Although you need a small amount of sodium every day to keep your body functioning properly, you may be getting more than you actually need. This is true for the average American, who gets about 75 percent of his daily sodium from processed foods such as lunch meats, according to MayoClinic.com. However, it is also possible to become sick if you don't get enough sodium to replace the amount your body excretes.
Function
Your body needs sodium to maintain a healthy fluid volume, relax and contract the muscles and transmit nerve impulses. However, it only needs about 180 mg to 500 mg of sodium per day to support these functions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your kidneys are responsible for keeping your sodium in balance to support optimal health. When your levels are too low, your kidneys retain sodium. When your sodium level is higher than it needs to be, your kidneys get rid of the excess through urine.
High Sodium Levels
Some people are sensitive to sodium. If you fall into this category, you are more likely to retain sodium, retain fluid and have high blood pressure. A chronic high level of sodium can cause problems such as heart disease, strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney disease, according to MayoClinic.com. To reduce your risk of retaining too much sodium, keep your sodium intake down to no more than 2,300 mg per day. Your body is more likely to have trouble balancing its sodium if you are at least 51 years old, are African-American or if you already have health problems such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease or high blood pressure. If you are in any of these populations, your limit should be about 1,500 mg of sodium a day. Overall, nearly everyone would benefit from consuming a limited amount of sodium.
Low Sodium Levels
Your body may not have enough sodium if you have frequent diarrhea or vomiting, you take a diuretic medication, you sweat profusely or you have conditions such as kidney disease, liver cirrhosis or congestive heart failure, according to MedlinePlus. Your body's cells swell with too much water if your sodium levels are too low. A sodium deficiency can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramping and weakness. Your brain cells are less equipped to handle swelling due to the confines of the skull bones, which can lead to serious symptoms ranging from confusion and hallucinations to convulsions and coma. Treatment usually involves intravenous fluids, water restriction and medication to reduce symptoms.
Tips
The average American consumes about 3,400 mg of sodium every day, which is far more than necessary, according to MayoClinic.com. You will naturally limit your sodium intake if you stop sprinkling table salt on your meals, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and cut back on processed and prepared foods such as cold cuts, pizza and canned soups. If you are at risk of a sodium deficiency, ask your doctor to recommend preventative steps. In some cases, this may involve drinking an electrolyte solution, also known as an oral rehydration solution.
References
- MedlinePlus: Sodium in Diet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Americans Consume Too Much Sodium
- MayoClinic.com: Sodium: How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Low-Sodium Diet: Why is Processed Food So Salty?
- MedlinePlus: Hyponatremia
