Sodium?

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

i was just wondering how detrimental it is to keep sodium intake to a minimum while trying to drop bf...


how much sodium is too much?

will water retention really be that much if sodium intake is to high?

my bf is quite high at the moment(pics in my log). The primary goal for the first 6-8 weeks of my cycle is to drop bf drastically. would too much sodium adversely effect my fat loss or just keep water weight on me?

any info. or insight into the subject would be appreciated

cheers

[Praetorian]

In a word EXTREMELY detrimental...that is unless you enjoy retaining water, not being able to fully contract your muscles, and cramping insanely...then go for it.
P

[MMASTAR]

How much sodium are you ingestine that you are concerned? try these http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284
http://www.weightlossforall.com/sodium-intake-weight.htm

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

How much sodium are you ingestine that you are concerned? try these http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284
http://www.weightlossforall.com/sodium-intake-weight.htm

i am not concerned at all... it was just a question... i seem to always read "keep sodium low" whenever researching cutting diets. i was just wondering how crazy i should be about it.

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

by the way thanks for the article. gonna give it a quick once over

[Praetorian]

Keeping sodium low while contest dieting is probably the worst advice I have ever heard. The question you need to answer is...what role does sodium play in the body? When you get the answer to that you will understand why limiting sodium is a huge mistake.
Those articles are in lay terms to say the least and not applicable to training athletes. For a dieting BB as carbs decrease daily sodium intake will rise.

P

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

Keeping sodium low while contest dieting is probably the worst advice I have ever heard. The question you need to answer is...what role does sodium play in the body? When you get the answer to that you will understand why limiting sodium is a huge mistake.
Those articles are in lay terms to say the least and not applicable to training athletes. For a dieting BB as carbs decrease daily sodium intake will rise.

P

thanks bro...i guess its a topic i need to research a bit. I just thought id ask about it because it seems to be so prevolent(the low sodium mindset) in peoples perception of a "cutting diet".

[St]

Keeping sodium low while contest dieting is probably the worst advice I have ever heard. The question you need to answer is...what role does sodium play in the body? When you get the answer to that you will understand why limiting sodium is a huge mistake.
Those articles are in lay terms to say the least and not applicable to training athletes. For a dieting BB as carbs decrease daily sodium intake will rise.

P

Yep or you will cramp like a mother Faker,i know that feeling well.Don't get it on my High fat,Moderate protein,high Sodium.For me it about 5-12 grams Sodium a day.But i do know the only people that can't have High sodium are people with Kidney Problems.

[Ron Partlow]

I totally believe that sodium is so important that it should be considered a performance enhancer in every way. As an athlete you need way more than the average person. I keep mine high year round. I use ketchup, hot sauce, sea salt, and BBQ sauce all the way up to the show.

I don't use crazy amounts, but I do use a tablespoon of something on each meal, at least.

[cnelson09]

from what ive heard... you shouldnt worry about sodium unless your doing a contest and then some say cut it out 72 hours before the show so you can drop the water retention, but i dont think it has anything to do with storing bodyfat.. IMO

[Praetorian]

I totally believe that sodium is so important that it should be considered a performance enhancer in every way. As an athlete you need way more than the average person. I keep mine high year round. I use ketchup, hot sauce, sea salt, and BBQ sauce all the way up to the show.

I don't use crazy amounts, but I do use a tablespoon of something on each meal, at least.

Bingo....nice to see you here Ron...are you competing in Vancouver this year?
P

[Praetorian]

from what ive heard... you shouldnt worry about sodium unless your doing a contest and then some say cut it out 72 hours before the show so you can drop the water retention, but i dont think it has anything to do with storing bodyfat.. IMO


24 hours out only...and you are correct it has nothing to do with storing BF.
P

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

thanks guys! personally i have a hard time eating certain foods without adding condiments(usually moderate in sodium) to them. I appreciate the answers, i feel a little more comfortable now about the way i structure some of my meals. Its great being able to ask the pro's a question sometimes... there always seems to be so many guys that just parrot an answer they recieved or read, without any personal experience and factual base. Ive even been tempted to do so myself at times....but i know better...lol

thanks again

[AlbertaBeef]

Read Ron's post here http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1843

[JifeLacket]

Yep sodium is SUPER important especially for bb'ers and athletes.. i put salt on my sandwiches, salad, even salt on my salt! If your sweat doesn't taste salty as fuk/it tastes like water then your intake is too low!

[InPursuitOfPerfection]

Read Ron's post here http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1843

wow thanks bro for the forward bro!

cheers to ron as well for postin the info... super informative

[Timbo89]

Worrying about sodium intake being too high when youre bodybuilding is wasted energy. Worry about the more important things like carbs and fats and protein and making sure ur getting the right amounts of those. Sodium is a very valuable tool to a bodybuilder who doesnt want to cramp or not be able to get full contractions in their muscles. staying adequately hydrated is necessary in bodybuilding. Hell, id go as far as to say water is one of the most anabolic compounds in terms of how important muscle hydration and overall hydration is... Keep the sodium up until about a day out of the show. Sodium wont affect fatloss so dont worry about it being too high in your diet. I think the big mistake some people make is associating high sodium with unhealthy foods, as its true that a lot of unhealthy foods are high in sodium... however its the million grams of fats and sugars that make them unhealthy, not the sodium.

[C-money]

Word brutha^^^^

[JonnyO]

No need for me to add in my .2cents as its all been covered for the most part, sodium has gotten a bad rap, sodium IS NOT evil. As a bodybuilder it is your friend.

I got a show in a week, and as Ron P and Pratorian do as well, I am still using my sugar free ketchup, seasoning salts and spices, you need to live.

[Ron Partlow]

Ya, after most people read that Sodium article by Scott Abel, they are usually left speechless.

With higher sodium, I've gone 27 hours without water for a contest and not had a single cramp or dizzy spell. Blood volume and electrolyte balance are key to feeling good on stage.

There are a lot of different ways to do things, but eliminating an essential electrolyte is not something I would ever recommend. I have had clients lower their sodium, by cutting out added sodium, but they still drank normal fluids (never distilled water) and ate the normal foods they were loading on. If you are really lean and ripped, you shouldn't have to even reduce it.

[Praetorian]

Distilled water is a huge mistake some guys make...too true. It will leach electrolytes and leave you flat and cramping...then add a diuretic and you have a disaster waiting to happen.
P

[O-Train]

Distilled water is a huge mistake some guys make...too true. It will leach electrolytes and leave you flat and cramping...then add a diuretic and you have a disaster waiting to happen.
P

Yeah, I could never figure out why guys do stuff like that. This time around I'm going to keep water high the whole way, not planning on cutting sodium either. So when everyone else is all dehydrated and crampy I'm going to be backstage sipping on a water bottle eating pretzels lol. I've never understood the sub Q water retention either. I guess with gear you guys get that? I never have, I just won't drink a ton of water so my abdomen isn't distended but that's about it.