salt

At times, I am craving salt so badly. I can basically eat it straight. Somebody told me that I was short of certain supplements in my body. I know not to eat the salt but sometimes it is hard to resist.

Anybody familiar with it or knows why my body is craving salt?

Thanks.

Wow I love salt and could never eat it straight. That would make me gag. =O

We need sodium. Maybe you're not getting enough? Maybe drinking too much water and not taking in enough sodium that you're actually flushing it out?

You can safely take in 6g salt (or 2400mg sodium) a day.  If you're trying to get less than that, maybe increase it a litle.  If the cravings are particularly severe you should talk to your doctor and ask their advice.  I'll copy this extract from a medical website.

"Salt regulates water retention in the body through the kidneys and adrenal glands. It is high in iodine, which is a mineral needed for thyroid function If you are craving salt, it may be your body asking for more iodine or potassium, or pointing to a fluid imbalance."

I love salt.  When I started here I tried to keep my sodium under 2400 mg... I started getting lightheaded.  I went to the doctor and he asked about my sodium.. he sternly talked to me about regulating it.. Basically he said if it ain't broke, don't fix it...  My blood pressure was low from the low-er sodium I was intaking and that was causing the lightheadedness.  I started salting my food and stopped regulating salt intake and I was back to normal in no time.  My doctor said that everyone is different, and being that I am very active and live in Florida (hot) I need more sodium.  Keep that in mind.  If you have questions, go see your doctor.