Salt Cures Everything

They say that salt cures everything - sweat, tears, and the sea. When you have POTS, that saying takes on a whole new meaning.

In people with POTS, it is often recommended to increase both fluid and salt intake in order to increase blood volume, which is typically low in POTS patients. The first thing that my doctor said to me when I was diagnosed 15 years ago was to increase salt in my diet. I have never been a sweets person but have craved salt my whole life - it all was starting to make sense. My doctor then told me that in order to increase my salt intake, I should eat more pretzels and potato chips, and drink more gatorade. As an 18 year old, that sounded like a dream come true. An excuse to eat all of my favourite snacks!

As someone in their 30s who is health conscious…this is terrible advice. In POTS patients we need to increase salt intake...but that doesn't mean we should increase unhealthy foods. We often hear that salt is bad for you. Salt promotes healthy hydration levels and electrolyte balance, which is necessary for the body to function properly. Our cells, muscles, and tissues need water, and salt helps these parts of the body maintain the right amount of fluid. Salt is a naturally occurring mineral...so we should find more natural ways to consume it.

I have spent the last 10 years searching for products that could up my salt intake without adding dyes and other gross ingredients. I have tried so many different products and only in the last year learned that not only were those products not great for me, but they just didn’t provide nearly enough sodium to make a difference.

It has taken me YEARS but I finally found the greatest salt product of all time. LMNT provides 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium in each packet - and they taste AMAZING! There’s so many great flavours and I look forward to starting my day with this product. I can’t say enough good things about it. I take it everywhere with me and I recommend it to everyone - even people without POTS. Everyone could use some extra hydration.

Click here to check out their products. When you click on this link you will get a free bonus sample pack with any purchase so that you can try all of their yummy flavours! I haven't met a flavour that I didn't like, but my personal favourites are Mango Chili, Citrus, and Raspberry. The chocolate flavours are also fun to mix into coffee, hot chocolate, or smoothies. LMNT has honestly changed my life. I have more energy, I feel calmer, and I can relax knowing that if I get overheated and need quick hydration, LMNT has my back.

Salt is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in regulating fluid balance, maintaining blood pressure, and transmitting nerve impulses. For people with POTS, increasing salt intake can help to increase blood volume and improve symptoms related to low blood pressure. Additionally, sodium helps to promote the reabsorption of fluid in the kidneys, reducing the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Several studies have investigated the use of salt in managing POTS symptoms. One study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that increasing salt intake to 10-12 grams per day (roughly double the recommended daily intake) resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms, including an increase in blood volume and a decrease in heart rate upon standing. Another study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that increasing salt intake to 9 grams per day resulted in an improvement in orthostatic tolerance (the ability to tolerate standing upright) in individuals with POTS.

Despite these promising findings, it is important to note that increasing salt intake may not be appropriate for everyone with POTS. Some individuals may be more sensitive to sodium and may experience negative side effects such as fluid retention or high blood pressure. Additionally, increasing salt intake should always be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for the individual.