tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946741689271235070.post4497338289809689999..comments2023-09-17T00:44:15.316-07:00Comments on DrDialogue: Regulating SaltJuliet Mavromatis, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15621812541697154967noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946741689271235070.post-74497370025251375432010-06-05T06:51:39.288-07:002010-06-05T06:51:39.288-07:00The relationship between salt ingestion and cardio...The relationship between salt ingestion and cardiovascular disease is complex. Some of its detrimental effects are related to hemodynamic overload (more fluid in your blood vessels). This occurs precisely because the excess sodium ingested pulls water into the blood vessels to maintain its correct physiologic concentation. However, high salt intake seems to have other independent deleterious effects. It appears to have a direct effect on the heart muscle causing "hypertrophy" and fibrosis of the ventricle and a condition called diastolic dysfunction, which impairs the filling and relaxation of the heart. There may be other effects as well. But drinking water to maintain your electrolyte balance is likely not protective, though it's true that if you lose salt and water through sweating you do need to replete both the electrolytes (salt, potassium) and water lost. Here is a link to a very interesting article explaining the possible mechanisms for the observed increase in cardiovascular risk related to the consumption of a diet that is high in salt. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/493696Juliet Mavromatis, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15621812541697154967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946741689271235070.post-68458507082449576032010-06-03T15:55:27.906-07:002010-06-03T15:55:27.906-07:00In terms of ill effects on the body, can you minim...In terms of ill effects on the body, can you minimize the impact of a high sodium diet if you increase your water intake? It seems to me that as long as you maintain a certain ratio of water to electrolytes, things should run smoothly. You probably know how bad you feel when you work out hard on a hot day and sweat out all your electrolytes. Just drinking water won't cut it. So then does it stand to reason that an athletic person who sweats a lot can afford to eat more sodium (alongside with potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.) given that they also make sure their fluid intake is also increased?<br /><br />I suppose I never paid much heed to high sodium warnings. Indeed, I probably eat way more sodium than is recommended, but I also drink 3+ cups of fluids per meal. I have low blood pressure and am still a few years away from 40.QYZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07289264860306364172noreply@blogger.com