{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Sodium and Your CKD Diet","description":"When most people think of sodium, they think of salt. In this episode of Let\u2019s Talk About Kidneys, Dallas Nephrology Associates\u2019 Senior Clinical Dietitian Carolyn Cochran breaks down what sodium is, how to identify it in common foods and ways to make lifestyle adjustments for healthier kidneys.  What is sodium? Sodium is one of three important electrolytes found in the body.  Electrolytes control the fluids going in and out of your body\u2019s tissues and cells.    \u201cSodium is essential for life,\u201d Carolyn says. \u201cIt's in animals, vegetables, minerals and is important for muscle function, nerve function, and for fluid balance.\u201d    Many types of salt are used to season food. A survey conducted by the American Heart Association found that more than 60 percent of respondents thought that sea salt was healthier than table salt. But whether you\u2019re using kosher salt, table salt or Himalayan black salt, Carolyn says all salts are equal.    \u201cThe bottom line is that they all contain sodium and the amount of sodium is comparable,\u201d says Carolyn.    Sodium and your kidneys Sodium is an essential nutrient in your body. One of the jobs of the kidneys is to keep sodium in balance, Carolyn says. If sodium is out of balance, your body\u2019s fluid balance is also affected. This can affect muscle and nerve function.  How does sodium affect blood pressure?  Many people have a sensitivity to salt, which can be exhibited in high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is the number two cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), second only to diabetes. What is a low-sodium diet?  In the U.S., 2,300 milligrams is considered a healthy target. Carolyn says that the average U.S. citizen will consume 3,500 to more than 5,000 milligrams of sodium per day, especially when dining out. A low-sodium diet is about 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams.  Only a small percentage of the population who experience excessive sweat loss due to exercise\u2013such as athletes\u2013need more sodium. But Carolyn says most people could benefit from a low-sodium diet.  Tracking your sodium intake For people who want to track their sodium intake, Carolyn recommends starting with a base of about 500 milligrams to leave room for the sodium that naturally occurs in foods.  Hidden sodium A teaspoon of salt has 2,000 milligrams of sodium, but sodium isn\u2019t just found in a salt shaker. Many foods have \u201chidden\u201d sodium.  \u201cSodium grows out of the ground. Sodium is in animals. It is just everywhere,\u201d Carolyn says. \u201cSo you've got to give credit to those first 500, maybe even 600 milligrams of sodium, and then you can start counting (your sodium intake).\u201d Reading labels Getting into the habit of reading labels is important for anyone who needs to track their sodium intake. At the top of the label, the serving size can be found. The size of the portions are determined by the manufacturer. The sodium content is found near the middle of the label and is measured in milligrams.    To the right of the sodium is a percentage of the recommended amount of sodium in a diet, but Carolyn says to remember that this number might not be the percentage that you are aiming for if you\u2019re on a low-sodium diet.   Medical Nutrition Therapy If you need help managing your sodium intake, Carolyn suggests talking to your doctor about Medical Nutrition Therapy. Dallas Nephrology Associates has registered dietitian nutritionists who are experienced in helping patients who have renal disease. \u201cWe realize that every person is complex and that many things need to be taken into account,\u201d Carolyn says.   ","author_name":"Let\u2019s Talk About Kidneys","author_url":"https:\/\/www.dneph.com\/","html":"