How Do You Correct Sodium Levels for Hyperglycemia?

Sodium levels and hyperglycemia do affect each other. High sodium levels can influence blood pressure, and high blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia.

Sodium helps your body balance fluids and helps keep your muscle working correctly. You need the right level of sodium in your body to feel your best.

But when sodium levels are too high, it can have many health effects that include impacts on your heart and kidneys. Higher sodium levels can also lead to type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar.

This article will explain how higher sodium levels lead to hypertension and other health conditions, including hyperglycemia. We’ll also help you understand ways to help lower your sodium and reduce these other health risks.

Blood sugar and sodium levels don’t have a direct relationship, but there is a connection.

The sodium levels in your body going up or down won’t cause your blood sugar levels to rise or fall.

Just under half – 49% – of Americans get their health insurance through their employer, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Another 19% of Americans are insured under Medicaid, 14% under Medicare, seven% under non-group plans and two% under other public insurers, while nine% of U.S. citizens remain uninsured.

But one of the biggest links between blood sugar and sodium is hypertension.

Sodium intake is directly linked to high blood pressure (hypertension) because high sodium levels can affect your blood pressure. Hypertension is a known risk for type 2 diabetes, which can be a reason for hyperglycemia. This is usually defined as blood sugars higher than 126 mg/dL when fasting or above 180 mg/dL after meals.

Research also shows that people hospitalized with hyperglycemia have better recovery and survival odds if part of their treatment focuses on balancing their sodium levels and stabilizing their blood sugar. This was found to be especially true for people who had very low sodium levels along with hyperglycemia.

Correcting sodium levels can help doctors improve outcomes and get a better sense of a person’s overall prognosis.

There’s no official formula for calculating the best levels of sodium intake.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people who have diabetes limit their sodium to no more than 2,300 mg per day. This is the same as recommendations from other major health organizations, like the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It’s also much less sodium than the average American consumes on a daily basis.

According to the FDA , Americans consume about 3,400 mg of sodium each day on average.

So, if you have diabetes or are worried about hyperglycemia, cutting back on sodium might be a good step to take for your health. It’s best to talk with your doctor before you make any major dietary changes.

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You can take steps to lower your sodium levels, which can help reduce your risk of hypertension and of type 2 diabetes.

Some of the best ways to lower your sodium levels include:

  • Stick with fresh fruits and vegetables: Canned, frozen, and other packaged fruits and vegetables typically have added sodium.
  • Look for low sodium bread, crackers, and pasta: Often, unseasoned whole-grain products are the best sources of low sodium grains for your diet.
  • Limit or avoid sausage, bacon, and many deli meats: Cured meats like sausages and most deli meats are high in sodium. It’s a good idea to limit them or replace them with low sodium alternatives.
  • Look for unseasoned chicken, fish, and other meat: Pre-seasoned products, like rotisserie chicken, or frozen fish fillets, can be packed with sodium. It’s important to read labels and look for unseasoned meat products when you grocery shop.
  • Look for low sodium cheeses: Many kinds of cheese are high in sodium, but there are low sodium alternatives in many grocery stores. Other dairy products, like yogurt and milk, are naturally low in sodium.
  • Add high-potassium foods to your diet:Foods like sweet potatoes, unsalted nuts, and leafy greens, can help reduce the effect of sodium in your body.
  • Swap out your salt: You can experiment with herbs and spices as alternatives to salt in your cook. You can also look for pre-made, low sodium, seasoning blends.
  • Try to avoid sauces and fried foods at restaurants: Most restaurant sauces and batters are high in salt. It’s a good idea to order baked or grilled entrees instead.
  • Be careful with all frozen and pre-packaged foods: Most frozen or pre-made meals and foods are high in sodium. While this isn’t always the case, it’s important to read labels and check before you buy.

There’s not a direct relationship between sodium levels and hyperglycemia, but there’s a link. High sodium levels can affect blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Taking steps to lower your sodium levels can help you reduce this risk. Managing your diet is one of the best ways to lower your sodium levels.

Sticking with low sodium foods, limiting processed foods, and switching out salt for alternative seasonings can all help you reduce sodium levels and reduce the risk of both hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Last medically reviewed on April 5, 2023

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