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Sodium
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[The main thing about sodium
Sodium is considered an alkaline extracellular cation. Sodium, together with potassium (Ka) and chlorine (Cl) - one of the most necessary nutrients for the body. Total sodium in the body contains 70-110 grams, the third part of which is in bone tissue, and all the rest in extracellular fluids, in muscle tissue and nerves.
The amount of sodium needed per day
The daily norm of sodium is easy to maintain, as a day you need to consume 4-6 g of this element, and in 15 grams of simple table salt is already contained the right portion of sodium.
When should I increase my sodium intake?
During heat and during sports, a person loses a lot of moisture in the form of sweat, so under such conditions it is necessary to increase the intake of sodium. Also, this must be done with the use of diuretics, with severe vomiting and diarrhea, with burns and with Addison's disease (insufficiency of the adrenal cortex).
Sodium digestibility
If the body is completely healthy, then sodium is excreted along with the urine in almost the same amount as it did.
The beneficial effect of sodium on the body
Sodium, together with potassium (Ka) and chlorine (Cl), participates in water-salt metabolism of cells in the human and animal body, but maintains the balance of extracellular fluids, neutralizes acids, makes alkaline effect and maintains osmotic pressure.
Sodium regulates blood pressure, helps the normal functioning of the heart muscle and reduces all muscle groups. He attaches special endurance to the tissues, balances the heartbeat. Digestive and excretory systems do not do without its influence, and the transfer of useful substances inside and out of the cell without it is simply impossible.
Sodium is a potassium antagonist (Ka) in the body, so that it works correctly, the ratio of sodium to potassium (Ka) should be 1: 2. If there is too much sodium in the body, then its balance can be leveled with the addition of an additional amount of potassium (Ka).
Interaction of sodium with other elements of the body
If too much sodium is present in the body, then potassium (Ka), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are eliminated from the body in too large quantities, and this can lead to health problems.
Symptoms of sodium deficiency
If there is not enough sodium in the body, then he loses his appetite, can not distinguish between the taste of food, such a person can complain of nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. It is also possible to lose weight due to water, increase gassing in the intestine. There can be skin rashes, severe fatigue, dizziness and a sharp change of mood, muscle weakness, convulsions. Often people with sodium deficiency complain of a memory impairment and a weak resistance to infections.
Symptoms of excess sodium
When the body is saturated with this element, there may be swelling, allergies and strong thirst. The fact is that sodium strongly binds water, therefore, with its excess consumption, water accumulates in the body and is poorly excreted. This leads to an increase in blood pressure, and, accordingly, to heart disease (possibly the onset of a stroke).
When there is not enough potassium (Ka) in the body, sodium penetrates into the cells and brings in too much water. Sometimes this leads to the fact that the cells, saturated with water, burst, the muscle tissue swells and forms a dropsy. A constant elevated salt content in the body leads to a variety of edema, kidney disease and hypertension.
Why is excessive accumulation of sodium in the body?
In addition to the fact that excess sodium can occur with frequent consumption of salt in large quantities (salty foods), it can also occur under stress or treatment with corticosteroids, such as cortisone.
Aldosterone, which produces the adrenal glands during stress, is able to retain sodium in the body.
What affects the amount of sodium in foods?
The amount of this element in the products depends only on how much of the salt you added during cooking.
The reasons for the lack of sodium
Usually it is extremely difficult to lose a significant amount of sodium from the body, but it can happen in hot weather, besides, the losses can be so great that it becomes a threat to your health. Such changes in the body can lead to fainting. Salt diets also lead to loss of sodium, which causes diarrhea and frequent vomiting.
Products with sodium content
The largest amount of sodium contains sea kale - almost 520 mg. About 200-300 mg of this mineral contain flounder, octopus, mussels and lobster. 130-160 mg of sodium contain anchovies, shrimps, sardines, ordinary chicken eggs and smelt fish. More accessible for everyone can be cancers, squids or fish sturgeon - they contain a lot of sodium, and this will be enough to make the body healthy.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Sodium" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.