Low Sodium

I know that it's bad to have very high sodium in our diets, but is it bad to have very low sodium?  The other day I noticed that I had only about 800 mg of sodium for the day, and I was wondering if that is bad for me.  I figured it probably was, so the next day I ate more sodium on purpose because I didn't want to upset my sodium/potassium balance... but I could be entirely wrong and misguided.  So is it bad, good, or neutral?

I checked several sites and they all said that the minimum for an adult is 500mg. 

Okay, thanks!

thought i'd just emphasise the fact that YES it is bad to have too little sodium. i had a friend who cut sodium from her diet because the doctor told her husband to cut back on sodium. she ended up in the hospital because of it. i have no idea how much she was taking in, but since i eat very few processed foods i only keep a casual eye on my sodium intake.

(the intersting part is the the hubby never had low sodium issues. i think he was "cheating".)

hyponatremia (low sodium in your blood) can be extremely dangerous if sodium concentrations are really low. That being said, the concentration of sodium in your blood shouldn't drop much even if you have a low sodium intake. Your kidneys do a good job of balancing your sodium/potassium for you. If you eat very little sodium, your kidneys will increase the reabsorption of sodium so that you don't lose as much. Even if you never looked at your sodium intake, your kidneys keep your serum concentration at about 140 mg/dL.

the body only needs 1 level tsp of salt max a day.

Depending on your diet you will get all that and more just eating the prepared foods around you.

I would put that amount of salt in my popcorn alone.

So yes watch the sodium especially if your obese and over 40 years of age.

But a good health monitor is to be checking your Blood pressure and pulse at least once a week..and keep a log.