Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex medical condition that can significantly affect daily life. Many individuals diagnosed with POTS often wonder about dietary approaches, and a common question revolves around salt cravings. Understanding the relationship between salt, the body’s systems, and POTS can shed light on why these cravings might occur.
Understanding POTS
POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature. In individuals with POTS, this system does not regulate blood circulation as it should, particularly when transitioning from a lying or sitting position to standing. This leads to a rapid heart rate increase upon standing, often accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
When a person with POTS stands up, blood can pool in the lower body, leading to less blood returning to the heart and brain. The body attempts to compensate for this reduced blood flow, resulting in a rapid heart rate increase. These symptoms often improve when the individual lies down again.
Why Salt Cravings Occur in POTS
Many individuals with POTS experience hypovolemia, which means they have abnormally low blood volume. When blood volume is low, the body triggers compensatory mechanisms to maintain balance. Sodium plays a significant role in retaining fluid.
The body tries to increase its blood volume by signaling a need for more sodium. This can manifest as intense salt cravings. The kidneys are involved in regulating fluid and sodium levels, and in POTS, hormonal issues can occur. This physiological drive to consume salt is the body’s attempt to draw more water into the bloodstream, thereby increasing blood volume and stabilizing blood pressure.
Salt’s Role in Managing POTS
Increasing dietary sodium is a common strategy to help manage POTS symptoms. By consuming more salt, the body retains more water, which expands blood volume. This expanded blood volume can help stabilize blood pressure and reduce symptoms like dizziness and rapid heart rate.
Research indicates that higher salt intake can increase blood volume and help lower norepinephrine levels when standing. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone often elevated in people with POTS, contributing to symptoms. Medical professionals frequently recommend increased salt intake as a non-pharmacological approach to alleviate symptoms by addressing low blood volume.
Practical Guidelines for Salt Intake
For individuals with POTS, recommended daily sodium intake can range from 3,000 milligrams (mg) to as much as 10,000 mg, significantly higher than general population guidelines. It is important to accompany increased salt intake with adequate hydration, typically 2 to 3 liters of fluids per day. This ensures the body has enough fluid to be retained by the extra sodium.
Salt can be incorporated into the diet through:
- Salty snacks (e.g., pickles, olives).
- Adding extra salt to meals.
- Electrolyte drinks.
- Salt capsules.
Electrolyte solutions are effective for quickly delivering both salt and water to the body. Consulting a healthcare professional is important before making significant dietary changes to determine the appropriate salt intake and to monitor for any potential side effects.