Addicted

[Nalia]

Hi all, I know that my "addiction" is not as severe as some, however, it really is an addiction to me. Salt. I cannot do without it. I have tried many times to give it up and I go through terrible withdrawl. I start looking for salty things to eat (chips, pretzels, everything very bad for you ). These cravings make me feel a little on the crazy side!!! I know that this "addiction" is detrimental not only to my long term health, but to my current weight loss progress. I have joked in the past about needing a 12 step program, but seriously... any thoughts? ideas?

I have been a little better about adding salt to things since I started Atkins one month ago, but still... It's always calling my name!

Help me kick the habit!!!in

PS: Just to clarify, I haven't cheated at all in the last month, but I also haven't tried to quit salt cold turkey either!!

[Brook]

Out of curiousity, have you had blood work done? It's true, you might just be a salt addict, but there may be an underlying health issue that would cause you to crave the salt.

[Atkid]

Is there really a problem with craving salty things? As long as you are drinking enough water to counteract it why worry?

[Nalia]

No, I actually have not had blood work done to specifically find a problem related to this "addiction", but I have been told over the years that if my body was craving it so badly, I must need it. I'm not sure I agree with that. This "addiction" started when I was very young.

I notice that after high salt days, my hands are swollen and tingle. My body is not processing the salt as well as it used to. That is very hard on the kidneys and this will only worsen as I age. This is typical for everyone, I just have excess salt in my diet now so I notice it now. I am already drinking a lot of water, and it really doesn't have too much to do with balancing out the salt intake- that is *somewhat* of a myth. Like I said before, it is how the kidneys process the salt, and mine can't keep up at 30yo. It's kind of scary to think of how my body will handle it in 10 or 15 years.

[Jerzaka]

I agree. Get blood work. Perhaps from an endocrinologist? I'm all for seeing a specialist these days - as I don't think the family doctor's are what they used to be.

[Brook]

Yes. An endocrinologist.

Sodium imbalances can cause problems. If your body is not processing the salt properly it really does have potential to cause issues. If you are low on serum sodium (blood), your body will compensate by craving it.

Water has everything to do with balancing out the sodium in your system. If you're producing too much of several different hormones or not enough, it will cause electrolyte imbalances. i.e. - drinking more water doesn't flush it. It should.

It's not altogether uncommon and it's definitely worth checking out. I don't pretend to know much about anything, but hormones, sodium and how it affects the body is something I know a *lot* about.

My youngest has primary syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (P-SIADH). Basically, her body produces too much antidiuretic hormone and her body retains the water. The problem is that by retaining all the water her serum sodium levels drop. We have to restrict her fluid intake and let her follow her cravings to get her system back in check (usually things like pretzels or heavily salted tomato juice).

I'm not saying this is the issue you have. Sammy-Jammy's condition is pretty rare, however, there is still a potential for an underlying cause in your cravings and it can't hurt to check it out.

~Brook

[Nalia]

Thank you! I will look into it!