Sodium....What part does it play.

[CeeLo]

How does Sodium figure into your diets?

Can you have too much?

What side effects does it carry? (water rentention, bloat)

Does it hinder weight loss?

[abbot138]

Yes to all 3. Too much will leave you looking bloated. I try to stay between 1500-2000mg a day.

[xlxBigSexyxlx]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284

[CeeLo]

Thanks for the info. Just what I'm looking for.

[StoneGRMI]

If you don't eat processed foods I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just make sure to drink a lot of water.

If you are concerned I would write down every mg of sodium you take in throughout the week and then pick out how you can decrease it.

[TR'05]

Strength training athletes require additional sodium- IMHO a lot more than the RDA.

Here's Justin Harris' answer to, pretty much, the same questions:

5. How much sodium should I use and why (general)?

I LIKE HIGH SODIUM. SODIUM ATTRACTS WATER. SODIUM IS REQUIRED FOR GLYCOGEN STORAGE. MANY/MOST AMINO ACIDS REQUIRE SODIUM AS A CARRIER FOR RECEPTOR TRANSPORTATION (L-TAURINE REQUIRES 1 SODIUM ION, BETA-ALANINE REQUIRES 2 SODIUM AND 1 CHLORIDE ION).

HIGH SODIUM WILL CAUSE HIGHER WATER RETENTION IN THE BODY. A HYDRATED MUSCLE IS MORE ANABOLIC AND LESS CATABOLIC. A HYDRATED BODY WILL OXYDIZE FATTY ACIDS FOR ENERGY MORE READILY THAN A DEHDRATED BODY.

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/utb_diet_training.htm

[CeeLo]

TR u're the Man! Thanks Guy!

[TR'05]

People, especially those overly concerned with body image, like to think that too much sodium is going to leave them looking puffy and fat- just not the case. I take in significant amounts of sodium on a daily basis and appear lean and vascular throughout the day.

Your body eventually "gets used" to the high amounts of sodium. When I first increased my sodium intake, it was somewhat noticeable in appearance. Eventually, your body gets very good as flushing any excess sodium.

Having said this, you should avoid going overboard; especially, if you have a history of high blood pressure.

[TR'05]

No worries cpreasha.

I'm off to a meeting but will hit you with a PM with respect to your routine tonight, in all likelihood.