The Safe Way to Lose Weight

Note

I have modified my original belief that the excess fluid is all in the blood vessels. I now believe that most is in the blood vessels, while some may be in the abdominal cavity (ascites), and a small amount in the body tissues.

Low sodium in foods?

If you're unsure about which foods contain a lot of salt/sodium then click on the 'Sodium in Foods' link in the list of links on the left of each page.

The Lucky People

If you are not overweight, do not have high blood pressure, are not 'slimming' and are not in one of the vulnerable groups, then reducing your salt intake would improve your health only slightly and you may prefer not to make great changes to what you eat. - But check on the Associated Health Problems page first. - There may be another problem you have that could be helped by eating less salt.

Overweight Pets

If you have an overweight pet dog or cat it is because they have been eating food containing added salt. This is bad for them. Give them unsalted food instead. They will lose weight, have more energy and live longer.

Terminology

Sodium chloride - the chemical name for common salt.
Sodium - the part of the salt molecule which causes excess water to be held in the body and when eaten in excess can cause obesity and many other health problems.
Oedema - a word used sometimes to mean water retention/fluid retention. It often causes swollen ankles and feet and swollen hands.
Salt Sensitivity - People who are sensitive to salt experience a greater than normal increase in blood pressure in response to increased salt intake.
Lymphoedema - the swelling of an arm, leg or other part of the body because of an abnormal collection of a fluid called lymph in the body tissues.

        Gynaecomastia/Gynecomastia - abnormal enlargement of the breasts in
       a male

        Ascites - an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

PMT - Pre-Menstrual Tension

Hypertension - High Blood Pressure

Hypervolaemia - High Blood Volume

Cushing Features - the characteristic look that obese steroid victims develop - red, swollen face, red swollen neck, protruding stomach/abdomen, thin, delicate skin, swollen, delicate veins, telangiectasias, etc.

Telangiectasia - chronic dilation of groups of capillaries causing very dark red blotches on the skin.

Osteoporosis - a form of bone weakening

Phlebitis - inflammation of the veins

Photosensitivity - Sensitivity to sunshine

Amitriptyline - a tricyclic antidepressant drug

HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy

Oestrogen - one of the female sex hormones

Obesity - above average weight

Bulimia - episodic binge eating sometimes followed by self-induced vomiting.

Syncope - a loss of consciousness over a short period of time, caused by a temporary lack of oxygen in the brain.

Anaemia/Anemia - a pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood.

Polycythaemia/Polycythemia - an increase in the total red cell mass of the blood.

Obesity - Vulnerable Groups

In recent years people have been eating more convenience foods and these are high in salt. Salt can cause obesity and health problems in vulnerable people... read more

People taking steroids or HRT

If you have gained a lot of weight and become obese because of taking prescribed steroids or HRT then I have very good news for you!
read more

Children

When children become fat it is essentially because they are eating salty food. Children are especially vulnerable to salt because of their small size and small blood volume, and because their blood vessels are weaker than those of adults... read more

Pregnant Mothers

During pregnancy a woman's hormone levels alter. The hormone most relevant to undesirable weight gain is oestrogen... read more

People taking amitriptyline

Patients may sometimes find it helps with the problem for which it has been prescribed, but be that as it may, it frequently produces a host of adverse side-effects, including weight gain... read more

PMT Sufferers

...most or possibly all of these symptoms are the result of fluid retention and will be lessened or avoided by reducing salt intake... read more

Wilde
About
Steroids

"Lose weight by eating less salt! - Go on! - Try it!"

Low sodium in foods?

The Lucky People

Overweight Pets

Terminology

Obesity - Vulnerable Groups

People taking steroids or HRT

Children

Pregnant Mothers

People taking amitriptyline

PMT Sufferers

Wilde About Steroids

"Lose weight by eating less salt! - Go on! - Try it!"

Low sodium in foods?

The Lucky People

Overweight Pets

Terminology

Obesity - Vulnerable Groups

People taking steroids or HRT

Children

Pregnant Mothers

People taking amitriptyline

PMT Sufferers

Wilde
About
Steroids