Daily Intake Assessment: Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium

Sodium Intake Recommendations

• The American Heart Association recommends less than 2,300mg/day of sodium for the general population, with an ideal target of less than 1,500mg/day for optimal cardiovascular health 1, 2
• The World Health Organization recommends less than 2,000mg/day of sodium, equivalent to 5g of salt 3, 1
• The 2024 European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommend less than 5g of salt per day, approximately 2,000mg of sodium 4, 5
• Reducing sodium intake by 1,000mg/day will lower blood pressure 2, 5

Potassium Intake Recommendations

• The Japanese Society of Hypertension recommends at least 3,000mg/day of potassium 6
• The American Heart Association recommends 4,700mg/day of potassium through dietary sources 4
• Increasing potassium consumption is recommended for adults with elevated blood pressure to reduce cardiovascular risk 4, 5
• Four to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily typically provide 1,500-3,000mg of potassium 4

Magnesium and Other Considerations

• Potassium supplementation should be avoided if you have chronic kidney disease or take potassium-sparing diuretics, as hyperkalemia risk increases 3, 4
• Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium chloride if you have chronic kidney disease, take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics, as this can cause dangerous hyperkalemia 3, 4, 1