Hunter Gatherers and salt

#1

Hunter Gatherers did not always have access to really carby/starchy things. They also didn’t have access to store bought salt. Why is it we are said to need so much sodium on keto if hunter gatherers didn’t have it, unless perhaps they lived by the sea ?

#2

They had tons of it, because organs and blood are loaded with massive amount of salt. That said, we don’t typically need a lot of salt, people go way overboard with it. Even during serious physical activity and tons of sweat, 1 gram of salt is a lot!

(Omar) #3

Not only hunters gatherers consume salt, but most of the mammals consume salts and try to find salt rich soils and lick it.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

Because they followed the animals to find the salt licks. Also, there is a lot of salt in an animal carcase, especially in the blood.

Recent research suggests that the ideal sodium intake is between 4 and 6 g/day. This translates to 10-15 g of sodium chloride, inclusive of salt already present in food. Many long-term carnivores find that they get enough salt in their meat, without needing to add any, but of course they are eating around 2 lbs. (just under 1 kg) a day.

(Allie) #5

Because it’s naturally in the blood and organs of the hunter gatherer prey.

(Edith) #6

I need a lot of salt on keto/carnivore. I’ve tried many times to lower my salt intake, and I always end up regretting it.

#7

They had access to all the salt they required thru their animal proteins.

when one drops carbs from their menu, our water in our body is not ‘held’ the same as in a carby eaters body. like when one ‘diets’ and cuts carbs/extra sugar intake they lose water weight fast…so when one is ‘off bigger carb intake’ there is less to hold water in your body and you might notice we off carbs drink good water intake which can then monkey with our electrolyte/sodium levels sometimes so it is advised to be ‘sure you are’ getting sodium in your body daily to combat any issues with water flushing out your sodium as you transition into these types of very low carb lifestyles. Many might up salt and decrease salt and will eliminate salt at some point in their journey. Everyone is a tad different on what works for them tho. Sodium levels as we change our eating and maybe increase exercise and more can kinda monkey with alot of people, including if they are on prescrip meds or other health issues etc. so sodium etc becomes a person journey for everyone kinda.

#8

I don’t need much salt on keto/carnivore but I still need a significant amount, about 5g salt. Both significantly less and significantly more causes problems (well IDK if less do, I just start to desire salt and up my intake immediately :D. much more salt, like 10g is horrible to me though… well my accidental experiment was a bit special so maybe even that isn’t true in every circumstances, surely not…).

And we know some carnivores eat very little salt, only what they get from their (usually muscle) meat.

So I guess it’s the same with hunter gatherers as they are people like us: some need little salt, some more, some pretty much. Animals find salt so people can too… And yep, maybe focusing on different animal parts help? IDK the sodium content in various parts but blood surely contains a lot… Though blood is toxic in bigger amounts, whatever that means…

(Robin) #9

Same here.

#10

In addition to the above…Salt is not just found near the sea. Salt deposits can be found pretty much anywhere - and were. Fun fact- We get the word “salary” from the fact that salt was so valuable as to be used as a form of payment (Roman soldiers Are one example that comes to mind).

#11

I get 1000mg salt through my seafood. 1000mg = 1g salt right?
I do find myself craving salt but I’m not sure if it is a keto thing or a mental thing. I tend to feel anxiety from eating and will just keep going to the salt shaker for whatever reason.

(Edith) #12

I find that when I need more salt, I will think anything that tastes salty tastes extra delicious. When I’ve had enough salt, I don’t find it nearly as appealing. So, if you keep going to the salt shaker, your body may be telling you it wants more sodium.

5 grams of sodium is about 2 teaspoons of salt. And remember salt is sodium chloride, so 1000 mg of salt does not equal 1000 mg of sodium. You get approximately 1000 mg of sodium in about 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #13

If you are craving salt, then you need it. If you find yourself getting too much salt, you will suddenly find that it tastes terrible.

#14

I have that too, craving saltier food when I am before my comfortable range for sodium and getting salt aversion when I eat way too much (but it only happens when I am forced to eat too much salt as I don’t get that much if I have proper food).
It’s nice to know my body knows what it needs and guides me in an obvious way :slight_smile:
I only can handle eating a little salt alone (not like I normally do it… and I drink water soon) when I eat just enough or less salt. Above I feel it’s “burning” me in a way only salt can do.