Sodium
DESCRIPTION:
The adult human body contains an
estimated 120 g of sodium. One-third of total body sodium is
found in the skeletal structure. The rest is found in
extracellular fluids, nerve and muscle tissue.
Sodium is required for nerve impulse
transmission and muscular cell contraction. It is also important
for regulating plasma volume and balancing fluids in general.
Sodium is also involved in acid/base balance. Sodium plays an
important role in glucose transport from the intestine to the
blood.
Deficiency may cause "low salt
syndrome," which is characterised by weakness, laziness,
anorexia and vomiting,
mental confusion, abdominal cramps,
skeletal muscle aches. Deficiency can also cause plasma volume
reduction.
Sodium deficiencies can be caused by
chronic wasting illness (cancer, liver disease), major surgery
or trauma, excessive sweating, or ingestion of drugs that
inhibit sodium absorption.
REQUIREMENTS
RDA
For adults 1000-3300 mg
For children 11+ 1000-3300 mg
For children 7-10 600-1800 mg
For children 4-6 450-1350 mg
For children 1-3 325-975 mg
For infants 0.5-1 115-350 mg
For infants 0-0.5 115-350 mg
Dehydration:
Sodium chloride can be used to treat dehydration due to
excessive salt loss or salt deficiency. It can also help reduce
decreases in blood volumes in fasting patients.
Excessive perspiration:
Sodium chloride supplementation can help alleviate excessive
perspiration that occurs regularly.
Low weight or premature infants:
Sodium supplements can reduce excessive urinary excretion often
seen in low weight or premature infants.
Sodium deficiency:
Sodium can benefit such symptoms as weakness, muscle Cramps,
and aches.
Excessive intake of sodium can lead
to increased blood pressure and increased incidence of Migraine Headaches.
35-40 g daily of sodium chloride can cause edema. High salt
intake has also been linked to increased incidence of stomach
cancer and cerebrovascular disease. Doses that exceed several
grams per kilogram of body weight per day can be deadly, due to
its adverse effect on bodily functions, including heart muscle
function.
Salt intake should be restricted in
people with edema, Hypertension,
congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure.
INTERACTIONS
AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
There are no known drug interactions
or contra-indications for sodium.
Food sources of sodium: canned
asparagus, beef, bread, canned corn, cheese, egg, frankfurters,
ham, milk, peanut butter, canned salmon, sardines, sauerkraut,
Swiss chard, tomato juice, tuna.
REFERENCES:
1. Czanarin, DM. Minerals-Food,
Nutrition and Diet Therapy M.V. Krause and L.K. Mahan. W. B.
Saunders Co, Phila, 1984.
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