The human body can't live without some percentage of sodium in the body. It's needed to transmit nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle fibers including those in the heart and blood vessels, and maintain a proper fluid balance, balance of water and minerals. It is estimated that we need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions. Those with the most dire need for salt will typically have lower blood pressure. An ideal blood pressure would be close to 115/75. Someone with a lower blood pressure may need salt and will likely be light-headed when they go from kneeling to standing. Urine pH can also indicate a need for salt. Remember, severe salt loss is very unlikely to happen because our diets contain more than enough salt. Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below the normal range of 135 - 145 mEq/L. In severe cases, low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death.
The human body contains many salts, amongst which sodium chloride (common table salt) is the major one, making up around 0.4 per cent of the body's weight at a concentration pretty well equivalent to that in seawater. So a 50kg person would contain around 200g of sodium chloride - around 40 teaspoons, to be precise. But for good health, you must eliminate the salt shaker. Avoid using garlic salt, onion salt, MSG, meat tenderizers, broth mixes, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, barbeque sauce, sauerkraut, olives, pickles, pickle relish, bacon bits, and croutons. Avoid most "fast foods" and processed foods.
