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Day 13 - low salt threatens Blaine
Chronic salt deprivation is emerging as the biggest physical problem that could be faced by David Blaine, now nearing the end of his second week inside the box.
Dr Adam Carey, an independent expert in nutrition, explains that an average person in a temperate climate normally loses 2g of salt per day. This increases with higher temperature or exercise.
The average Briton's diet, rich in processed foods, contains 6g of salt per day. Combined with the UK's temperate climate, this means there is little risk from natural salt loss. Even acute sodium depletion, as experienced during vigorous exercise, can usually be coped with in these circumstances. However, chronic salt loss caused by starvation is likely to be more dangerous.
Blaine's natural salt loss is being exacerbated by unusually warm weather, which is causing David to sweat more than anticipated. Yesterday, for example, the temperature was 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal for the time of year. Inside the box, where there is no breeze, it is thought to be warmer still, despite Blaine's attempts to create shade using his bedding.
Dr Carey believes that in this environment, Blaine may be losing as much as double the average quantity of sodium. Meanwhile he has been drinking 3-4 litres of water per day.
Short-term side effects are likely to include faintness, dizziness and confusion. David has already reported feeling giddy when he stands.
In the longer term, the dangers are far more serious. Sodium, an electrolyte, is used to conduct messages in the body's nerve cells. If the number of electrolytes is reduced or diluted vital bodily functions can be disrupted. Most dangerous of the possible side effects is irregular heart rhythm. For example, Dr Carey explains that if an average person drank a gallon of water at once the electrolyte disturbance would be enough to cause a heart attack.
Weight loss as expected
David is now thought to have lost more than 10lbs in weight, which is as expected. Dr Carey explains that the most rapid loss of weight occurs in the first few days of starvation, when the body burns off its stores of glycogen to sustain vital sugar supplies. Between 3.5 and 4lb of water are stored with this glycogen, which contributes to the body losing around 7lb in the first week of starvation. After this time weight loss slows to 3-4lb per week as the body begins to burn fat and then muscle for its energy.
Dr Carey expects Blaine to lose around a quarter of his body weight during the six-week feat.
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