Most people are well aware that they should limit their sodium intake, but many don’t realize just how detrimental excessive sodium intake can be. In fact, according to a recent study published in Nutrients, 24-hour urinary sodium is positively associated with urinary calcium levels and inversely associated with areal bone mineral density. In other words, the more sodium you consume, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis. Here are three reasons why you should avoid excessive sodium intake:
Excessive sodium intake can lead to dehydration
Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body. However, too much sodium can lead to dehydration by causing the body to excrete more water than it takes in. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. In severe cases, it can lead to heat stroke, seizures, and even death. Therefore, it’s important to limit your sodium intake to avoid dehydration.
Excessive sodium intake can increase blood pressure
Sodium helps regulate blood pressure by drawing water into the blood vessels. However, too much sodium can cause an increase in blood pressure by causing the body to retain more water than it needs. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Therefore, limiting your sodium intake is important to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
Excessive sodium intake can worsen osteoporosis.
As mentioned earlier, a recent study published in Nutrients found that 24-hour urinary sodium is positively associated with urinary calcium levels and inversely associated with areal bone mineral density. This means that the more sodium you consume, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and fragile. It’s often described as “silent” because there are usually no symptoms until a bone breaks. Therefore, it’s important to limit your sodium intake to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Sodium and Bone Density
In a recent study published in Nutrients, researchers looked at the correlation between 24-hour urinary sodium levels and areal bone mineral density in 102 healthy nonobese women. They found that there was a positive correlation between urinary sodium and calcium levels for all participants and that urinary sodium was inversely associated with areal bone mineral density for all participants. However, this association was only present in women with lower calcium intakes; among women with higher calcium intakes, there was no significant association between urinary sodium and bone mineral density.
What Does This Mean for Salt?
This research suggests that sodium intake may play a role in bone health, but that the effect may be dependent on calcium intake. For women with lower calcium intakes, higher sodium intake was associated with lower bone density. This is significant because osteoporosis is a major concern for many aging adults, particularly postmenopausal women. If further research confirms that sodium intake does indeed affect bone health, this could have implications for dietary recommendations for those at risk for osteoporosis.
Conclusion
Most people know they should limit their sodium intake, but many don’t realize just how detrimental excessive sodium intake can be. Excessive sodium intake can lead to dehydration, increased blood pressure, and worsened osteoporosis. Therefore, it’s essential to limit your sodium intake to maintain a healthy fluid balance in the body and reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22254088/
