Sodium

This presentation looks at sodium and how it affects you. Sodium is one of the body’s three major electrolytes that help to control the fluids going in and out of the body’s tissues and cells, the other two are potassium and chloride.
Sodium is part of sodium chloride, which is ordinary table salt and is also a seasoning and a preservative

1. 11
Sodium and You Sodium and You
Presenter: Cherine Presenter: Cherine
UsherwoodUsherwood
RD/NutritionistRD/Nutritionist

2. 2
At the end of the session participants should At the end of the session participants should
be able to:be able to:
1.1.Define how sodium affects people Define how sodium affects people
2.2.Identify foods high in sodiumIdentify foods high in sodium
3.3.Make healthier food choices to reduce Make healthier food choices to reduce
their intake their intake

3. 3
What is sodium?What is sodium?
Sodium is one of the most abundant Sodium is one of the most abundant
elements on earth elements on earth
Most people think of salt when sodium is Most people think of salt when sodium is
mentioned mentioned
Salt is actually the mineral compound Salt is actually the mineral compound
‘sodium chloride’ ‘sodium chloride’
Foods we eat may contain sodium Foods we eat may contain sodium
chloride (salt) or may contain sodium in chloride (salt) or may contain sodium in
other forms other forms

4. 4
Where is Sodium Found?Where is Sodium Found?
Sodium is naturally present in most foodsSodium is naturally present in most foods
It is a component of salt; table salt is 40% It is a component of salt; table salt is 40%
sodium and 60% chloridesodium and 60% chloride..
Most of the sodium in processed foods is added Most of the sodium in processed foods is added
to preserve or flavor them. Salt is the major to preserve or flavor them. Salt is the major
source of this sodiumsource of this sodium
Salt is added to most canned and some frozen Salt is added to most canned and some frozen
vegetables, smoked and cured meats, and vegetables, smoked and cured meats, and
picklespickles

5. 5
It is used in most cheeses, sauces, soups, It is used in most cheeses, sauces, soups,
salad dressings and many breakfast salad dressings and many breakfast
cerealscereals..

6. 6
How is salt used today?How is salt used today?
Salt is used in a variety of ways, the most Salt is used in a variety of ways, the most
common use is for seasoning common use is for seasoning
Manufacturers of prepared, frozen and canned Manufacturers of prepared, frozen and canned
foods often use sodium to enhance the flavour of foods often use sodium to enhance the flavour of
their products their products
Salt is also still used as a preservative Salt is also still used as a preservative

7. 7
Salt is used for non-Salt is used for non-
food purposes as food purposes as
well, such as de-icing, well, such as de-icing,
soft water treatment soft water treatment
and soap making and soap making
http://winterservicesohio.com/deicing.htm

8. 8
The role of sodium in the bodyThe role of sodium in the body
Sodium is one of the body’s three major Sodium is one of the body’s three major
electrolytes (potassium and chloride are electrolytes (potassium and chloride are
the other two). the other two).
Electrolytes control the fluids going in and Electrolytes control the fluids going in and
out of the body’s tissues and cells out of the body’s tissues and cells
When the body becomes dehydrated, it When the body becomes dehydrated, it
loses fluid and electrolytes loses fluid and electrolytes

9. 9
Sodium also contributes to the following Sodium also contributes to the following
body functions:body functions:
1.1.regulates blood pressure and blood regulates blood pressure and blood
volume volume
2.2.helps transmit impulses for nerve helps transmit impulses for nerve
function and muscle contraction function and muscle contraction
3.3.regulates the acid-base balance of blood regulates the acid-base balance of blood
and body fluids and body fluids

10. 10
Sodium maintains the water balance Sodium maintains the water balance
within cells. within cells.
Any extra sodium is excreted by the Any extra sodium is excreted by the
kidneyskidneys
Consuming excess sodium may lead to Consuming excess sodium may lead to
edema or water retentionedema or water retention

11. 11
How much sodium is enough?How much sodium is enough?
The recommended intake of sodium for The recommended intake of sodium for
most healthy people is 2,300 milligrams or most healthy people is 2,300 milligrams or
less each day (FDA recommended less each day (FDA recommended
intake). intake).
This is almost the amount of sodium in This is almost the amount of sodium in
one teaspoon of salt.one teaspoon of salt.

12. 12
How much sodium is How much sodium is
enough?enough?
Women who consume excess sodium Women who consume excess sodium
may be at higher risk for developing may be at higher risk for developing
osteoporosis osteoporosis
Some evidence suggests that for each Some evidence suggests that for each
teaspoon of salt consumed, considerable teaspoon of salt consumed, considerable
calcium is excreted in the urine.calcium is excreted in the urine.

13. 13
How does sodium affect people How does sodium affect people
with kidney disease? with kidney disease?
Having kidney disease means your Having kidney disease means your
kidneys cannot get rid of excess sodium kidneys cannot get rid of excess sodium
and fluid from your body.and fluid from your body.
As sodium and fluid build up in your As sodium and fluid build up in your
tissues and bloodstream, your blood tissues and bloodstream, your blood
pressure increases and you feel pressure increases and you feel
uncomfortable.uncomfortable.

14. 14
How does sodium affect people How does sodium affect people
with kidney disease?with kidney disease?
Particularly damaging is sodium's link to Particularly damaging is sodium's link to
high blood pressure. high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can cause more High blood pressure can cause more
damage to unhealthy kidneys damage to unhealthy kidneys
This damage further reduces kidney This damage further reduces kidney
function, resulting in even more fluid and function, resulting in even more fluid and
waste build up in the body waste build up in the body

15. 15
Other sodium-related complications Other sodium-related complications
include the following:include the following:
1.1.Edema:Edema: noticeable swelling in your legs, noticeable swelling in your legs,
hands and face hands and face
2.2.Heart failure:Heart failure: excess fluid in the excess fluid in the
bloodstream can overwork your heart bloodstream can overwork your heart
making it enlarged and weak making it enlarged and weak
3.3.Shortness of breath:Shortness of breath: fluid can build up in fluid can build up in
the lungs, making it difficult to breathe the lungs, making it difficult to breathe

16. 16
Sodium and the renal diet Sodium and the renal diet
Controlling blood pressure is important in Controlling blood pressure is important in
managing kidney disease managing kidney disease
Restriction is recommended if blood Restriction is recommended if blood
pressure is high or if you are retaining fluid pressure is high or if you are retaining fluid
Low sodium diets range from 1,000 to Low sodium diets range from 1,000 to
2,000 mg based on individual 2,000 mg based on individual
requirements requirements

17. 17
Sodium and the renal dietSodium and the renal diet
If you have other medical conditions, such If you have other medical conditions, such
as heart or liver disease, you may need to as heart or liver disease, you may need to
restrict sodium more. restrict sodium more.
If you are at stage 5 CKD, also known as If you are at stage 5 CKD, also known as
(ESRD), and require dialysis you will be (ESRD), and require dialysis you will be
asked to follow a low sodium diet.asked to follow a low sodium diet.
The diet will help with B/P control, It will The diet will help with B/P control, It will
also help you control thirst and fluid intake also help you control thirst and fluid intake

18. 18
Sodium and the renal dietSodium and the renal diet
Controlling sodium Controlling sodium
intake will help avoid intake will help avoid
cramping and blood cramping and blood
pressure drops during pressure drops during
dialysis. dialysis.

19. 19
How to reduce sodium in the How to reduce sodium in the
dietdiet
Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items
without added salts. without added salts.
Limit the amount of salty snacks you eat, Limit the amount of salty snacks you eat,
such as chips. such as chips.
Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables
to homemade dishes. to homemade dishes.

20. 20
How to reduce sodium in the dietHow to reduce sodium in the diet
Select unsalted, fat-free broths or soups. Select unsalted, fat-free broths or soups.
Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium,
low-fat cheeses, as well as low-fat yogurt. low-fat cheeses, as well as low-fat yogurt.
Specify what you want and how you want Specify what you want and how you want
it prepared when dining out. Ask for your it prepared when dining out. Ask for your
dish to be prepared without salt. dish to be prepared without salt.
Use spices and herbs to enhance the Use spices and herbs to enhance the
taste of your food. taste of your food.

21. 21
How to reduce sodium in the dietHow to reduce sodium in the diet
Read food labels. Read food labels.

22. 22
Read food labelsRead food labels

23. 23
Do not add salt at the tableDo not add salt at the table

24. 24
Avoid High sodium foodsAvoid High sodium foods