The Sodium-Potassium Ratio is More Important Than a Low Sodium Diet

Having the right sodium-potassium ratio is crucial. Here’s why.

DATA:

0:04 Is sodium actually dangerous?
0:17 Health benefits of potassium
0:31 Sodium potassium ratio
1:05 Sodium potassium ratio and your diet
1:55 A few things that affect sodium levels
2:36 A summary 

In this video, I want to talk about the sodium-potassium ratio we need. 

Typically people think of sodium as dangerous. But, is it the higher amount of sodium, or the deficiency of potassium that has caused problems for people? 

A few potential health benefits of potassium:
• It may be protective against strokes
• It may be protective for the kidneys and heart
• It may help lower blood pressure 

*What’s even more important than these two minerals is the ratio they come in.

Normally you would need 4700 milligrams for potassium, and 2300 milligrams for sodium. An average person has these ratios flipped, which can get them into trouble. 

Ideally, the ratio would be 2:1. But, if there’s already an imbalance, or you have a problem with the heart or blood pressure—I would raise the potassium to 3:1 or even 4:1. 

The more sodium you have in your diet, the lower the potassium you have. There may be more sodium in different foods than you realize. There can also be hidden carbs. Carbohydrates will deplete potassium. 

The sodium used in carbohydrates is not in the form of sea salt, which means you don’t get all of the other minerals involved. 

MSG is additional sodium that is not factored into the label of some foods. 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[melanieculver]

May everything you do to help people come back to you 100 fold. You’re a blessing!

[kellyfogg]

Wow you shocked me again and I used to eat the hole pizza but since I found your channel I have not eaten any pasta or pizza or crisps or sweets and I am eating a lot more vegetables than before I found your channel and I have tried cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower I loved them now and you have changed my life for ever and I do not wanted to go back to my old eating habits.

[dirtisbetterthandiamonds]

I'm having such a hard time with this very thing. Thank you so much for all your videos. Hope to thank you myself someday, you are truly a life saver! Best wishes for 2020 🎉

[thestuff]

Ordinary people like 99% do not know this. You're the man Dr. Berg.

[midoasmar]

No words to describe how amazing your work is. Thanks for the great information😍😍😍

[DrAskildsen]

I make sure the meat is organic grass-fed and then balance it with 70% fat / 20% Protein, and some Cod liver and 6ppm Water. The perfect ratio, My doctor asked what I have done because whatever I do, it is working. So I keep this lifestyle with little liver every Monday (150g). I eat the liver raw, but like the meat, medium cooked and the fat raw as well. One year in and already no medications and health are good. 200 cm high and 81kg (178.574432 pounds).

[mannyradzky]

Excellent vid. Short but BUT LOADED with information. Thank you Dr.

[kennedywanambisi]

Dr. Berg thank you for the immense knowledge I have gained in healthy living. Watching you from Africa.

[ReginaReRoma]

Hi Dr. Berg. I follow you on the Arabian channel, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful help you are giving to humanity. I would also like to thank the translators who are doing a wonderful job. I'v been charing your videos everywhere on social media and whats app. I really can't thank you enough, God bless you.

[allaboutmycats]

I’ve noticed the more potassium I consume from veggies, the less water retention I have.

[cheryltolbert]

My mom just passed from cancer. The hospice Dr kept adding more and more blood pressure meds. Mom would swell and I would say she needed potassium. When she would take it she would perk up and the swelling would go away but the nurse and Dr kept saying NO! don't take the potassium. Once they got her blood pressure down to 120 over 80 she declined and passed away

[chrismorrell]

“No Salt” brand at Wal Mart is a great potassium source. Tastes just like salt too.

[MrMatt]

I had added the correct amount of potassium daily about a year ago but it wasn't until I added in just a little more added sodium that my electrolytes seemed to start come into balance. A much better blood pressure now, in fact (working with my doctor) I've recently stopped taking my blood pressure RX and the results are still looking very good!

[Khrystal-Karlett]

Thanks Dr. E! This is a great video. I just found out that I need to watch my sodium. This is why I started my health journey years ago.

[armageddonibliz]

Thank you for this doc. This is one of the lessons i learned in our biology class years ago that stucked on me. The sodium potassium pump.

[vargo]

Thanks TO YOU DR. BERG MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS FINALLY COMING DOWN!😊😉💓 PEOPLE DONT REALIZE ONLY WAY THESE DAYS IS TO. TAKE POTASSIUM VITAMINS TO INCREASE IT BACK UP TO 2500 AND STOP EATING MANUFACTURED FOODS!😉😊MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS NOW AVERAGING 127/75 !😊😉💓

[dreamstate]

Let me just say that I never comment on YouTube videos. Dr. Berg, you are the man, though! My BP in September 2022 was averaging about 156/93--taken 8 times over a 20-minute period in the evenings. For reference, I'm male, 42, 150 pounds. Since ensuring that my sodium/potassium ratio is always between 1 to 2 or even 1-4 daily, my average (and this only took 2 weeks to accomplish) is now 122/82. Can't believe that we can have this much control simply by being informed and trying something. Thanks so much! While there's still more work that I can do to get my numbers even better, this is great news for me!

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering, my sodium intake is never really above 1, 500, and my potassium ranges from 2, 900 to 4, 500 a day--depending on what I'm eating. Usually, sodium is around 1, 200 and potassium around 3, 500.

[ropeyarn]

In my experience you can't just counter sodium intake with more potassium intake. Gary Null talked about this train of thought for years. The end result of a high intake of sodium will always be a strain on the kidneys and reduced circulation. An increase in potassium is necessary in its own right to benefit all things peristalsis -- circulation, cramps, digestion, constipation -- as Dr. Berg has pointed out in his other videos. Stay healthy everyone.

[ayadhussin]

The more importantly is that you keep make more videos about health please. Because todays society people lack knowledge about it and to find the clue.

[Borisefremov]

Doctor, you are a lifesaver! Thank you very, very much! God Bless you and all of your relatives and friends.