard for "normal" bp numbers, where they saw the evidence leading regarding how much lower long term health benefits would likely continue to be found, he said "as low as you can get it without falling over".

I bought a pressure cuff the next day, and started telling my doc exactly how we were going to get me into the ideal range, lol.

 

[OldGHGuy]

All things BP related has been an obsession since I heard a panel of the world's leading preventive cardiologists at a convention (I wasn't there, just listening to recordings of expert panels) literally pounding the table and raising voices in fury about how blood pressure was the "lowest hanging fruit" for preventing death and disability, but everyone from governments, to (shockingly) front line doctors, and patients weren't taking it seriously enough.

When one was asked, in light of the continuously dropping standard for "normal" bp numbers, where they saw the evidence leading regarding how much lower long term health benefits would likely continue to be found, he said "as low as you can get it without falling over".

I bought a pressure cuff the next day, and started telling my doc exactly how we were going to get me into the ideal range, lol.

Agree 100%. And herein lies my obsession with all things related to BP, including sodium intake/levels. You dont get to be in your mid-50's, having used steroids for over 35 years on and off, and still relatively healthy, without obsessing over the little things!

 

[buck]

Agree 100%. And herein lies my obsession with all things related to BP, including sodium intake/levels. You dont get to be in your mid-50's, having used steroids for over 35 years on and off, and still relatively healthy, without obsessing over the little things!

I am in my mid 60's but have only been doing cycles/TRT for over 25 years. I find controlling BP and glucose levels are 2 factors that can do some of the most damage to the body. I would not call either of those 2 a little thing.. Being overweight is another factor especially depending on how much over weight.

 

[OldGHGuy]

I am in my mid 60's but have only been doing cycles/TRT for over 25 years. I find controlling BP and glucose levels are 2 factors that can do some of the most damage to the body. I would not call either of those 2 a little thing.. Being overweight is another factor especially depending on how much over weight.

Not considering BP a little thing at all. But some would consider Sodium being slightly out of range a "little thing". I do not

 

[buck]

Not considering BP a little thing at all. But some would consider Sodium being slightly out of range a "little thing". I do not

As you wrote in your original post that you ate little sodium and over hydrate which would flush out the sodium you ingest. It would seem to me that those 2 life style choices are the issue more then the sodium. The obsession seems to be the issue to me. Worrying about something that is not an issue can raise BP. Have you seen where the Japanese eat almost 3X the sodium that Americans do yet have lower cardiac and cancer issues. What is your typical BP in the morning on your low sodium diet?

 

[OldGHGuy]

As you wrote in your original post that you ate little sodium and over hydrate which would flush out the sodium you ingest. It would seem to me that those 2 life style choices are the issue more then the sodium. The obsession seems to be the issue to me. Worrying about something that is not an issue can raise BP. Have you seen where the Japanese eat almost 3X the sodium that Americans do yet have lower cardiac and cancer issues. What is your typical BP in the morning on your low sodium diet?

Not looking to argue about it my man. I guess the crux of my question is/was "Is there a better form of sodium to use that doesn't hit BP, or as much?" Looks like sodium is sodium and yes of course, to raise sodium its logical to eat more sodium. Thank you

 

[AlexDavis43]

Not looking to argue about it my man. I guess the crux of my question is/was "Is there a better form of sodium to use that doesn't hit BP, or as much?" Looks like sodium is sodium and yes of course, to raise sodium its logical to eat more sodium. Thank you

If you like the taste, there is potassium chloride

The common grocery store brand is Nu Salt

 

[buck]

Course that will help raise potassium levels but wont do a thing to raise sodium levels.
That was the sort of thing i did back in the 80's and 90's when i thought sodium was bad. I have never eaten much processed foods and lightly salted my foods at most for years. Then in the early 2000's i found i recovered better, had fuller muscles, and less soreness once it started salting my food. Probably still get less then many people that eat a lot of processed foods. All the other low quality unhealthy ingredients are probably far worse then the salt in processed foods. BP has always been well within the range Dr recommend. Since i started salting my food. BP was typically around 106/64 in my 50's now in my mid 60's it is up to 120/66 in the mornings. My sodium levels have been middle of the range for many years on blood tests.

 

[AlexDavis43]

Course that will help raise potassium levels but wont do a thing to raise sodium levels.
That was the sort of thing i did back in the 80's and 90's when i thought sodium was bad. I have never eaten much processed foods and lightly salted my foods at most for years. Then in the early 2000's i found i recovered better, had fuller muscles, and less soreness once it started salting my food. Probably still get less then many people that eat a lot of processed foods. All the other low quality unhealthy ingredients are probably far worse then the salt in processed foods. BP has always been well within the range Dr recommend. Since i started salting my food. BP was typically around 106/64 in my 50's now in my mid 60's it is up to 120/66 in the mornings. My sodium levels have been middle of the range for many years on blood tests.

My bad, I misread, he wants increased sodium but not increased BP

@OldGHGuy sodium levels seem relatively tightly controlled; people can eat half or twice as much salt and blood sodium stays relatively constant. Might be a hormonal thing (?) like aldosterone or vasopressin or something (sorry I know that's not very helpful)

 

[OldGHGuy]

My bad, I misread, he wants increased sodium but not increased BP

@OldGHGuy sodium levels seem relatively tightly controlled; people can eat half or twice as much salt and blood sodium stays relatively constant. Might be a hormonal thing (?) like aldosterone or vasopressin or something (sorry I know that's not very helpful)

No worries. Thanks for your inputs. Im not even sure, based on everyone's inputs, that higher sodium is even a worry. I will have to do some experimenting