Is it probably safe to guess that a constant craving for salty foods = sodium deficiency?

Question

Or is there something else it could mean?

Answer 1

CHECK YOUR THYROID.

Answer 2

This may not be the only thing it could be a sign of, but craving salt can be a symptom of adrenal fatigue. That's what happens when a person lives under extreme stress over a long period of time, and the adrenal gland "runs out of juices" (it is no longer able to secrete cortisol, which is the thing that helps a person deal with stressful situation). Look up "adrenal fatigue" or "symptoms of adrenal fatigue" if you've been under severe or long-term stress.

Craving salt can also be associated with PMS - although its not constant. My point here is that it could be something simple and harmless. I've often wondered if the PMS salt-craving is Nature's way of making women increase salt intake in order to "balance off" water retention and maybe facilitate some kind of electrical activity.

There is some distinction in personality types that craves sugar versus those that crave salt, so craving salt isn't a simple symptom. It could be any number of things.

Answer 3

Sounds like you like salty foods, and you're not alone in this, this is a big problem with many people. I don't think it's a "craving" I think you just like salty foods, be careful with this as it can cause all kinds of problems.Your body gets enough salt from the foods you eat, as it's in everything, it's used as a preservative.
I hope you're drinking alot of water, because the salt just soaks it all up and you'll retain water. If you want to find out more about it, go to your search engine and type in "salt how much do I need" and it will give you all the information that you need and more.

Answer 4

According to Doctor David Bernstein of Northshore University Hospital in New York, the most common cause of salt craving is dehydration. "It is important to limit one’s over all salt intake to prevent fluid overload and heart disease. However, salt craving is usually a sign of the body needing fluids. Salt helps the body hold on to water. The best way to avoid salt craving is to drink plenty of fluids." If we wait until we feel thirst to drink water, we are already dehydrated. The general rule is to consume eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day.

Other experts suggest that salt craving is indeed a sign of deficiency, but not of a sodium deficiency. Instead, they believe craving salt is a sign of a trace-mineral deficiency best treated with natural sea salt or trace-mineral supplementation. Table salt, even iodine-fortified, will not satisfy this deficiency. For further information, consult the Analytical Research Labs of Phoenix, Arizona: http://www.arltma.com/CravingSaltNews.htm

Answer 5

I've got that craving sometimes too and then drink a cup of bouillon which really helps it. It often happens after I lost a lot of water, either by drinking caffeine or too much alcohol. That water loss, the dehydration usually takes salts with it too. and therefore I would suspect that the answer to your question is yes.

Another factor however is also how you grew up, if your family had lots of salt in their food then it may also be a habit, your taste buds are used to that level of salt.

So you know best whether you have mineral loss due to losing water by peeing a lot or sweating a lot or whether the reasons are different.

Answer 6

A lot of foods these days are loaded with chemicals that will make you hungry, and make you crave more of a product. Something loaded with sodium will make you crave more. That could be your problem.

Answer 7

Could be unbalance chemistry inside.

Salt also helps absorb vitamins, so your boy might be craving salt for that too, or maybe your sugar level is high. Nothing wrong with craving salt, as long as you feel good, and can do your normal stuff.

Answer 8

Oh I cant go past chocolate balls with a hint of salt and a sticky gun on the side

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Answer 9

yeah, sodium or electrolytes.......see if drinking gatorade or powerade too helps reduce the cravings. I would talk to your doctor too.

Answer 10

Might mean that you need some "real" food.
see link....

Answer 11

could be tyroid, could be iron, could be pms, hard to tell