Sodium

Much has been written in nutritional/medical circles about sodium, but it has largely been negative. This is unfortunate, since sodium is essential to human existence. Though it may be a surprise to many people, sodium is a necessary nutrient for the preservation of optimal health. Historians note that many centuries ago salt was so valuable that men traded it for its weight in gold. In contrast, the medical profession teaches that salt is dangerous and that the public should avoid it at all cost. While it is true that certain individuals are salt sensitive and must curb their intake, the majority of Americans would suffer no ill effects by keeping salt in their diets.

The frequent prescription of the low sodium diet may, in fact, be dangerous. Sodium deficiency is surprisingly common in Americans. In certain individuals sodium deficiency becomes so extreme that blood levels dip below the normal range. This is a consequence of a condition known as the Sodium Wasting Syndrome. I discovered this syndrome in 1987 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, while treating patients in my clinic. Individuals with this condition lose sodium into the urine in large amounts and, despite an excess of sodium in the diet, ultimately become sodium deficient. They literally lose sodium as fast as they consume it. Such individuals are particularly vulnerable to the development of the deficiency when placed on sodium restricted diets. They may become so grossly deficient in this mineral that they develop a variety of symptoms seemingly so vague that doctors usually brush them off as “stress-induced” or “psychological.” yet, these patients are ill as a result of a lack of sodium, since this mineral is essential for maintaining such critical functions as the blood electrolyte balance, cardiac tone and pumping power, nerve firing, and digestive juice synthesis.

Sodium wasting is a significant health malady. This mineral exerts several critical functions within human tissues, and low blood levels of sodium must not be regarded lightly. For instance, when sodium is wasted, there is also a decrease in tissue fluid. The latter phenomenon is known as volume depletion and is defined as a massive loss of fluid and electrolytes from the blood and cells. In other words, sodium is an anti-dehydrating agent.

Volume depletion is largely what happens in heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In this potentially fatal circumstance the loss of water as well as electrolytes, such as sodium loss of water as well as electrolytes, such as sodium bicarbonate, magnesium, and potassium, occurs. Ideally, treatment should include water and electrolyte replacement. In fact, drinking an excess of mineral free water may precipitate heat exhaustion by a “washing out” effect, leading to a reduction in serum electrolyte levels. Thus, in the case of the sodium waster, dietary salt is necessary to help maintain fluid balance and prevent excessive loss of water from the tissues.

Low levels of sodium can be confirmed by blood testing. Indeed, it may be necessary to prescribe sodium as a therapeutic agent when blood levels are persistently low. I have frequently recommended that patients who suffer from the Sodium Wasting Syndrome use a heavy hand with the salt shaker (a good sea salt) and certainly should salt their food to taste without concern.

The majority of individuals with the Sodium Wasting Syndrome have developed it as a consequence of suffering from a chronic debilitating condition known as adrenal insufficiency. The adrenal glands produce the human body’s sodium preserver, a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone “instructs” the kidneys to retain sodium by keeping it in the bloodstream and preventing it from being dumped into the urine. Without adequate amounts of aldosterone, millions of molecules of sodium are spilled into the urine every minute. Thus, salt must be continually replenished via the diet, although an additional approach would be to take aldosterone, a prescription drug.

However, the key to normalizing the sodium level is enhancing adrenal function through improved diet and nutritional supplementation. With improved adrenal function, sodium wasting is reduced or may be halted entirely.

Sea salt is preferable over table salt for several reasons. Table salt contains additives, including sugar (as dextrose) and aluminum. The aluminum prevents caking, and the sugar is probably added to make the taste of salt more appealing. In addition to being additive-free, sea salt contains a plethora of minerals besides sodium. Both sea salt and iodized table salt are rich sources of iodine. A very real concern is that sea salt may contain residues of toxic chemicals. To minimize this, purchase sea salt which is collected from regions other than the coastal United States. One of the best sources of sea salt in Celtic Salt from France. It is the least processed of all sea salts and retains an exceptionally high and diversified mineral content. Another option is land-derived salts. One of the finest of Real Salt, a pollutant-free salt extracted from an ancient seabed un Utah.

Which of these apply to you?

1. confusion and/or hallucinations

2. seizures

3. muscular weakness

4. lethargy and/or fatigue

5. lack of appetite

6. muscle cramps

7. headaches

8. excessive urination and/or urge to urinate from stress

9. cold weather causes urge to urinate

10. diarrhea

11. cold extremities

12. paranoia

13. psychotic behavior

14. low blood pressure

15. nausea and/or vomiting

16. dizziness

17. apathy

18. lack of thirst

19. Is your blood cholesterol level low?

20. Do you have a tendency to become dehydrated?

21. Do you adhere to a sodium restricted diet?

22. Do you take diuretics on a daily or weekly basis?

23. Do you drink distilled and/or reverse osmosis water on a regular basis?

24. Do you crave salt or salty foods?

25. Have you been diagnosed with Addison’s disease?

26. Do you exercise vigorously several times per week?

27. Are you unusually sensitive to heat, especially hot, humid weather, saunas, hot tubs, etc?

28. Do you have difficulty digesting meat and other protein rich foods?

29. Is your serum sodium low (below 139 mg/dl)?

30. Do you suffer from lack of concentration or memory loss?

Your Score ____

1 to 5 points Mild sodium deficiency: Individuals who score in this category and who adhere to a low sodium diet should begin adding sodium to their diets and use a heavy hand with the salt shaker. Take 1,000 to 2,000 mg of pantothenic acid daily, as this helps stimulate the synthesis of aldosterone, the adrenal hormone which helps conserve sodium. Be sure to eat salty snacks between meals and use salt in all cooking.

12 to 20 points Severe sodium deficiency: Fill 2 gelatin capsules with sea salt and take the salt capsules with every meal. Salt all foods to taste. Take 3,000 mg of pantothenic acid and 4,000 mg of vitamin C each day. In addition, be sure to consume plenty of foods rich in cholesterol; aldosterone is made from cholesterol. Take 3 capsules of Mexican yam extract three times daily.

21 and above Extreme sodium deficiency: Follow the previously mentioned recommendations for nutritional supplements. Fill 3 to 4 gelatin capsules with sea salt and liberally salt all foods. Eat salty snacks between meals such as salted roasted nuts, sunflower seeds, olives. Be sure to eliminate all dietary sources of refined sugar, since sugar places stress upon the adrenal glands leading to a depletion of aldosterone stores. Take Mexican yam extract 4 capsules three times daily.

Note: the symptoms of sodium deficiency are vague. Therefore, it is possible to develop a number of these symptoms while having no gross deficiency of sodium. Certain individuals may be sensitive to sodium, particularly those suffering from hypertension, kidney disease, or fluid retention. Such individuals should not add large amounts of sodium to their diets. If you have a history of any of these disease or if your are wary of consuming sodium, get a blood test called s SMAC, which includes a serum sodium level. If the level is normal or high normal, use only moderate amounts of slat. If the level is below 140 (as milliliters per deciliter), sodium wasting is likely. Levels below 138 confirm the diagnosis of the Sodium Wasting Syndrome. Sodium levels often improve or normalize as a result of nutritional therapy. Thus, the need for salt replacement may diminish. If your sodium level is low, have the level rechecked approximately 60 days after beginning this program. When the level normalizes, stop consuming supplemental salt; instead, use salt to taste.