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Ask Buck

Eat More Salt?

My understanding is that the maximum amount of sodium you should have in your diet is about 2,400 mg. Is there a minimum amount you should have? I perspire excessively and get headaches without salt replenishment.

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Question:

My understanding is that the maximum amount of sodium you should have in your diet is about 2,400 mg. Is there a minimum amount you should have? I perspire excessively and get headaches without salt replenishment.

Submitted by – John, Ft. Myers, FL

Answer:

Actually, 2,400 mg is the recommended daily allowance of salt. That means that people far more knowledgeable than I do suggest that your body needs about 2,400 mg per day. Headaches, however, are more likely to be from water depletion and not salt depletion—so before overloading on salt, I suggest you try downing more water and see if the headaches go away. Then, if you’re sure you need more salt, you should take in more. But not a huge amount more. —Buck

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