Hi all,

My mother is still struggling with high blood pressure, and as she's transitioning to a more paleo diet, we have some questions about sodium. I was never convinced that sodium was an issue for her, and I thought that water intake was more an issue, but she's drinking enough.

Now I'm concerned about the sodium content of meats. She's eating chicken, turkey, (mostly grass-fed, sometimes not), fish and eggs for animal protein. Lots of veggies, small amount of fruit, butter and liberal amounts of olive oil, barely any grain at all anymore, but she has been eating a small amount of low-salt cheese. Yesterday her systolic pressure was 200 even when she was feeling relaxed, so she thinks it might have been from something she ate, maybe sardines, because today she's back to high-normal.

I'm not sure if the sardines contain added salt, but the animal foods seem to contain higher amounts of sodium even when unsalted, than many of the vegetarian foods she used to eat. I want to keep encouraging her that this way of eating really is best in the long run, and the more information she hears in favor if it, the more motivated she will be.

I think that fresh fish is going to be the best food for her, but for variety she'll need to be eating the other foods and I don't want her to be feeling worried about it.  Any information is appreciated!

Also, in addition to not being able to get grass-fed beef or wild game, she doesn't feel ready to eat these foods, and I'm wondering if the poultry, fish and eggs are enough. If she gets enough protein with those foods, and takes a fish oil supplement, is there any reason why adding beef would be particularly beneficial?

Thanks,
Karen