What is it:
Sodium helps regulate body water content and is involved in energy utilisation and nerve function. Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure.
What does it do:
Controls the volume of extracellular fluid in the body; Maintains the pH balance in the body; Necessary to maintain electrical potentials of the nervous system - and so functioning of muscle and nerve tissues. Sodium acts with other electrolytes, especially potassium, in the intracellular fluid, to regulate the osmotic pressure and maintain proper water balance within the body. It is a major factor in maintaining the acid-base equilibrium, in transmitting nerve impulses, and in relaxing muscles. It is also required for glucose absorption and for the transportation of other nutrients across the membranes of cells .
Symptoms of deficiency:
A deficiency is rare, but can easily happen with diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating, and a shortage may lead to nausea, dizziness, poor concentration, headaches, cramps, anorexia, confusion, dehydration, depression, and muscle weakness.
Overdose/Cautions:
High salt intake have been associated with hypertension (high blood pressure), and a low salt diet may be used in the treatment of this condition.
Natural food sources:
leafy vegetables
pulses and legumes
Fruits
fish
meat
salt