CUT THE SALT

[crazyphil]

I have been in the hospital 3 times since last August with breathing
problems. I was retaining fluid, especially affecting
my heart and lungs. All 3 times they gave me Lasix by IV and
it took care of the problem temporarily.

Early this month (July) I had an appointment with my Cardiologist.
She told me to cut my sodium intake down to
not more than 1,500 mg. a day. When you start reading labels
for sodium content, you find that cutting down to under 1,500 mg
is not very easy.

I have managed pretty well keeping well under 1,500 and am
reaping the benefits. No breathing problems, fewer nighttime
trips to the bathroom, sleep much better, and I lost about 10
pounds. Probably most of the loss is fluid, but I feel much better.

Before I cut the sodium sleeping 4 hours at a time was unheard of
but now It's getting to be about normal.

I wish I had gone on a low-sodium diet a long time ago.

[6518John]

Phil I thought you wrote you were taking “Lasix” not “Lacix!” I was going to list you as an early entry in the Kentucky Derby. Crazy Phil would be an excellent name for a race horse.

[Rustyt1953]

Phil it's good that you are getting it under control.

As to salt, we are Mr and Mrs Jack Spratt.

I under salt my food and haven't used table salt for decades. Ruthie keeps a salt lick on the table. Our blood pressures are both normal.

Some folks just get wired differently.

[MRB1]

I need to do that in the worse way. Doctors all tell me to cut it out of my diet, and I continue to over-salt everything. I just love the stuff, and am too hard-headed to listen. So, I put the salt shakers away, and will have to get used to tasteless food until my taste buds adjust. Thanks for the push.

[walkin jack]

Life can be so funny. I have just the opposite problem. I have Bartters Syndrome. It's a kidney condition Which causes my body to waste salt and electrolytes.

I take lots of prescription potassium/magnesium. Even as a child I have always craved salt. I put it on just about everything...except Blue Bell. If I was to eat a bowl of salt I'd put salt on it first. I'm the only person I know or have ever heard of who is told by a doctor to eat all the salt I want.

I chalk it up to the balance of life. I have my share of crosses to bear but I don't have back or blood pressure problems and I can eat anything I want and I still have a hard step in my walk.

It's called playin' the cards you're dealt. I still have a couple of aces in my hand....

[jbtrucker]

Good for you crazyphil stay on the straight and narrow path. I've strayed and britches are getting snug again.

[smoothshooter]

I am lucky.
I salt everything pretty good before I taste it except sweets and cereal. Have done it for over 50 years, and have no health problems related to salt that I know of. Get blood work and bp check two or 3 times a year.

If I had to cut back as much as you have, or give it up totally, I would probably be so irritable no one would want to be around me.

[walkin jack]

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

I am lucky.
I salt everything pretty good before I taste it except sweets and cereal. Have done it for over 50 years, and have no health problems related to salt that I know of. Get blood work and bp check two or 3 times a year.

If I had to cut back as much as you have, or give it up totally, I would probably be so irritable no one would want to be around me.

If you will promise to keep it under your hat I'll share a little secret...Salt on Frosted Mini Wheats. You're welcome.

[Grayfox]

I had a heart attack way back in 2000. Doc told me to cut the salt. These days I don't really try to avoid salt, but I never add it to anything. So far, so good.

[sheepdawg]

My tomatoes are so tasty this year they don't need salt.

Salt them a little anyway.

[Rustyt1953]

My dad put salt on watermelon and black pepper on cantaloupe. I've only seen a few other folks do that.

[Chubbo]

Most of the Old Poops, that I’m acquainted with, are on low salt diets, myself included.

There are some notable exceptions. Our former, next door neighbors, victims of the Covid virus, claimed to hate the taste of salt. They took doctor prescribed medicine, to replace salt.

When I told my cardiologist, that I really craved salt, he told me, ‘When you really crave salt, eat some’. His explanation was, ‘animals, including humans, can’t survive without salt’. Animals sometimes travel hundreds of miles to a ‘salt lick’.

It amazes me, given our scientist’s technology, that a substitute for salt, that tastes like salt, hasn't been discovered

Thankfully, for some unknown reason, my craving for salt, has diminished, making it easier for me.

All of you folks, keep up the good work, and control your salt intake.

[GaryS]

The rule is "Water follows Sodium" not salt per se.

For people with compromised cardiac function, like Phil and a lot of other people, too much Sodium in your diet means that you will retain water. Water then gets into the lungs, which causes the breathing problems.

We used to use Lasix (Furosemide) a lot in EMS for patients with Congestive Heart Failure. It caused patients to urinate and the Sodium followed it out. It's still used as a medication, but most ambulance services have removed it from the protocols because it can dehydrate patients and make it harder to manage in the hospital.

It was not uncommon to see patients with CHF late at night or early in the morning. More often than not, part of their story was that they ate something very salty and a few hours later had trouble breathing. Easter was a big time of year for that as people would eat ham for dinner. Or, they'd be at a cook out and have a couple of hot dogs. Both of those are loaded with salt.

During one of my previous weight loss forays, the dietitian told me that there is enough salt in most foods so that adding it isn't necessary. From her, I learned to read labels on packaged foods. Ironically, diet sodas have a lot of salt in them, as do pre made dinners. Some "low fat" foods have salt added to make them taste better. Fat tastes good, but it's not particularly healthy or good for keeping weight off.

There are for electrolytes that the heart and other muscles need to function properly. They are Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium. All are metals and are necessary for muscles to work properly.

Another potential issue with diuretics is low Potassium, but I won't bore the group with how that works other than to say that's why some people take supplements while others eat foods with a lot of Potassium like bananas.

[MRB1]

Originally Posted by Rustyt1953

My dad put salt on watermelon and black pepper on cantaloupe. I've only seen a few other folks do that.

Me Too !! Watermelon and salt was a good match, but a good vine-ripened melon is good with or without. A cantaloupe is so much better with black pepper.

[jeffrefrig]

crazyphil, I hope you get everything under control. I go to my doctor twice a year, probably for at least 8 years now. They check my blood also. She says I have my type 2 diabetes in check, blood pressure's always good, and everything they check in those 3 vials of blood is always good. This week she'll be glad I lost 30 pounds since last visit in January. Down to 200# even. But, I always give her something to (complain) about as I like beer! This week I see her and it's time for my annual urinary drug scan, since I have pain meds for my spinal stenosis. My frien had that extra fluid in his system and they gave him water pills which made him lose 25# of fluid. That was after all his heart-related operations & treatments. These doctors know their (stuff) and when it comes to the heart I guess you gotta pay attention. I haven't been told anything about salt yet but this time of year my watermelon and tomatoes both get salt & pepper. I'm not sure, but I don't think beer is all that good for me, either! Good luck with your health.
Also, everybody else here that has heart issues. As GaryS stated, the processed foods are loaded with sodium. I try to stay away from them, except for Spaghettios, with those little round things they call meatballs! Not very often but it's my go to food when I have the hungries and don't feel like cooking real food.

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by GaryS

During one of my previous weight loss forays, the dietitian told me that there is enough salt in most foods so that adding it isn't necessary.

Essentially these were my late mother's words to me. She had high blood pressure for a substantial part of her life, so I listened to her and it paid off for better than 50 years for me. I discovered that after a while I didn't miss the salt I was adding to my food.

[GaryS]

I was never all that interested in adding salt, so it was easy to stop.

One of the harsh truths is that the older we get, the more things we need to cut back or cut out.

Originally Posted by Golddollar

Essentially these were my late mother's words to me. She had high blood pressure for a substantial part of her life, so I listened to her and it paid off for better than 50 years for me. I discovered that after a while I didn't miss the salt I was adding to my food.

[quikdraw67]

One of the worst offenders regarding sodium are the fast food/fast casual places.

I made a lifestyle change just about 2 years ago and dropped a lot of weight.

I stopped eating fast food, and got careful about everything else.

Go to Eat This Not That and look at the sodium amounts in the food, not to mention fat and calories. and you'll rethink that Double Whopper with Cheese, onion rings, and a strawberry shake.

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by quikdraw67

Go to Eat This Not That and look at the sodium amounts in the food, not to mention fat and calories. and you'll rethink that Double Whopper with Cheese, onion rings, and a strawberry shake.

All the good stuff!

[Ole Joe Clark]

I weighed 151.2 yesterday, Sunday, and 151 the Sunday before. Sunday is my official weigh in, check everything day. I check BP, temp, and oxygen level and log it.

I do add salt to mater sandwiches and salads, but not much else. I don't watch what I eat, but how much. I had one (1) vanilla wafer after supper tonight for desert.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[hsguy]

If it tastes good spit it out! Probably not good for you.

[zeke]

Had to go on real low sodium diet 7 years ago. Quickest way there was to quit eating bread, most any prepared packaged food (esspecially canned soup) and eating out. Almost everything packaged has salt in it

Now simply do not like too much salt in/on my food, but still do lot of other dietary no-no's

[THE PILGRIM]

Glad you got it under control!
There seems to be a massive amount of salt and often sugar In just about every prepared food made!

[Rustyt1953]

As they have grown older the Average White Band released an updated version of "Cut the Cake" entitled "Cut the Salt".



I can find my way out.

[bgrafsr]

Originally Posted by Rustyt1953

My dad put salt on watermelon and black pepper on cantaloupe. I've only seen a few other folks do that.

I use salt on the watermelon, never heard of pepper on cantaloupe.

[THE PILGRIM]

Black Pepper on cantaloupe is a Down South Thang.
Like putting Peanuts in your RC.

[Nevada Ed]

Salt & sugar are not that good for your body if you look into what they do
to most people.

I try to use low-salt, pepper, sauces , even vinegar to make me enjoy my foods
now that I am in my "Silver years".

"White" is also bad, like bread, pasta, flour, potatoes ........ carbs etc.
that I love and try to push aside as much as possible but I got to have an
Italian or Basque meal every now and then, just becasuse..............

More Vino !

[Rustyt1953]

[mmaher94087]

Humans are hardwired for salt (NaCl). Try a product called NO SALT. It's Potassium Chloride. It's the Sodium (Na) that causes problems. Also, try Lemon juice in a salad or a Taco as that is a good substitute for the salt taste.

[Chubbo]

I’d like to thank GaryS, for his comments, and his public service. His information is, thoughtful, learned, helpful, and certainly appreciated.

Now I’ll confound everyone, as I have our family doctor. I’ve been diagnosed with type two diabetes, and have been treated for it for many years, yet when I’ve consumed a sizable amount of sugar filled food, my sugar level invariably, markedly drops.

I have about decided, to eat what I want, and except the consequences.

Enough said.

[STCM(SW)]

Once again salt is going to kill you!
What a crock!
With out some salt, you will cease to live.
Just a fact of life.
Critters will travel many miles just to get some salt.
Deer salt licks are a good way of knowing where they are.
And I believe the word salary came from the word salt.

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by STCM(SW)

Once again salt is going to kill you!
What a crock!
With out some salt, you will cease to live.
Just a fact of life.
Critters will travel many miles just to get some salt.
Deer salt licks are a good way of knowing where they are.
And I believe the word salary came from the word salt.

Your facts are correct. Some salt is absolutely necessary for life. Part of my mother's advice to lay off adding salt to food was based on the premise that processed food contained all the salt necessary for life.

[merl67]

Yes we do need salt to live, but an over abundance of it in the body isn't good. At 54 having to adjust what I eat is tough, packaged food is full of it, so is fast food. I recently started wheezing retaining fluid around the ankles. I have lowered my salt intake wheezing has went away still working on the fluid retention. I haven't been to the doctor just trying to modify what I eat, and lose about 30 lbs.