Fitness And Daily Salt Intake

Salt Intake and Your Fitness

For optimal health and fitness there are vital elements of your daily diet that need to be managed apart from carbs,protein and fat.


One of these elements, sodium (salt), needs special mention.

Lets answer few questions to understand the importance of daily salt intake

QUESTION: All of us know that too much of daily salt intake in the form of processed and preserved foods is not good for health but is it also possible to suffer from not getting adequate salt in my daily diet?"

ANSWER: Yes! For optimal functioning of the body you need at least 500 milligrams of sodium/salt per day. It's required to sustain the body's pH and fluid balance (both inside the cells and outside) at ideal levels and also help in effective muscle contraction.

 
Though there is a higher prevalence of too much sodium intake not only in US but across Asian countries,health specialists recommend  (2400) milligrams a day to reduce the risk of high BP and cardiovascular disease though some experts think it should be even lower.

So, what is the solution?

Keeping sodium intake in check, in general, is good for your health and long term fitness.

At the same time sodium's negative effect on bone health should not be undermined. This is another good reason to keep salt intake levels at reasonable amounts(especially in women).

But, what about too little sodium?

 Sodium intake has much less ill effect on anybody who is active than it would on a sedentary person. When we are active we perspire more and we lose salt from our bodies .

So, the formula is to be active, eat healthy, hydrate sensibly and exercise on a consistent basis.

Special cases

• Family history (genetics) will have some influence on your sensitivity to salt intake.
• And, women may be sensitive to salt intake throughout their cycle.