Salt is NOT the Enemy

In today's world, myself and many other 'health minded individuals' are constantly reading nutrition labels and monitoring caloric, protein, fat or carbohydrate intake.  Americans have recently begun to pay more attention to sodium intake after a link between intake and high blood pressure was discovered.  But, I never consider limiting salt in my daily lifestyle.  

Sodium is required for normal body functions and lost in both urine and sweat.  As the hot, humid weather approaches the east coast, even more sweat is lost which can disturb normal sodium and water balance.  I (and many others) tend to hydrate much more during the summer, particularly during training.  In July you can never find me running more than 6 miles without my water belt (as dorky as it may look...it's worth it!).  The increased sweat (salt and water) combined with increased hydration (water only) makes the replenishment with salt vital.  Without the additional salt intake, hyponatremia can occur in the body (a low concentration of sodium in the blood).  

For those of you training for centuries or fall marathons, please remember...

Salt is not the enemy!

If you finish a training session and are disoriented, nauseous, or confused...eat some salty foods or replenish with a sports drink.  I keep electrolyte tablets in the pocket of biking jersey; I find it's the easiest way to keep my salt-water balance stable.