
Hello I'm On A Very Low Sodium Diet. About 400mg

Question: hello I'm on a very low sodium diet. about 400mg a day. is this safe? I dont eat junk food. mainly fruit, veggies and chicken/ whole grain food. so I rarely get sodium. is 400 mg to low?

hello I'm on a very low sodium diet. about 400mg a day. is this safe? I dont eat junk food. mainly fruit, veggies and chicken/ whole grain food. so I rarely get sodium. is 400 mg to low?
Brief Answer:
This is normal!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your body closely regulates the total body sodium. If you eat less, the body hangs unto much and retains and when you eat more, the body tries to excrete as much as possible. When much is taken, the body has a limit to adequately excreting and as such leads to fluid retention with ensuing consequences. When less is taken, there is really no harm as the body often regulates closely. This is what we recommend.
However, 500mg is the lowest acceptable limit I recommend to my patients. I will encourage you to keep your intake to at least 500mg daily.
I wish you well. Reach back to us if you have further concerns.
This is normal!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your body closely regulates the total body sodium. If you eat less, the body hangs unto much and retains and when you eat more, the body tries to excrete as much as possible. When much is taken, the body has a limit to adequately excreting and as such leads to fluid retention with ensuing consequences. When less is taken, there is really no harm as the body often regulates closely. This is what we recommend.
However, 500mg is the lowest acceptable limit I recommend to my patients. I will encourage you to keep your intake to at least 500mg daily.
I wish you well. Reach back to us if you have further concerns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Brief Answer:
This is normal!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your body closely regulates the total body sodium. If you eat less, the body hangs unto much and retains and when you eat more, the body tries to excrete as much as possible. When much is taken, the body has a limit to adequately excreting and as such leads to fluid retention with ensuing consequences. When less is taken, there is really no harm as the body often regulates closely. This is what we recommend.
However, 500mg is the lowest acceptable limit I recommend to my patients. I will encourage you to keep your intake to at least 500mg daily.
I wish you well. Reach back to us if you have further concerns.
This is normal!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your body closely regulates the total body sodium. If you eat less, the body hangs unto much and retains and when you eat more, the body tries to excrete as much as possible. When much is taken, the body has a limit to adequately excreting and as such leads to fluid retention with ensuing consequences. When less is taken, there is really no harm as the body often regulates closely. This is what we recommend.
However, 500mg is the lowest acceptable limit I recommend to my patients. I will encourage you to keep your intake to at least 500mg daily.
I wish you well. Reach back to us if you have further concerns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj


Thank you much! I'm 25 years old and have elavated bp 135/87 is my average. I'm 6ft, 228 pounds. So I'm cutting down sodium to lower my bp. I hope that just because I've had elavated bp for the last 3 years that this doesn't mean my arteries have clogged or calcified

Thank you much! I'm 25 years old and have elavated bp 135/87 is my average. I'm 6ft, 228 pounds. So I'm cutting down sodium to lower my bp. I hope that just because I've had elavated bp for the last 3 years that this doesn't mean my arteries have clogged or calcified
Brief Answer:
NO, your arteries have not clogged!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Three years with such moderately elevated blood pressure would not have caused your arteries to clog within three years. Happy to know you are modifying your diet to address this.
I wish you well.
NO, your arteries have not clogged!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Three years with such moderately elevated blood pressure would not have caused your arteries to clog within three years. Happy to know you are modifying your diet to address this.
I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng

Brief Answer:
NO, your arteries have not clogged!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Three years with such moderately elevated blood pressure would not have caused your arteries to clog within three years. Happy to know you are modifying your diet to address this.
I wish you well.
NO, your arteries have not clogged!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Three years with such moderately elevated blood pressure would not have caused your arteries to clog within three years. Happy to know you are modifying your diet to address this.
I wish you well.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
