The Sodium Conundrum

[OldGHGuy]

Hey Meso,

Working to master my bloodwork, hoping to draw from experiences here.

My sodium is consistently low (out of range) on bloodwork, attributed to drinking lots of water AND eating a lower sodium diet in order to help BP. I would like to get this sodium number back in range without taking a BP hit. The obvious answer, I know, is to drink less water. However, I am hoping there is a solution along the lines of "use Himalayan salt" or "avoid iodized salt" etc...

I guess to summarize - Is there a way to get more sodium without the BP hit? Looking for a minor tweak here and hoping to draw on experiences.

I realize many use MORE sodium these days for performance but at my age (and delicate BP situation, even medicated) this is not an option.

 

[nullandvoid]

What's your potassium intake? You could try increasing your potassium in tandem with sodium. This might help increase serum levels and sodium benefits while maintaining blood pressure.

 

[b6798045]

Sodium sources:
- Sodium citrate
- MSG
- Sodium bicarbonate

But in general eat more potassium rich foods, I think that Na:K ratio is 1:3

Sodium/potassium ratio important for health - Harvard Health

Most people now consume more sodium than potassium, but it should be the other way around. The ratio is important to heart health. ...

www.health.harvard.edu

 

[OldGHGuy]

Great inputs! However, also part of my conundrum is the Olemesartan I take for BP (which raises K in the blood, proven out by my high K on blood tests) as well as my slightly deminished kidney function - both of which have me limiting dietary potassium.

So I actually have high potassium and low sodium on a typical blood test

 

[Benf15harp]

So, you want to somehow increase sodium without affecting blood pressure for the sole purpose of being in range on a blood test or is there another reason?

 

[OldGHGuy]

So, you want to somehow increase sodium without affecting blood pressure for the sole purpose of being in range on a blood test or is there another reason?

Sodium plays a crucial role in maintaining proper bodily functions, including regulating fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure.

Trying to optimize

 

[Benf15harp]

Sodium plays a crucial role in maintaining proper bodily functions, including regulating fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure.

Trying to optimize

How out of range are you talking?

 

[OldGHGuy]

How out of range are you talking?

Not far

 

[Benf15harp]

Not far

Then don’t worry about it. lol

 

[jdubzzz44]

My wife’s father was on a low sodium diet for blood pressure and ended up in the hospital for low sodium. When he got out his doctor kept him on a low sodium diet and prescribed him sodium tablets

 

[OldGHGuy]

Then don’t worry about it. lol

Thanks fornthe input Freud

 

[OldGHGuy]

My wife’s father was on a low sodium diet for blood pressure and ended up in the hospital for low sodium. When he got out his doctor kept him on a low sodium diet and prescribed him sodium tablets

This is somemof what I'm trying to get to the bottom of. Did they keep him on the low sodium diet but add one of the many alternate forms of sodium via tablet ro fulfill rhw bodily function aspect without hitting BP or to a lesser extent? Thanks for sharing

 

[BigDadd7]

How does it even make sense to be on a low sodium diet, and than take sodium pills? Gring them up and sprinkle them on your food.

 

[OldGHGuy]

How does it even make sense to be on a low sodium diet, and than take sodium pills? Gring them up and sprinkle them on your food.

Thats the question. Unless the pills are an alternate form of sodium with greater benefits/less hit to BP than one typically gets in food

 

[buck]

Does eating more sodium long term actually raise your BP?
I can increase my sodium intake and after a week or 2 my body adjusts to the new norm and there is no increased BP as that point.
How much water are you drinking? More is not always better.

 

[OldGHGuy]

Does eating more sodium long term actually raise your BP?
I can increase my sodium intake and after a week or 2 my body adjusts to the new norm and there is no increased BP as that point.
How much water are you drinking? More is not always better.

Idk thats the conventional wisdom I guess.

 

[Ghoul]

Does eating more sodium long term actually raise your BP?
I can increase my sodium intake and after a week or 2 my body adjusts to the new norm and there is no increased BP as that point.
How much water are you drinking? More is not always better.

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.).

 

[jdubzzz44]

How does it even make sense to be on a low sodium diet, and than take sodium pills? Gring them up and sprinkle them on your food.

Lol I have no idea I just laughed when she told me they did that. High sodium is necessary for high intensity exercise so I don’t limit it personally but they are old and don’t exercise so I can see where excess can be an issue

 

[buck]

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.).

I am aware of all that. That is why i asked the OP if it actually raises his BP if he has been taking a higher dose of sodium for a few weeks. If more sodium is being stored in the tissue the more water will likley be stored with it. Depending on how much i perspire i can look a little puffy or not from increased sodium. The extra sodium often helps me stay fuller and have better workouts.

 

[buck]

Idk thats the conventional wisdom I guess.

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.