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M.Dawn Legan wrote:

> I'm wondering if some you have had fluctuating blood pressure due
> to the PD or its meds. My doctor is speculating that some of my low
> energy problem could be related to low blood pressure, and is
> recommending salt tablets.  I can't find these, but am filling
> capsules with table salt.  Can someone, perhaps our nutritionist
> Katherine, tell me, in terms of fractions of a teaspoon, what the
> recommended intake of salt per day is, and what would be a toxic
> level?

I'm no authority, but here's what I've read.  There's a reason you
can't find salt tablets.  They could be bad for you.  You get more
salt than you need in the average American diet. Minimum intake of
NaCl is .5 grams/day - max is 6 grams.

For what it's worth, on
http://www.ivanhoe.com/sportsmed/tips/tipoftheweek.html it says

The average body only needs two grams a day.  If you run
20 miles in a day you only lose 2-6 grams at the most.

"When salt tablets hit your stomach, a reaction begins that pulls
water from surrounding tissues into your stomach to dilute the
salt concentration, causing possible dehydration and collapse."

"Extra salt increases urination which means a fluid loss that could
lead to heat exhaustion or stroke. That fluid loss also washes out
potassium and low potassium level leads to fatigue."

Phil Tompkins
Hoboken NJ
60/9