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Salty Facts – Heart Failure and Sodium
Dietary sodium restriction is one of the most common self-care behaviors suggested to patients with heart failure. Although putting less salt on foods is a step in the right direction, it isn’t enough. There is so much hidden salt in foods that people aren't aware of – more than 75 percent of sodium Americans consume is estimated to come from processed foods – not the salt shaker. In this video, Mayo Clinic cardiologist, Dr. Farris Timimi discusses ways patients with heart failure can more effectively control their sodium intake.
How do you monitor how much sodium you're consuming? Reducing your salt-intake can feel like a balancing act – what challenges do you face while trying to regulate sodium?
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@jlharsh
Okay, now I understand why I crave iodized salt:
Iodine is a vital mineral used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones (\(T_{3}\) and \(T_{4}\)) that regulate metabolism, heart function, and body temperature. It is essential for brain development in fetuses and infants, protein synthesis, and preventing conditions like goiters. Most people get enough iodine through diet, such as iodized salt, dairy, and seafood.Key Functions of Iodine in the Body:Thyroid Hormone Production: The primary role of iodine is to enable the thyroid gland to produce triiodothyronine (\(T_{3}\)) and thyroxine (\(T_{4}\)), which control the body's metabolic rate.Brain and Nervous System Development: Adequate iodine intake is critical during pregnancy and infancy for proper brain development and growth.Metabolism Regulation: Thyroid hormones,, which depend on iodine, regulate essential biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity.Goiter Prevention: Iodine prevents the enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter), which occurs when the body tries to compensate for insufficient hormone production.Supporting Growth: It is essential for healthy development, including bone and cognitive development in children.Consequences of Iodine Imbalance:Too Little (Deficiency): Can lead to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), goiter, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays.Too Much (Excess): Can cause thyroid dysfunction, including hyperthyroidism or inflammation.Recommended Daily Intake (RDI):Adults: 150 micrograms (mcg) daily.Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: 220–290 mcg daily.Common Sources:Iodized salt, seaweed (kelp), seafood, dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), and eggs.
Now, I have been spayed twice, partcial, and complete, so I went a long time without horemone replacement until my husband could not take it anymore and found a doctor who could give me synthetic hormone patches ( I am vegan and a hard core animal rights activist, some hormone replacements come from horse urine, draining the urine from mares impregmated over and over, I will not be part of that horror). The patch made me feel human again, the best I ever felt! Then I needed stronger and bigger patches, I was addicted. Frustrated, went cold turkey. A new form of insanity, but I am strong and survived, never replacing horemones again, or so I thought. Now seaweed tastes too fishy to me (funny coming from a Pieces), so iodized salt is why I reach for it. Yet, I bet I can find a vegan form of iodine pills, right? Dr. MsMaryMac will fix me right up! 😃
Sorry for all you have been through. Seaweed is a good source of iodine, but you need to be careful where it is grown or you will get heavh metals. I try for the North Atlantic.
Best wishes.