Increased Salt - Is It Worth It?

[green]

A Scientific American article highlights the links between increased salt intake and cognitive dysfunction.

Apparently salt has a major impact on the gut-brain axis.

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/a-new-connection-between-the-gut-and-brain?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

 

[yogini]

There are many studies which talk about the negative impact of salt but unless these are done specifically  on dysautonomia patients, I don’t worry about them at all.  We are a totally different group that don’t get enough blood to our brains and other organs.  Many of us find that salt intake improves our bodily function and brings it closer to normal.  The longstanding advice from medical doctors who specialize in dysautonomia is that increase salt can be an effective treatment with minimal risks. 

Edited May 10, 2020 by yogini

[Pistol]

I agree with @yogini - increase in salt intake is NOT advisable for many people, but it is a PROVEN treatment for dysautonomia patients. 

[Sushi]

23 hours ago, yogini said:

There are many studies which talk about the negative impact of salt but unless these are done specifically  on dysautonomia patients, I don’t worry about them at all.  Weare a totally different group that don’t get enough blood to our brains and other organs.  Many of us find that salt intake improves our bodily function and brings it closer to normal.  The longstanding advice from medical doctors who specialize in dysautonomia is that increase salt can be an effective treatment with minimal risks. 

And, I have seen 3 different cardiologists (an electrophysiologist, a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist) in the last year (for a mitral valve issue), and all three told me to go "high salt" as they understood that this was necessary for dysautonomia patients. 

[Hippopotsamus]

So I have a follow up question. How much salt helps you & how do you get it? I have seen the range of 2-10 grams! I am not sure where in that range I should fall (and I‘m likely not getting enough because I’m so symptomatic right now?) I have tried liberally salting food, Nuun electrolyte tabs for my water, and SaltSticks (the saltsticks give me a really “yucky” head/chest/belly sensation about 15 minutes after I take them that passes after a couple minutes so they are not my favorite even though they are convenient.) What do you aim for each day for salt/water that helps you? 

[RecipeForDisaster]

I portion out 15gm salt which is my daily "prescription" and eat it throughout the day. I crave it so badly that I’ll just crunch on it... but I put it in water, make broth, put it on all foods including chocolate or ice cream, etc. It's never difficult for me to take in enough!

[PotsieCrocheter]

Great topic, green. I had this concern when I was first diagnosed. I agree with yogini, Pistol and Sushi. I would also like to point out, POTS patients take in lots of water with our prescribed salt, so this creates a different scenario then just taking high amounts of salt alone. I’ve also learned we’re all different with how much we need. I put faith in my Autonomic Specialist on deciding how much salt to water ratio I should take. (I measure it all out to be safe).

I don’t know exactly why, but substituting some of my table salt with unflavoured SaltSticks capsules, makes me feel a bit better. Maybe someone could explain why? (SaltSticks capsules are too expensive for me to take all the time though). Does anyone know an easy way to gauge how many salty snacks are okay on top of our prescribed salt?

[Chuske]

Dr Gupta says salt is only bad if your blood pressure is high, altho that was purely from a heart disease perspective.

I think if you are taking water and other electrolytes along with your salt then that should not be a problem? Maybe spread intake through the day, so stomach not suddenly filled with salty water? Whatever the short term effects of not having the salt, when you have POTS, outweigh any long-term ones in the gut or heart of having it.