The Risks of Fasting with Abnormal Sodium Levels

Altered sodium balance may occur naturally as people age and can also accompany other disease processes such as hypertension (high blood pressure). Your sodium is one part of your blood electrolytes (salts) that are part of muscle function, especially heart muscle function, and effect the heart's contraction, rate and rhythm. Interestingly, while the range for blood glucose may be generous or any other blood chemial, sodium levels and all electrolytes are maintained in a tight range by the body. There isn't much room for play.

Fasting may increase the likelihood that individuals with either hyponatremia (low blood serum sodium) or hypernatremia (high blood serum sodium) experience more frequent and/or worsening symptoms. Such events can be fatal because the range is so tight. Fasting also alters the way many medications used to treat these conditions are absorbed. Unless strictly supervised these issues make fasting an extremely risky practice.

(Click here) for a list of conditions commonly associated with Hyponatremia.

(Click here) for a list of conditions commonly associated with Hypernatremia.