Daily Requirements. Our body only requires 460 milligrams of sodium (about 1/5 of a teaspoon of salt) to maintain good health. The American Heart Association sets the upper limit for sodium at 2,300 mg per day (about 1 teaspoon of salt) for healthy Americans. For people who have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease, the recommended amount may be lower. It All Adds Up.