Sodium: Yeah or Nay?
Fringe Electrolyte & Mineral Mix contains 190mg of sodium. Of all our supplement ingredients, sodium is the one we get customer queries about most often. These questions generally fall into two camps. In the first, people ask us “is it safe for me to consume that much sodium in an electrolyte supplement 1-2 times per day?” And in the second, people ask us “why isn’t your sodium content higher, like it is in some of the other electrolyte supplements on the market?”
Our answer is pretty simple.
We formulated the sodium content of our electrolytes with Goldilocks in mind: not too much, and not too little – but just right. Our level of sodium is safe for (almost) all kids and adults when taken as recommended. However, it’s absolutely true that as far as minerals go, sodium is the one whose optimal level of intake is most hotly contested in scientific circles. In this article, we’re going to give you a bit of insight into the sodium controversy, and how we came to determine the level that is “just right” for our customers.
Camp #1:
“Whoa! Shouldn’t I LIMIT my intake of sodium?”
Here are some of the points that support this argument:
Supportive points:
- Several chronic diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and osteoporosis have been associated with high sodium intake. And while association does not necessarily equal causation, there is also some causal evidence that shows that high intakes of sodium can be harmful to health for some people.
- People who experience poor health in response to sodium are called “salt sensitive”. These people experience an increase in blood pressure with higher sodium intake.
Several medical organizations (such as the World Health Organization) recommended a low intake of sodium, in the range of 1500-2300mg/day.
Camp #2:
“Whoa! Shouldn’t I be consuming MORE sodium?”
Here are some of the points that support this argument:
Supportive points:
- The majority of people are not “salt sensitive”.
- Contrary to popular belief, some research suggests that consuming low sodium (less than 2500mg per day) may be associated with higher, rather than lower, blood pressure.
- In contrast to the recommendations that US adults should consume 1500-2300mg/day of sodium, research has shown intakes of sodium in this low range can be harmful to health, including increasing the risk of cardiac death, insulin resistance, and adversely affecting blood lipids.
- The average global intake of sodium per day is 3000-5000mg per day and has been remarkably stable across cultures for many decades, which suggests that this range of intake can be considered as “normal” (even though it is much higher than the medical recommendations).
- In studies showing harm, sodium intake may be a “red herring” for other more important dietary habits, such as consuming too
Camp #3:
Fringe Electrolyte & Mineral sodium content is JUST RIGHT!
Here’s why our sodium content is “just right”:
Supportive points:
- The PURE study found that sodium intake between 3,000–5,000 mg/day was associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk.
- Some people, like folks consuming a whole food, paleo or keto diet, usually consume below 2500mg sodium/day, so they can use some additional sodium in their diet.
- Additional sodium is also needed in many other conditions, like sweating, illness, and hot weather.
- However, supplements that contain 500-1000mg sodium per serving can quickly bump up daily sodium intake. Think of it like climbing three stairs at a time, rather than one.
- At just under 200mg sodium per serving, Fringe Electrolyte & Mineral Mix gives you more control over how much sodium you want to consume. Instead of lunging up those stairs, you can do a steady climb, simply by increasing the number of servings per day!
- All other ingredients in Fringe Electrolyte & Mineral Mix (including chloride, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and trace minerals) are also safe to consume in higher amounts.
- And if you’ve never seen our scoops – they’re small! Our “small scoop mission” focuses on using simple formulations with minimal ingredients (especially unnecessary fillers). So, it’s really easy to increase the number of servings used per day, based on your personal needs – without worrying that you’re consuming stuff you don’t want more of.
Is there anyone who needs to be concerned about their daily sodium intake?
Yes! As mentioned, some people are salt sensitive, and their blood pressure increases with increased sodium consumption. Among salt sensitive people, some responses are minimal while others are quite dramatic. If you have hypertension, and especially if you know you are salt sensitive, you do want to be careful not to consume too much sodium. However, if you’re consuming a whole foods, paleo or keto diet, sodium containing supplements may still be needed to get you into a healthy range. Talk to your doctor about your individual needs.
Other populations that should limit their sodium intake include people with chronic kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, pregnant women with preeclampsia, and people at risk of stroke. If you have these or any other serious health condition, please consult with your doctor before taking sodium containing dietary supplements.
The Verdict?
There is clearly controversy about how much sodium people should consume each day. Yet evidence is accumulating that intake less than 2300mg per day (as per official recommendations) may not be optimal for many people. This is suggested by the finding that only 9% of the population currently adheres to this guideline. However, excessive consumption of sodium is not recommended either, with research showing a U-shaped curve in which both very low, and very high, intakes of sodium are harmful, while the middle range of 3000 to 5000mg (or even higher) is ideal.
With this target in mind, people can be mindful of their dietary patterns and include supplemental sodium, usually in the form of fluid electrolytes, as needed. Supplements that provide sodium at levels of 1000mg per serving may be ideal for certain populations (like people eating keto or paleo diets, or those losing a lot of salt through sweating), but for average men, women and children, smaller doses of sodium may be more appropriate.
So, what’s the verdict? At 190mg sodium per serving, Fringe Electrolyte & Mineral Mix provides just the right amount of sodium for most people to consume one to two servings per day – and this can easily be increased for people with higher needs. An amazing tool for hydration, our mineral mix helps with fluid balance, and supports heart, muscle, nerve and blood vessel functions.
about the author
Dr. Genevieve Newton, DC, PhD spent close to 20 years as a researcher and educator in the field of nutritional sciences before joining Fringe as its Scientific Director. Gen’s job is to “bring the science” that supports Fringe’s products and education. She is passionate about all things Fringe, and is a deep believer in healing body, mind and spirit using the gifts of the natural world.
The contents in this blog; such as text, content, graphics are intended for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider.
