A little-discussed aspect of diet and nutrition is the amount of salt that the average person takes into their diet. Recent figures show that the average American diet contains twice the necessary daily amount of salt. To protect your wellness and wellbeing, you should start to become aware of how much salt you are taking in and to actively try to reduce the salt and sodium in your diet.
Currently, the recommended daily amount of salt is less than 2,400mg, which represents less than one teaspoon of salt per day.
Of course, there are always people who are suffering with the other end of this problem, and taking in too little salt can be as dangerous as taking in too much. A low sodium diet puts anyone with a chronic illness or the elderly at risk of a condition called hyponatremia (also known as low blood sodium).
This condition is very difficult to diagnose without a blood test, and symptoms can include headaches, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness and lethargy. The elderly are most at risk from this condition as the human body becomes less able to metabolise sodium as it gets older.
Some medications can also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb sodium: medicines that are particularly bad for this include pain medications, diuretics and antidepressants. Those who have a chronic illness such as Addison’s Disease, dehydration, hypothyroid, cirrhosis and heart or kidney failure are also at increased risk of developing a problem absorbing sodium, and so should be aware of the symptoms and see their GP if they feel it is necessary.
Too much salt can be very dangerous for those with high blood pressure. In these instances, a strict allowance of no more than 1,500mg of salt per day is recommended. Research has shown that those who have high blood pressure and keep their sodium levels under control prevent their blood pressure from rising and also allow their blood pressure medication to work more efficiently. Too much salt can result in a worsening of blood pressure symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling, and it can also lead to weight gain.