SODIUM-RESTRICTED DIETS FOR PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASES: NOMENCLATURE

SODIUM-RESTRICTED DIETS FOR PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASES: NOMENCLATURE
Normally the daily sodium intake is 3 to 7 gm (3000 to 7000 mg). A sodium-restricted diet is limited to a specified amount of sodium, and ranges from a mild to severe restriction. Terms such as “salt free,” “salt poor,” and “low salt” are so indefinite that the patient might well receive a diet with much more sodium than he should have or, perhaps, one with less than he could have. The levels of sodium restriction described in booklets published by the American Heart Association are:
250 mg sodium (11 mEq), Very Low-Sodium Diet. Used primarily for hospital patients.
500 mg sodium (22 mEq), Strict Low-Sodium Diet. Used primarily for hospital patients.
1000 mg sodium (43 mEq), Moderate Sodium-Restricted Diet. Sometimes used as a maintenance diet for patients at home.
Mild Sodium Restriction. Sodium content of this diet varies from about 2400 to 4500 mg. This is essentially a normal diet but omits salty foods. This is frequently prescribed as a maintenance diet for patients at home.
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GENERAL HEALTH

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