Should You Really Watch Your Sodium Intake?
By Tom Herrin
There is plenty of concern today about certain things that have been included in people’s diets, whether planned or unplanned. Grocery stores are filled with labels stating that foods are high in fiber, low in fat, low in sugar, gluten-free, and plenty of other things. Many people have been watching their sodium intake for years. It has been seemingly related to a multitude of health problems. The question is whether or not all these claims are true. There are so many catchphrases in today’s retail grocery market. Most of us think of sodium as salt, which is not always the case. It is pretty known that some salt may be needed to help reduce the chance of muscle cramps due to loss through perspiration.
There Can Be Organ Damage
Increased intake of sodium can cause the body to retain water. This can be damaging to organs as they may have extra fluid around them. The increased amount of fluid in the body can overwork the heart as it struggles to move this greater amount of fluid. Moving this amount of fluid is believed to contribute to higher blood pressure. This process over a long period of time appears to cause the arteries to harden due the amount of work they have to do. The kidneys are another organ that is extremely affected by sodium.
Other Risks Of Sodium
It is believed that high consumption of sodium or salt can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. Even more prevalent than occurrence of stomach cancer may be the number of instances of osteoporosis, particularly in women. It has been shown that increased amounts of salt can increase the amount of calcium lost in the blood. When this happens, the body has a way of taking calcium from bones when the blood is in short supply.
There Is An ‘Alter Ego’ To Sodium
It is fortunate that there is some help available to counter the overloading of sodium in the body. Potassium acts almost opposite to the way sodium does. It can relax the blood vessels and help to remove some of the sodium. If people will eat healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables, which contain quite a bit of potassium, they can add an amount that will help to correct the effects of the sodium. What a great way to improve health.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Diego, Calif.