Sodium

Sodium2018-04-06T21:42:57-07:00

Salt is an essential nutrient in every cell of our bodies

It’s required for maintenance of the body’s water content, transfer of electrical signals for muscle contractions & nerve signals, for movement of other nutrients across cells and maintenance of proper blood pressure

  • Salt is 40% sodium and 60% chloride so 5g (1 tsp) of salt actually contains 2g (2,300mg) of sodium
  • The recommended daily intake for people 14 – 50 yrs old is 1,500 mg to 2,400 mg
  • For 51 – 70 yrs old, it’s 1,300 mg to 2,300 mg
  • we get 80% of salt from processed foods and restaurants
  • 1,000 mg or more sodium is found in many fast food hamburgers
  • too much sodium causes high blood pressure
  • lack of salt can cause dizziness, lethargy & decreased blood pressure

Sodium Aliases:

  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Soda
  • Brine
  • Celery Salt
  • Disodium Phosphate
  • Garlic Salt
  • Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
  • Onion Salt
  • Salt
  • Sodium Alginate
  • Sodium Benzoate
  • Sodium Proprionate

IODINE

This an essential part of manufactuing thyroid hormones.  Perchlorates, nitrates and fluoride can all disrupt the absorption of iodine into the thyroid, impairing thyroid hormone production:

  • minimize cured meats like salami, bacon, hot dogs etc.
  • minimize fluoride in water, black tea and seafood
  • consume organic fruits and veggies

If avoiding Iodized Salt, dietary sources for iodine include egg yolks, sardines, scallops, yogurt and sea vegetables like arame, dulce, kelp & wakame