Is it possible to have a salt deficiency

In fact, no mineral is more important than sodium; it is a nutrient that cannot be produced naturally by the body. Many foods like eggs, meat, milk etc. Major health organisations including World Health Organisation WHO recommend not more than mg of sodium per day which roughly comes to one teaspoon of salt per day.

Some of these implications include depression , weakness, nausea, vomiting, cramps, headache, irritability, confusion etc. Serious deficiency can even lead to seizures, coma and in some cases it may be fatal too. Your nervous system requires sodium to function and when the levels of sodium drop, it can lead to severe headaches. This is your body's way of getting rid of the excess water which is causing an imbalance in the sodium level.

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Normally, your sodium level should be between and milliequivalents per liter. Symptoms of low blood sodium can vary from person to person. If your sodium levels fall gradually, you may not experience any symptoms. If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be more severe. Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma.

Many factors can cause low blood sodium. Your sodium levels may get too low if your body loses too much water and electrolytes. Hyponatremia may also be a symptom of certain medical conditions. A blood test can help your doctor check for low sodium levels.

This tests the amounts of electrolytes and minerals in your blood. A basic metabolic panel is often part of a routine physical. It may identify low blood sodium in someone without any symptoms. If your levels are abnormal, your doctor will order a urine test to check the amount of sodium in your urine. The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium:.

You should also consider drinking rehydration beverages like Gatorade or Powerade. These drinks contain electrolytes, and help replenish sodium lost through sweating. However, blood pressure is only a risk factor for disease. Several observational studies have looked at the effects of low sodium diets on heart attacks, strokes, and the risk of death 13 , 14 , One study found that less than 3, mg of sodium per day is linked to an increased risk of dying from heart disease , including heart attacks and strokes Disturbingly, another study reported a higher risk of dying from heart disease at the lower sodium levels that many guidelines currently recommend However, other studies have reported conflicting results, so this matter is far from settled 16 , 17 , Although the evidence is mixed, some observational studies show that low salt diets are linked to an increased risk of death from heart attacks or strokes.

Controlled trials show no clear benefit. Heart failure is when the heart is not able to pump enough blood around the body to meet its needs for blood and oxygen.

Interestingly, low sodium diets have been linked to an increased risk of death in people with heart failure. One review found that for people with heart failure, limiting sodium intake increased the risk of dying This is concerning, as people with heart failure are often told to limit their sodium intake. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.

Many factors can increase the risk of heart disease, including elevated LDL bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Some studies have found that low sodium diets may increase both LDL bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In a review of studies in healthy people, low sodium diets caused a 4. A more recent review reported a 2. Studies have found that limiting salt may raise LDL bad cholesterol and triglycerides, which are common risk factors for heart disease.

People with diabetes have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke Therefore, many guidelines for those with diabetes recommend limiting salt intake 23 , However, some studies have found an association between low sodium intake and an increased risk of death among those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes 25 , People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have an increased risk of death on a low sodium diet.