Sodium: A Life Supporting Element

Sodium (Na - chemical element 1) essential mineral, life supporting element, and important electrolyte (Molecules in the human body are either positive or negative ions. Sodium is one of many positive electrolyte ions in the human body. When one or more ion concentration changes: Chronic disease or serious consequences. 2) in the human body, first discovered and isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy. (17, 3) Human body derives sodium from three natural sources: Water, plants (plants take sodium from water) and animals (animals ingest plants). Also, sodium is added to water and food in several ways: Household water softening purification systems exchange calcium ions for sodium ions, public water purification and bacterial control systems add sodium hypochlorite and municipalities use method of lime - soda method, soften water supplies requiring additional sodium compounds such as sodium carbonate. 6

Most of the time, people are not knowledgeable or aware sodium compounds added to many foods for a variety of reasons (improve taste, texture, preservative, and prevent mold growth (cheese & bread)).6 Seventy-five percent of processed and prepared foods contain sodium. 14 Common source of sodium chloride is salt. Intake 8 - 15 grams of salt equal about 3 to 6 grams (3,000 to 6,000 milligrams) of sodium. 6 Also milk, beets, and celery naturally contain sodium. 16 "About 40% of the body's sodium is contained in bone, some is found within organs and cells (about 2.5%) and the remaining 55% is in blood plasma and other fluids outside cells". Sodium functions to regulate good blood pressure, body fluids, normal transmission of nerve impulses, passages of various nutrients into cells, good heart activity, and good metabolic functions. 3 The National Academy of Sciences recommends safe and adequate level of sodium in healthy adults 1,500 - 2,400 milligrams (mg) a day. 14 ("Many people consume two or three times this amount". High concentration of sodium occurs eating at fast food restaurants selling hamburgers, French - fries or greasy foods 3). Sodium level in the body measured from a blood sample and sodium - sensitive electrode for measuring the concentration of sodium ions. 8 Decrease of sodium occurs as result of perspiration, secretions, and normal excretory functions (Excess sodium excreted in the urine 5). 3 Reserve supply of sodium stored primarily in the walls of the stomach and various organs of the body. 4

In a healthy human body, the intestines and kidneys regulate or adjust concentration of sodium, either being too much or too little. "During the course of a day, the intestines absorbs dietary sodium while the kidneys excrete a nearly equal amount of sodium into the urine". 15

Hyponatremia occurs if the body has less than adequate amount of sodium to maintain good health. Many causes for hyponatremia (or combination of factors ): Excessive perspiration (especially on hot days), low salt diet, taking diuretic medication (purpose to maintain low sodium diet), increase sodium excretion in urine, drinking water excessively (Dilute sodium in the blood) especially mental ill patients drink more than 20 liters of water per day (Thirty percent of runners encounter hyponatremia drinking pure water during a race), and prolonged and severe diarrhea (rapid loss of water, various nutrients and sodium). Diseases of the kidney, hypothalamus, adrenal gland (Healthy adrenal gland secretes aldosterone hormone that travels to the kidney, where it causes the kidney to retain sodium by not excreting it into the urine.) and pituitary gland may cause hyponatremia. 7 Also, burns and congestive heart failure cause hypontremia. 8 Symptoms of hyponatremia include disorientation, headache, and tiredness, nausea, and muscle cramps. 7 Also, low sodium level in the body may lead to anorexia nervosa, and restlessness. 8 Severe hypontremia link to neurological symptoms including seizures and coma, result movement of water into the brain cells, eventually brain swells and inhibits functioning. Hyponatremia not directly cause death but due to other features of the disease. 7 Options available to treat hyponatremia include medication (treat symptoms), intravenous (IV) fluids, drink fluids contain electrolytes (sports drinks), oxygen support through a mask or breathing machine, and water & salt restriction. Rapid development of hypontremia or occurring within 48 hours, cause more severe health concern compared when sodium levels fall slowly over period of days or weeks, allowing brain cells time adjust and minimal swelling. 8

Hypernatremia result of too high concentration of sodium (sodium level higher than145 mEq/L 10) in the body. Inability to drink water (Rare diseases impair ability desire for thirst) or not given water via infusion, sodium concentration increase in the blood (hypernatremia). Patients in hospitals given sodium bicarbonate for the treatment of acidosis (acidic blood), increase sodium concentration. 9 Also, patients who are unconscious, their sodium levels increase, unable to drink water. 15 High intake of salt either in diet or intravenous treatment causes hyperatremia. Other causes for hyperatremia include: kidney excrete excessive amount of urine (polyuria), sweating intensely during exercise or under excessive heat, prolonged diarrhea or vomitting cause hypermatremia or not sufficiently drinking enough water. Elderly likely experience hyperatremia by not recognizing they are thirsty or inability (incapacitated) to get a drink.10 Result of hypermatremia cause unconsciousness (or comatose). 9 Brain cells affected by hypermatremia cause muscle twitching, confusion and lethargy. Diagnosis of hypermatremia among elderly and children may lead to coma and death. 10

Elderly living in long - term care facilities or hospitalized likely experience either hyponatremia or hypernatremia. "Cross - sectional studies suggest that hyponatremia may be present in 15 to 18 percent of patients in chronic care facilities. Among nursing home patients who require acute hospitalization, the prevalence of hypernatremia has been reported to be more than 30 percent." 11

Eating healthy foods help reduce excessive sodium concentration: Unsalted nuts or seeds, eating fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts, limit eating salty snacks, avoid adding salt when most foods already contain some salt quantity, when dining out or ordering out food, request no additional salt be added, and prepare meals with spices and herbs enhance flavor and good substitute for salt.

12 Also, eating vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products and moderate amounts of lean meat limit sodium intake. 18 Increasingly consumers are more aware of sodium content labeling. "The market intelligence publisher estimates that traditional supermarkets, with at least $2 million sales, accounted for 75 percent of all sodium content claim foods and beverages last year (2007)". 13

References:

1.) Sodium - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium

2.) Electrolyte tests - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium

3.) Sodium: Body - http://www.lycos.com/info/sodium--body.html

4.) Sodium: Body - http://www.lycos.com/info/sodium--body.html?page=3

5.) Definition of Hypernatremia - http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3841

6.) Sodium in Your Water - http://www.systemsaver.com/windsor-website/education/water-facts/sodium-in-water.html

7.) Hyponatremia - http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/hyponatremia.jsp

8.) Hyponatremia - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000394.htm

9.) Hypernatremia - http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/hypernatremia.jsp

10.) Hypernatremia - http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/h/hypernatremia.htm

11.) Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia in the Elderly - http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000615/3623.html

12.) Sodium - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4708

13.) Low-, No Sodium Foods Catch on With Consumer Report - http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/health_wellness/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003708301&imw=Y

14.) Sodium: Are you getting too much? - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284

15.) Sodium imbalance - http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/4/Sodium-imbalance.html

16.) Sodium in diet - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002415.htm

17.) Na - sodium - http://www.3rd1000.com/elements/Sodium.htm

18) A word about sodium - http://nhlbisupport.com/chd1/Tipsheets/sodium.htm