"This study demonstrated that higher levels of sodium are associated with increased production of oxytocin (which leads to increased trust, rapport, caring, and connection) and decreased levels of pro-stress hormone angiotensin II. So higher levels of sodium actually decrease the painful feelings of social anxiety"
"Further research, Krause says, will examine these hormones and neurocircuits to investigate their role in social anxiety disorders and autism, a neurological disorder whose characteristics include social impairment.
"Oxytocin deficiency has been implicated in autism in previous studies," says Krause. "We'd like to investigate the possibility that dysregulation in fluid balance during pregnancy could result in autistic disorders."
Hydration state controls stress responsiveness and social behavior
Drinking alot of water while eating low amounts of salt and sugars/carbs can potentially increase the production of stress hormones and induce hyponatremia (low electrolytes and/or over hydration).... and this can lead to a host of problems.
So, this study has pretty much confirmed what I have personally experienced this past several months...... that eating a little more salt, drinking less water and eating more sugar/carbs than I used to makes me feel better.
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Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Over the years three different doctors (one was my LLMD, one was my gyno 22 years ago, and another one in between the two) have to me to eat more salt. Twenty two years ago, my gyno actually said to salt everything I eat.
I said, "Everything?" And he said, "Well, you don't have to salt chocolate cake."
I've never eated a lot of processed foods so am always on the low side of normal in sodium, even when eating a lot of salt. Salt is a macro-nutrient. We all need it. Many get too much because of all the processed food they eat, but when we eat healthy, we need to be sure to get enough.
Thanks for the articles. It's consistent with my experience, too.
Posted by jklynd (Member # 7550) on :
I,for one, have lost faith in both the medical profession, and mainstream journalism, only because things that have been taken as common knowledge for generations have been debunked as "useless". A few years ago, while mowing the grass,on a day like today (Here in Northern NJ, it's hot),it was obvious that I was sweating out salt that was appearing on my "A" shirt as it dried. I supplemented with "salt tablets"(and extra H2O) that summer. I have not needed them since.. Has my metabolism changed? Perhaps- but sometimes our bodies, and personal reactions are the best indicator that something is amiss...
Joe
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
I have hyponatremia, take 6000 mg salt, lasix and florinef and my OCD, anxiety levels are crazy. Where did I go wrong?
Posted by emla999/Lyme (Member # 12606) on :
Lyme in Putnam,
If you have hyponatremia then your sodium blood level is probably low. And therfore since you are experiencing anxiety, this sort of goes along with the findings of that study. Low blood sodium can cause an increase in anxiety/stress.
If you or your doctor(s) could figure out some way to correct your hyponatremia and help your body hold onto salt/sodium then your anxiety may improve.
I believe that you have said that you have SIADH so you probably lose salt easily through your urine and your body will probably also tend to hold onto water easily and the more water in your body the more dilute the electrolytes such as sodium will be in your blood...... hence the hyponatremia.
Are you currently seeing a doctor that specializes in treating SIADH?
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Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Conversely - if they give people a bunch of salty snacks - it may make them feel less anxious about economic turmoil.... (kind of jokingly that I'm thinking this...)
I'm always thinking that the body seeks balance. I don't think sodium requirements are the same in everyone. I think these minerals need balance with other minerals like potassium, calcium, trace minerals, etc.
It's probably better to use a more natural salt like Real Salt or sea salt. I think there are differences between common table salt & salts that retain the minerals & trace minerals.
I never liked the sort of blanket statements like "eggs are bad," "butter is bad," or "salt is bad" for everyone. We each have different considerations. If you live in a hot climate - you need to replace salt & electrolites.
Salt is also essential to food preservation - which is why it was once valued as currency.
Posted by emla999/Lyme (Member # 12606) on :
In regards to ingesting sea salt versus common table salt, some people claim that regular table salt is much better for the average person's health than sea salt. Actually, Dr. Carey Reams and Dr. Beddoe claim that ingesting sea salt can potentially be harmful to your health.
Though, I haven't been able to find any research outside of Carey Reams and RBTI indicating that sea salt is worse for you than regular table salt. So, I am taking Dr. Reams claims about sea salt with a "grain of salt".
But as for me personaly, I really haven't seemed to notice a whole lot of difference in the way I feel whether I ingest sea salt or regular salt. Though in all honesty I usually seem to feel a little better when I just use common table salt. It could just be a coincidence though. But I have noticed that when I ingest sea salt my urinary refractometer and urinary conductivity readings and a few other urinary readings will usually increase more so than when I ingest the same amount of common table salt.
It could just be a coincidence though.
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Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Everyone has an opinion, no? LOL
I could taste a difference between regular salt & Real Salt. Definitely liked the Real Salt better! I could see that Sea Salt may be a problem if it comes from the Pacific & it's exposed to radiation from Fukishima.
Posted by emla999/Lyme (Member # 12606) on :
Yes, I agree, everyone does seem to have an opinion. But unfortunately, opinions aren't always correct ...... at least my opinions haven't always turned out to be correct. This past year I have had to basically do a "180" on some of my long standing opinions.
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Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Yeah, I know. Sometimes what we think is "real" turns out to be incorrect.