How much is to much (Sodium)

[SuperSayin]

well im trying to figure out a very clean diet... but my question is how much is to much sodium... I know alot of sodium causes water retention and bloat. How much sodium is ok to have? say in a meal or daily? thanks guys

 

[MrMakaveli]

I've always wondered about a "sodium sensitivity". I mean, for me the sodium in 3 cans of tuna is too much. Its a very odd thing. I dont know if there is a certain answer anyone can give you. I'd say eat clean and if you notice your retaining water and your drinking a good amount then lower it.

 

[anthrax]

I don't think it is the amount that really matters (unless you already have an health issue) but the variation of your intake:

if you suddenly increase by 300% your Na intake you will feel bloated and retain water

 

[JJFigure]

I think it matters more if you're pre-contest. I don't cut out sodium until a couple days before the show. If I cut it out to soon, my body gets used to living w/out sodium, so if I have anything with sodium in it, I immediately retain water. By removing sodium at the last minute, it's easier for me to drop water weight.

I don't obnoxiously add sodium to my food, but I don't like meat/poultry/eggs if it hasn't had a little salt added to it.

 

[MS]

It's pretty much what Anthrax said. Unless you have essential hypertension already, most people don't have to worry about too much sodium. The exception in my opinion is folks on a diet-sodium makes people eat more (because the food tastes better), and too much sodium can cause fluctuations in water retention which make it difficult to gauge fatloss versus changes in LBM. From this point of view I recommend dieting bodybuilders limit their sodium intake to 5 grams salt (sodium chloride) per day, increasing it 10 days-2 weeks from a competition and dropping it again 2 days out from a competition. Otherwise don't obsess about it (but don't overdo it either).

 

[gwl9dta4]

Also the more fat you carry on you the more pronounced the effect of sodium will be. You will hold much more water and hold it more easily. I have noticed that as my BF% goes down my tolerance to sodium increaes and water retention eases up a little.

 

[grafix-GNC]

i agree with Anthrax, just stick to what you have been doing, if you feel the need to cut back on the sodium, perhaps for water retention, then do so, but dont do drastic things