Effects of salt intake on dialysis patients

[jo]

I know that salt intake makes you thirsty. But, as long as we add salt and limit the fluid intake to 1-1.5L/day, would it still be ok for dialysis patients? Or does salt intake cause cramps, problems with BP, etc., and prevent you from taking off fluid during dialysis? I would like to know the effects salt has on dialysis patients. Thank you.

[PrimeTimer]

I know that if my husband adds salt to his food or has too much sodium AND drinks too much fluid, it causes his blood pressure to go up too high. I got him different flavors of salt-free seasonings to use and he likes it. He is also more careful now about his fluid intake so that his BP is fairly normal during treatment. We weigh him before treatment and if his weight has gone up, sure enough, so has his blood pressure. Anyways, too much salt can make you retain too much fluid, which in turn makes the heart have to work harder, increasing the blood pressure. Less salt, less fluid buildup.

[bliss85]

More salt = more thirst = more fluid no matter what....even if you try i suppose it possible but why torture yourself...cutting down salt is really easy....i suggest just cutting down salt...start slow as in never add salt....then never add it when cooking and so fourth. Also as mentioned it can affect blood pressure and other things too.

[jo]

I know that if my husband adds salt to his food or has too much sodium AND drinks too much fluid, it causes his blood pressure to go up too high. I got him different flavors of salt-free seasonings to use and he likes it. He is also more careful now about his fluid intake so that his BP is fairly normal during treatment. We weigh him before treatment and if his weight has gone up, sure enough, so has his blood pressure. Anyways, too much salt can make you retain too much fluid, which in turn makes the heart have to work harder, increasing the blood pressure. Less salt, less fluid buildup.

Thanks. What salt free seasonings did you get him?

[kristina]

Hello Jo,
Salt and garlic are used in most foods as one of the preservatives and/or to gloss over the bad quality of “ready-made” food
offered in shops and Restaurants etc. Being in ESRF and not being able to use any salt in our food,
practically “forces” us to cook and bake our own food every day of the year. That often includes a change in our diet as well.
Because of all the challenges our body already goes through in ESRF (i.e. dialysis, “heavy” medications etc),
we can assist our body as much as possible by cooking and eating a healthy salt-free kidney-friendly diet
to keep “everything” as calm and collected as we possibly can.
At first all this comes over as another irritating challenge, but after a short while our bloodtests show signs that it works
and that makes it worthwhile...
Good luck from Kristina.

[Sugarlump]

Actually too little salt can cause cramp either on or after dialysis.
As long as you don't have huge amounts of salt it isn't a bad thing in moderation.
There are some foods that would be unthinkable without salt, like boiled eggs, chips, rice....

[jo]

Thanks everybody.

[PrimeTimer]

I know that if my husband adds salt to his food or has too much sodium AND drinks too much fluid, it causes his blood pressure to go up too high. I got him different flavors of salt-free seasonings to use and he likes it. He is also more careful now about his fluid intake so that his BP is fairly normal during treatment. We weigh him before treatment and if his weight has gone up, sure enough, so has his blood pressure. Anyways, too much salt can make you retain too much fluid, which in turn makes the heart have to work harder, increasing the blood pressure. Less salt, less fluid buildup.

Thanks. What salt free seasonings did you get him?

The brand "McCormick" offers several salt-free seasonings. My husband likes their Perfect Pinch Original All-Purpose seasoning, Southwest Sweet 'n Smoky, Garlic & Herb and of course, black pepper.

[kristina]

Actually too little salt can cause cramp either on or after dialysis.
As long as you don't have huge amounts of salt it isn't a bad thing in moderation.
There are some foods that would be unthinkable without salt, like boiled eggs, chips, rice....

Hello Sugar,
I agree with you and I also thought that having no salt in my vegetarian diet could cause terrible side-effects
and I asked the doctor who informed me that the vegetables I eat every day have already natural salts included
and that is why my blood-tests are alright and have not shown anything wrong with my salt-free diet.
I was quite surprised that the vegetables we eat have already natural salts included,
which provides us naturally with all the necessary salt-intake needed.

Hello PrimeTimer, thanks for the information,
I shall look out for McCormick-products, it might help me save time in cooking and baking... 

[Sugarlump]

Hello Kristina
I think it's all a matter of taste and how much sodium they add back in dialysis (which removes sodium from our blood during the process.
My profile runs 145 at start to 138 at finish. If I don't have that initial increase my bp crashes and I feel awful...

I would be interested in a UK no salt seasoning alternative IF it hasn't any potassium in it... (like lo-salt which is lethal)
If you do find the McCornick products anywhere let me know!

[kristina]

Hello Sugar,
Thank you for the helpful information and I shall ask for my profile-details.
... Next time I come by my local health-food-centre I shall have a look for low potassium salt-free products and let you know...
.... There is also an All-American-Food-Store in South Kensington and next time I pass by there I shall enquire about MCCornick products
and if by any chance they sell them I shall send you their address...
Best wishes from Kristina.

[pianoflute2]

If you're looking for salt free seasonings Mrs Dash http://www.mrsdash.com/ is what we use, and Daniel loves it!

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Hi,

Just a few questions about both the Mrs. Dash and the McCormick seasonings.

PrimeTimer, I've been tempted to try the salt free "Fiesta Citrus" seasoning.  Have you or your husband tried it?  If so, thoughts? 

As for the Mrs.  Dash, my stash was all used up!  My parents say that they can't find either the Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime or the Caribbean Citrus in shops.  I'm going manic without them.     According to the site, neither of them are discontinued.  So, the option is to buy online and for those outside America, the 'Dash site suggests MyUs for shipping.  I may have a doctorate but I don't get the shipping system.  ANYWAY, to make a long story short, does anyone else buy their Mrs.  Dash online?  Sources?  If so, PM with the info.

Help this little ol' cabbage out!

Thanks.

[PrimeTimer]

Hi,

Just a few questions about both the Mrs. Dash and the McCormick seasonings.

PrimeTimer, I've been tempted to try the salt free "Fiesta Citrus" seasoning.  Have you or your husband tried it?  If so, thoughts? 

As for the Mrs.  Dash, my stash was all used up!  My parents say that they can't find either the Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime or the Caribbean Citrus in shops.  I'm going manic without them.     According to the site, neither of them are discontinued.  So, the option is to buy online and for those outside America, the 'Dash site suggests MyUs for shipping.  I may have a doctorate but I don't get the shipping system.  ANYWAY, to make a long story short, does anyone else buy their Mrs.  Dash online?  Sources?  If so, PM with the info.

Help this little ol' cabbage out!

Thanks.

We haven't tried McCormick's "Fiesta Citrus" but I looked it up and Mmm! Sounds D-Lish!! Hope they have it at our store. Anyways, I try to add/sprinkle all kinds of different spices to our food (celery seed, dill seed, ground majoram, cumin, chili powder) so that we aren't tempted to add salt (altho I agree with Sugarlump, our bodies do require SOME salt). Everything in moderation! And your parting note just made me hungry for some cabbage!

[jo]

But doesn't dash products contain potassium?

[jo]

Hello Kristina
I think it's all a matter of taste and how much sodium they add back in dialysis (which removes sodium from our blood during the process.
My profile runs 145 at start to 138 at finish. If I don't have that initial increase my bp crashes and I feel awful...

I would be interested in a UK no salt seasoning alternative IF it hasn't any potassium in it... (like lo-salt which is lethal)
If you do find the McCornick products anywhere let me know!

What is this profiling? Can you elaborate a little bit on that? Is that the technique they use to remove sodium?

[jo]

Hi,

Just a few questions about both the Mrs. Dash and the McCormick seasonings.

PrimeTimer, I've been tempted to try the salt free "Fiesta Citrus" seasoning.  Have you or your husband tried it?  If so, thoughts? 

As for the Mrs.  Dash, my stash was all used up!  My parents say that they can't find either the Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime or the Caribbean Citrus in shops.  I'm going manic without them.     According to the site, neither of them are discontinued.  So, the option is to buy online and for those outside America, the 'Dash site suggests MyUs for shipping.  I may have a doctorate but I don't get the shipping system.  ANYWAY, to make a long story short, does anyone else buy their Mrs.  Dash online?  Sources?  If so, PM with the info.

Help this little ol' cabbage out!

Thanks.

So the Mrs Dash seasonings you like doesn't contain potassium?

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Hi jo,

According to the nutritional information, the Caribbean Citrus as well as Fiesta Lime contain 5 mg of potassium.  So, very little.  It was lightly sprinkled on my bland food that needed a bit of zip and it wasn't used everyday.  I mostly use fresh herbs and spices but I admit there are days I am lazy.

I strictly watch my potassium and I haven't had any issues yet.  My levels stayed steady around 4.0 when I used the seasonings.

Hope that answers your question.

[cassandra]

What is this profiling? Can you elaborate a little bit on that? Is that the technique they use to remove sodium?

Profiling is the settings on the hemo-machine. There are some set programs, like from high to low or vice versa. The settings can be for sodium, UF, temperature etc

Love, Cas

[jo]

Thank you.