Sodium

Sodium is an electrolyte that deals primarily with the regulation of extracellular fluids, muscle contractions, and transmission of nerve impulses (American Heart Association). It is an essential nutrient because of these traits; however, most Americans receive many times the amount of sodium than is necessary or acceptable. This is partly due to the fact of high sodium levels in the processed foods that constitute many Americans’ diets. When excess levels of sodium are ingested on a regular basis, your kidneys may start to fall behind in the excretion of said mineral (Vincent). Since the sodium is not fully excreted, it stays in the blood where it increases your blood pressure by virtue of its water-retaining abilities (Mayo Clinic Staff). Having high blood pressure is not the same as having a rapid heart-beat, and therefore you will need to have your blood pressure checked by a doctor as it is not something you can readily check yourself.

“Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.” (American Heart Association). If not for the sake of being healthy, it’s for these reasons that one should evaluate their own blood pressure and sodium intake. Research shows that healthy adults should be getting about 500mg of sodium daily, but are not to exceed 2,400mg (which even still is very high) (Mayo Clinic Staff). Some ways to cut sodium intake easily are by using salt substitutes, spices and herbs, and eating low sodium versions of processed foods you may not want to give up.

In this link to a page from the American Heart Association you can see some statistics on high blood pressure and how common it really is in American society.

References

American Heart Association. American Heart Association. 6 December 2008. 6 December 2008 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4708.

---. American Heart Association. 6 December 2008. 6 December 2008 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2139

---. American Heart Association. 6 December 2008. 6 December 2008
http://www.hearthub.org/hc-high-blood-pressure.htm

Lifeclinic International, Inc. lifeclinic.com. 2008. 6 December 2008 http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/sodium.asp.

Mayo Clinic Staff. MayoClinic.com. 6 December 2008. 6 December 2008 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284.

Vincent, Eileen. NORTHWESTERNUTRITION. 28 July 2007. 5 December 2008 http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/sodium.html.