Sodium

Sodium acts in consort with potassium to help maintain proper body water distribution and blood pressure. Sodium also is important in the transmission of nerve impulses. Excess dietary sodium is excreted in the urine; when sodium intakes are low or losses are excessive, the mineral is very efficiently reabsorbed by the kidney.

Deficiencies: Persons who experience pronounced losses of sodium through diarrhea, heavy perspiration or inability of the kidney to reabsorb it may experience decreased blood volume and a fall in blood pressure that could result in shock.

Dietary recommendations: Recommendations for the maximum amount of sodium that can be incorporated into a healthy diet range from 2,400 to 3,000 mg/day. Individuals with hypertension should see their physician to determine if a sodium-restricted diet would be appropriate.

Food sources: Sodium added to processed foods accounts for the majority of sodium (75%) in the U.S. diet. The remainder comes from discretionary salt (15%) and from sodium that occurs naturally in foods (10%).

2000-Calorie Diet Recommendations

Shown below are the reference numbers used to compute the Daily Value percentages that appear on the Nutrition Facts labels on foods sold in the U.S. These numbers are meant to approximate the nutrients needed for the average person consuming 2000 calories per day.

Click any of the vitamin or nutrient names below to learn more about the importance of each element, and to see detailed dietary allowances for specific population groups.

***Daily Value recommendations are based on a 2000-calorie diet. Recommendations for individuals will vary depending on gender, age, weight, and other factors.