Sodium is a metallic, soft chemical element with the chemical symbol Na from the Latin term which represents natrium. The atomic number is 11. It is highly reactive, particularly with water, and is silver-white in color. It is alkaline, or basic. The human body needs both sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), charged ions, along with other electrolytes such as potassium (K+) and magnesium (Mg+) and calcium (Ca++), for the proper function of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and muscular system. When these levels are imbalanced, there can be problems with the kidneys and urinary tract system, neurological system (nerves, brain), cardiovascular system (heart beat), and muscles (cramps, tetany, weakness, etc...).
Sodium is a mineral that helps regulate the blood volume, blood pressure, osmotic pressure, and pH. As humans, we need about 500 mg of sodium per day. NaCl, or table salt, is the main source of sodium in the human diet. Preservatives and additives also contain sodium, and these include items such as MSG (monosodium glutamate), sodium nitrite found in red meats, sodium saccharin found in sweeteners and sodas, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and sodium benzoate found in sodas. Americans consume approximately 3.4 grams of sodium per day, and studies estimate we should consume about 2 grams less per day to reduce chances of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure. Regulation of sodium between cells and extracellular fluid is referred to as osmoregulation. Sodium is the main component found in the human extracellular fluid, and it conducts many chemical reactions within the body and maintains osmotic pressure. Loss of water from this compartment results in an increase in sodium concentration. Loss of sodium and water from the extracellular fluid result in a condition known as hypovolemia. The renal-angiotensin system regulates the body's fluid and sodium concentration. When sodium concentration and blood pressure decrease, renin is released, which triggers the release of aldosterone and angiotensin, which in turn raises the levels to a normal level, when functioning properly. Sodium will be retained in the urine. On the other hand, when sodium concentration and blood pressure increase, renin production decreases, thereby lowering the levels of sodium back to normal. This is maintained by a sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+), an active transport channel, which pushes the charged ions across the cell membrane against the gradient and requires ATP (energy). Out of all the charged ions, sodium is by far the most prevalent in the extracellular fluid. |