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Sodium: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Within the last 20 years, salt has definitely been marketed as the bad guy.
However, sodium is an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of the
human body. We just couldn't live without it – literally.
Your body uses sodium to help maintain the proper balance of fluids in your
body. It's also essential to the transmission of nerve impulses throughout
your system, and it influences the contraction and relaxation of your
muscles.
Your kidneys have the job of regulating the amount of sodium that stays in
your body. When the levels of this mineral begin to dip, the kidneys then
eliminate the salt more slowly. When the kidneys discover that your body's
sodium levels are high, then it increases the excretion of the salt through
the urine.
It's when your body can't eliminate the sodium fast enough that the trouble
begins. Then the nutrient begins to build up in the bloodstream. This
naturally increases your blood volume, because the sodium attracts and holds
water. The increased blood volume then makes your heart work harder at
transporting the blood to all parts of your body. This extra work causes an
increased pressure in your arteries.
Sometimes, health problems contribute to your body's inability to properly
eliminate the salt from your system. Those individuals with congestive heart
failure may find that their bodies don't evacuate the salt as they should.
Moreover, those who suffer with chronic kidney disease may have this problem
as well as those who are afflicted with cirrhosis of the liver.
Not every person is as "salt sensitive" as the next, so it appears. Those who
are salt sensitive have bodies that naturally retain sodium more easily,
making it more difficult to eliminate. Additionally, these people find that
they are plagued with excess fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. If
you discover that you fall into this category, then any extra sodium you
consume only increases your chances of developing high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, there are no physical symptoms to tell you that you have high
blood pressure, which can eventually lead to cardiovascular and kidney
diseases.
How do you know if you're salt sensitive? Many people who are aged 50 or older
are, as are those who already have a health condition such as high blood
pressure, chronic kidney disease and even diabetes are more vulnerable to the
effects of salt on their bodies. If you and your primary health care
practitioner haven't already discussed your salt intake, be sure to ask her
about it. She has access to resources that may be of help to you.
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