Benefits of Sodium in Our Body. Think of it as Table’s Best Better Half!!
What is it – Benefits – Sources
Benefits of Sodium. Sodium is abundantly present on Mother Earth. Most of us don’t know of Sodium in its pure and very reactive form, but in compounds such as table salt (sodium chloride).
While it has very important functions, Sodium is very often the black sheep of the mineral family due to its association with the development of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This condition can lead to an increased risk for stroke, heart attacks, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.
The average healthy adult needs about 2,300 milligrams per day, about 1 tablespoon. We all need Sodium for proper blood pressure regulation. Of note, low Sodium can cause a variety of serious malfunctions in the body. As an electrolyte, Sodium regulates bodily fluids and facilitates the transmission of electrical impulses in the body and, also, is an important regulator of muscle contractions.
A typical question for those who are interested is how to recognize Sodium deficiency in our body. As established above, intake of Sodium should be about 2,300 milligrams per day and the lack of proper intake may result in symptoms ranging in quality from irritating to fatal. Sodium in the body is so important that a deficiency of it may impact systems as primordial as the nervous system. Deficiency may result in diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, low blood pressure, lethargy, weight loss, confusion, dizziness, and muscular irritability.
Conversely, high Sodium levels can result in high blood pressure, swelling of the neuronal tissues, and may even cause cerebral edema. In fact, high levels of this mineral can result in severe illness and even coma if not corrected urgently.
Benefits of Sodium, Top 5
- Sodium works alongside other minerals like potassium and chloride to regulate our fluid balance. Sodium is responsible for normal fluid volume outside or cells and helps our cells function properly.
- Sodium is required by our body to maintain normal blood pressure.
- Sodium, along with other minerals such as potassium and chloride (known as electrolytes), is crucial for the maintenance of our acid-base balance.
- It is used by our body to help conduct nerve signals. Therefore, it is essential for healthy nervous system functioning to take place.
- Normal muscle contraction and relaxation are also dependent upon normal sodium levels in our body.
Vegan Sources of Sodium, Top 9
- Table salt.
- Breads.
- Pasta.
- Salty snacks.
- Rice.
- Swiss chard.
- Spinach.
- Olives.
- Artichoke.
Special Considerations
While Sodium is an important mineral with crucial functions, too much has long been known to be a risk for developing high blood pressure which can further lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and/or strokes.
Many people with health conditions such as the ones named above, or a history of congestive heart failure or kidney disease will need to check with their doctor because they will likely need to be put on a low sodium diet. A diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in processed foods generally provides high sodium and low potassium. This puts us at a tremendous risk for the illnesses described above. The key switch to a plant-based diet will provide the body with healthy high levels of potassium and low levels of sodium, contributing to healthy blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease.
Continue on to Learn More About Minerals
Benefits of Copper, The Powerful Conductor of All Things Positive in Your Body!!!
Benefits of Copper arise from its naturally occurring magnificent presence and abundance on Earth. We need Copper for a variety of our body’s metabolic functions.
Benefits of Molybdenum, The Powerful Body’s Turbo Pack!!!
Molybdenum is a marvelous mineral required by the body in very small amounts. It is found stored mostly in our bones and organs, namely the liver and kidneys.
14 Benefits of Magnesium and 16 Vegan Sources of Magnesium. Call it the Powerful Jack of All Trades!!
Benefits of Magnesium. Our body does not have the capability to “manufacture” it but fortunately, it is blissfully abundant in nature and it is easily obtainable through a healthy diet.
Benefits of Phosphorus. Elementally Wonderful for Great Health!!
Benefits of Phosphorus. It is a mineral normally found abundantly in nature and is required by our body to carry out a fantastic array of crucial functions. We obtain the phosphorus we need solely through a healthy diet.
Benefits of Potassium (“K”) – Where The K Stands For “The King of All Electrolytes!!!”
Benefits of Potassium. On the surface, Potassium seems like just another mineral found abundantly on our planet which must be consumed by us. Our bodies lack the capacity to manufacture it. Potassium is in fact a major intracellular element, referred to as a cation, because it carries a positive charge.
Benefits of Chromium – An Unbelievable and Marvelous Fat-Be-Gone Slimming Machine
Chromium is a trace mineral, which means that it cannot be broken down by heat and is needed by the body in small doses (120MCG). Chromium is used to combat chromium deficiency but it is also used to fight diabetes, high cholesterol, hormonal disorders, and many other conditions.
Benefits of Chloride – A Magnificent Mineral Which Also Happens to Be a PH Superhero
Benefits of Chloride. We should know that it is an inorganic major mineral known as an anion. It is found in our body’s extracellular fluid where blood and plasma are found.
Minerals, Magnificent, Powerful, and Necessary In Our Bodies
Minerals. They are magnificent, powerful, and necessary and very much like their vitamin counterparts, play various important roles in almost every aspect of bodily function, growth and healing.