Our research looks to understand whether current sodium intake guidelines should be revised to ones that are variable and individualized. Current sodium intake guidelines are the same for everybody – 2,300 mg a day – regardless of a host of physiological factors that may impact how much sodium people actually need. As previously discussed, two different interventions will take place during our study, with one following current intake guidelines, and another calculating sodium based on calculated calorie needs (sodium density). We anticipate finding comparable, or perhaps even better, endothelial function at the conclusion of the density intervention in comparison to the absolute sodium intake that will be based on current guidelines.
Should these be our findings, this pilot study will provide further baseline evidence indicating that there is value in changing dietary guidelines as they relate to sodium. As this is still a relatively new way of evaluating sodium intake, there would certainly be the expectation of further and continued research into ascertaining such findings. This is important because sodium is a highly important mineral right now due to the role it plays in certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Gaining a better understanding of sodium in this way could be highly impactful in allowing people to receive more personalized sodium guidelines that may better mitigate the risk of things like cardiovascular disease, which is affecting large amounts of the U.S. population. As the concept of using nutrition as medicine has been growing in popularity over the last several years, developments and research into niche areas such as this are having a great impact in allowing people to better understand how to manage different conditions.
After the last few weeks off, which I primarily spent back home in Pennsylvania, I am highly looking forward to this upcoming, and final, year at FSU. I will be continuing with research in Dr. Lobene’s lab as a research assistant and am excited to continue the trajectory of this project as well as work on more projects, both current and new, that will be happening in the coming semesters. Beyond the President’s Showcase that is specifically for the IDEA grant, we have begun to discuss showcasing our findings at various conferences throughout the year, which would be an incredible way to gain more exposure and, on a more personal level, finetune my presentation skills.
Furthermore, as this is my last year here, I will be applying to master’s programs in the fall to continue my education and further myself in the journey towards becoming a registered dietitian. I am very excited to begin working towards taking this next step, and am hoping to continue with research to some extent at whatever school I might end up at. I certainly have found that my experience with nutrition research has only further cemented my passion surrounding this field and the amazing impacts it can have, and I look forward to contributing to this impact, ideally within either the clinical or tactical spaces.
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