Sodium

What is Sodium?

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What Sodium Does for You:

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What Happens When there is a Sodium Deficiency:

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What Happens When Too Much Sodium is Consumed:

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How Much Sodium do You Need?

This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs) recommended by the USDA to maintain a healthy diet.

	Sodium (mg/day)
Infants
0-6 mos	120*
7-12 mos	370*
Children
1-3 yrs	1000*
4-8 yrs	1200*
Males
9-13 yrs	1500*
14-18 yrs	1500*
19-30 yrs	1500*
31-50 yrs	1500*
51-70 yrs	1300*
> 70 yrs	1200*
Females
9-13 yrs	1500*
14-18 yrs	1500*
19-30 yrs	1500*
31-50 yrs	1500*
51-70 yrs	1300*
> 70 yrs	1200*
Pregnancy
14-18 yrs	1500*
19-30 yrs	1500*
31-50 yrs	1500*
Lactation
14-18 yrs	1500*
19-30 yrs	1500*
31-50 yrs	1500*

NOTES:

• * Adequate Intakes
• mg = milligrams
• 1000 milligrams = 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Best Plant Sources of Sodium:

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SOURCES:

• The National Academy Press: www.nap.edu
• Institute of Medicine: www.iom.edu