More on sodium intake during alternate day eating

[Guest guest]

>

> The average sodium intake in the USA is 4000 mgs a day. At the

center ours is around 900-1200. Every week I see a 100 people who go

from 4000 to 900-1200 and watch them for 1 week to 6 months. I

rarely if ever see a problem in electrolyte balance, and if I do, it

is in someone with advanced kidney disease.

>

> The body adjusts not only to a lower sodium intake but also to a

higher fiber intake (which may create discomfort for a few days) lower

protein intake and etc etc

>

> However, remember, when you go on a fast, people are giving up lots

of things, besides salt, usually. And, there are many contributors to

why they may feel hungry or bad.

>

> Regards

> Jeff

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Jeff, I believe you're right, and we're not that far apart. Remember,

going from 4000 to 900-1200 mg is quite different than going from 4000

to zero. In fact, in the QOD diet, I recommend staying at 1500-2000

during the fasting or OFF day, and this can be lower if people can

follow a lower sodium diet during the ON day. I recommend staying on

1500-2000 mg during both ON and OFF days. (By the way, I think

average sodium intake is about 4000 for men and about 3000 for women).

Again, you don't need to do this if you follow a very low sodium diet

during the previous eating or ON day, but me, I like the occasional

slice of pizza or French bread with cheese and mayo, and so I probably

am closer to 1500-2000 mg/day during my ON days, which is quite in

line with Department of Agriculture 2005 recs or Institute of Medicine

recs (I believe some of them are now going down to 1200 mg/day - but

few people really do this).

I agree with you that feeling hungry is due to more than just sodium.

The point is, that no one (that I know of, anyway) has ever talked

about the sodium angle before. The other two " hungers " I believe are

for carbs and for protein. That's why I try to eat at least 50-60 g

of carbs during the OFF day - this largely prevents ketosis, and

lately, I've found that taking in 30 g/day of protein powder (either

whey or egg) in 2 divided doses, mixed with a spoonful or two of

yogurt, does wonders for eliminating residual hunger. I also believe

there is a specific hunger for fats, BTW - and a taste receptor for

fats has been identified in the tongue. But these have too many

calories to be included in the OFF day.

So it's just that others have sort of emphasized the ketosis-carbs

angle. I'm trying to approach the problem from a more balanced

perspective.