Member Question: Too Much Salt

author : mrakes1

comments : 0

Do you consume too much salt in your diet? What are the ramifications for the endurance athlete?

Question:
I love salt. I salt my salt. So what's the big problem with salt and why is it "bad" for me?

Answer:
The body uses sodium, along with several other electrolytes, to maintain a healthy fluid balance. Sodium not only regulates the movement of fluid in and out of the cells, but promotes proper muscle function. Like all nutrient recommendations, sodium needs vary among athletes depending on body composition, exercise intensity, age or gender. Some athletes have greater sodium needs because they lose more sodium in sweat, whereas other athletes have less sodium in sweat. Additionally, exercising in the heat or at altitude may also change sodium requirements before, during and after exercise.

The most common forms of sodium in the diet are from packaged, canned foods or the salt shaker. Because table salt has a desirable taste, it is no surprise that the American diet provides more than 5 times the recommended daily allowance of sodium for the average individual. [.....]

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date: May 25, 2009