Americans are busier than ever, and have become more reliant lately on convenience foods to save time. As a result, sodium consumption has risen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of the sodium Americans...
Your thyroid gland regulates your metabolism by controlling cellular energy use. Although sodium levels may affect the function of your thyroid, too little sodium is associated with hypothyroidism, not too much. However, too much sodium can cause...
Excess sodium in the blood occurs most commonly from fluid loss and dehydration. Underlying health problems that require medical care can cause sodium levels to rise suddenly. The medical term for high sodium level is hypernatremia. In healthy...
Your body needs sodium to regulate your blood pressure and blood volume, and it also is essential for muscle and nerve function; however, consuming excess sodium can have many adverse effects on your heart and other bodily areas and can increase...
Excessive sodium intake contributes to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, which may increase chances of stroke and other related conditions. If you are concerned about your sodium intake, consult your doctor to discuss...
Your sodium intake determines, in part, how high your blood pressure will go. The majority of sodium is consumed as sodium chloride, or table salt, in prepared foods. Although your body needs some sodium minerals, you might consume considerably...
Your body uses a complex hormonal communication system known as the endocrine system. Your endocrine system relays communication about your hormone levels so they are kept balanced. Your adrenal glands -- two triangular glands that sit atop your...
Sodium is healthy in small amounts. It helps to maintain fluid balances, transmit nerve impulses and control your muscles. It becomes dangerous when you consume too much for long periods. Each 1 tsp. of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium, and the...
Excessive thirst and polyuria combined with excessive sodium in the blood can be signs of a serious health problem. All three conditions can be tell-tale symptoms of chronic diseases: Visit your doctor at the first sign of any of them. Three...
Sodium is important for cell and blood volume regulation; it is the most abundant positively charged ion outside the cell. It is important to maintain an optimal sodium concentration because a sodium imbalance can affect your blood volume. Excess...
Your body requires some sodium to maintain the correct balance of fluids in your tissues and blood, although too much salt in your diet can raise your risk of developing certain health conditions. Consuming excessive amounts of sodium may increase...
Hypernatremia is a condition characterized by blood sodium levels that are greater than 145 mEq/L. Polyuria, which is an increase in the volume of urination, with excessive thirst and hypernatremia together form a constellation of symptoms that...
It might have been the tacos at lunch, movie popcorn or the margaritas after work, but you've gone overboard on the salt. High salt intake can cause bloating and fluid retention and raise the risk of developing high blood pressure. Though there is...
Salt is also known as sodium, as the nomenclature for table salt is sodium chloride. It is essential to the proper functioning of the human body, although in small amounts. Appropriate amounts of salt in the diet ensures that the balance of fluid...
Your body relies on sodium to generate electrical reactions that can help your nerves communicate and muscles move. Your kidneys filter sodium in your body, helping to release excess sodium via your urine or retaining sodium if you do not have...
Potassium is a mineral your body requires daily from the foods you eat or from supplements. Adults 19 and older should consume 4.7 g of potassium per day from foods like potatoes with skins, bananas, meats, prunes, tomatoes, raisins, artichokes...
Sodium chloride is an essential and life-sustaining mineral that your body requires. It is commonly referred to as table salt because sodium chloride is the main ingredient in that common household substance. However, as necessary as this mineral...
Sodium works to manage water levels in conjunction with potassium. The body has regulatory functions that balance out sodium and potassium in order to maintain the proper blood volume. Extra salt can throw off the process. If you suffer from...
Sodium is necessary for fluid balance, nerve transmission and muscle function. Too much of it, though, can cause your kidneys to work overtime. You may have been told by your doctor to reduce your sodium intake. If that's your situation, you need...
Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Because hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of heart disease, many patients take medications to achieve optimal blood pressure control. Diuretics are drugs...
In order to really lose weight, you must give your body the right foods in order to keep it burning calories in the most efficient manner possible. That means cutting out certain types of foods that make it harder for your body to burn fat. It's...
Iodine is a trace element necessary for thyroid hormone synthesis. Because iodine is found primarily in oceans and most soil in the world contains only limited amounts, iodine deficiency is common. In addition to negatively affecting thyroid...
Sodium is one of the ions present in sodium chloride, or salt. Although some dietary sodium is necessary for human health, consuming too much can cause bloating. In some people this may lead to high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease. If...
Your body needs sodium in order to regulate fluids and blood pressure. But too much sodium leads to high blood pressure, greater risk of heart attack or stroke and loss of calcium from your bones. Reducing salt intake is an important step in...
Sodium is a substance that is found in nearly every living organism. In your body, sodium helps to maintain the balance of water and the pressure of your vascular system. In addition, sodium acts as an electrolyte, maintaining the rhythm of your...
Water weight, water retention or edema all describe the bloated feeling when your body holds excess water in the tissues. Water weight can be caused by medical problems, such as congestive heart failure or, more commonly, by hormonal fluctuations...
The American Medical Association believes that cutting sodium intake in half could save 150,000 lives in America annually, according to Medline Plus. Despite public health efforts, sodium use has not declined for the last 50 years. The average...
Fluid under the eyes causes puffiness and swelling. Although genetic factors and aging render some more susceptible to fluid retention than others, certain style factors and health conditions influence fluid accumulation under the eyes. The thin...
Water retention can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing symptom, causing swelling in your feet, legs and ankles. Also known as edema, water retention can occur as the result of eating or retaining excess sodium or as the result of an underlying...
Sodium is a necessary electrolyte but should be kept to 2.4 grams a day. Learn how to eat a low sodium diet with professional tips in this nutrition video.
Beans can be a great substitute for meat considering they're high in vitamins, fiber and minerals. Learn how to pick your own healthy beans in this video clip.
Don't let a cramp put an end to your exercise workout. Learn what causes cramping and how to prevent it in this medical treatment video from a clinical dietician.
Electrolytes are solutions containing ions usually found in sports drinks that help maintain proper hydration during extreme physical activity. Try these tips for buying foods rich in electrolytes in this healthy shopping video.
