What is sodium?

Sodium in your reports

Blood sodium appears in electrolyte and kidney function panels. MedlinePlus gives a normal range of 135 to 145 mEq/L, and ranges may vary slightly between labs.

If your result is low or high:

• It is usually about fluid balance, illness or medicines rather than just how much salt you eat.
• Discuss it with your doctor.

Why sodium matters

Your body needs some sodium to control fluid levels and help your nerves and muscles work.

But too much raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease, and the WHO also links high intake to:

• kidney disease
• osteoporosis

The WHO advises adults to keep total salt to less than 5 g in a day, roughly one teaspoon, and that includes the salt hidden in achar, papad, namkeen, bread and sauces.

Cutting down on salt

Cook with a little less salt and add flavour with lemon, ginger, garlic, jeera, ajwain, hing and fresh herbs instead.

Take the salt shaker off the dining table, and keep these as occasional extras:

• pickles and papad
• chips and namkeen
• instant noodles and packaged sauces

Fresh home-cooked food is usually lower in sodium than packaged or restaurant food. If you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, ask your doctor before switching to a potassium-based salt substitute.