II. Background

  1. Sodium Chloride (Table Salt, NaCl)
  2. Dietary Uses
    1. Preservative
    2. Seasoning
  3. Daily physiologic need
    1. See Sodium and Water Homeostasis
    2. Sodium intake of 500 mg

III. Dosing

  1. Adequate Intake of Sodium: 1500 mg/day
  2. Low Sodium Diet
    1. Recommended Daily Sodium Limit in Comorbid conditions (e.g. CHF, Hypertension): 2300 mg/day
  3. High Sodium Diet
    1. Typical Intake of Sodium in U.S. (excessive) > 3400 mg/day

IV. Preparations: Common Food Sources of High Sodium

  1. Breads
    1. Sodium 80 to 230 mg per slice bread
  2. Frozen Pizza
    1. Sodium 370 to 730 mg per slice pizza
  3. Hamburgers
    1. Sodium averages 500 mg per serving
    2. McDonald's Big Mac contains 1000 mg Sodium
  4. Hot Dogs or brats
    1. Sodium 500-600 mg per serving (may contain >1000 mg in some brands)
  5. Processed Meat Slices (e.g. cold cuts, ham, turkey, submarine sandwiches)
    1. Sodium 1100 mg per 3 oz ham or a 6 inch submarine sandwich
  6. Snacks (chips, crackers, pretzels)
    1. Sodium in hard pretzels 300 to 400 mg per ounce
  7. Tacos
    1. Sodium 200-300 mg per taco
  8. Burrito
    1. Sodium 900-1000 mg per burrito
  9. Soups
    1. Canned soup Sodium averages 700 mg per cup of soup
    2. Chicken Noodle soup contains 1200 mg per cup of soup
  10. Salad Dressing
    1. Sodium averages 300 mg per 2 tsp bottled salad dressing
  11. Cheese
    1. Sodium 300-400 mg per slice of processed cheese
  12. Pickled Cucumber
    1. Sodium 700-800 mg per medium pickled cucumber
  13. Canned Spinach
    1. Sodium 400 mg per cup

V. Adverse Effects: Excessive Dietary Salt

  1. Worsening of Hypertension
  2. Congestive Heart Failure exacerbation
  3. Osteopenia or Osteoporosis (due to related Calcium losses)

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