Sodium

Sodium is necessary for maintaining the proper blood pH and water balance in the body. It is also needed for muscle, nerve and stomach function. Carbon dioxide transport, and amino acid uptake from the gut and transportation to all cells are all dependent upon sodium. Because its found in virtually all foods and a deficiency in sodium is rare, no recommended daily intake has been established.

The link between sodium and hypertension is well established. About half of patients with hypertension and thirty percent of the general public are known as “salt sensitive.” Health officials and advisors universally agree that a low-to-moderate sodium diet throughout life helps in the prevention of hypertension.

What researchers are now exploring is how the relationship of sodium with other nutrients may affect hypertension. One of the most important links is between potassium and sodium. Reducing sodium intake while increasing potassium intake, and reaching a one-to-one ratio, lowers blood pressure, decreases the need for medications and reduces the risk for developing hypertension. According to Chinese researchers, a high-salt, low-potassium diet increases urinary excretion of calcium and increases the likelihood of hypertension. Increased potassium or calcium dosages increases sodium excretion, which may explain their roles in lowering blood pressure. Increased calcium output due to increased sodium in the diet may also raise the risk of kidney stones because of sodiumÕs tendency to increase urine volume and prevent calcium retention in tissues.¹

1 Silver J, Rubinger D, Frielaender M, et al: Sodium-dependent idiopathic hypercalciuria in renal stone formers. Lancet 1983;2:484.

• Bacon
• Beef, dried and fresh
• Bread
• Butter
• Clams
• Green beans
• Ham
• Margarine
• Milk
• Sardines, canned
• Table salt (chief source of sodium)
• Tomatoes, canned

NOTE: In most commercially canned vegetables, frozen foods and processed foods, salt is added to improve taste. "Highly processed" foods (also high in sodium) include soups, bouillon, pickles, potato chips, snack foods, ham.

Available as:

• Sodium-chloride tablets, but these may cause stomach distress and an overload on the kidneys.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Helps regulate water balance in body.
• Plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure.
• Aids muscle contraction and nerve transmission.
• Regulates body's acid-base balance.

What this mineral does:

• As an electrolyte, sodium is present in all body cells. Its most important function is to regulate the balance of water inside and outside cells. The two other most important electrolytes are potassium and chloride.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

• Lowers fevers.
• Prevents heatstroke.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
• Anyone who suffers prolonged loss of body fluids from vomiting or diarrhea.
• Those with Addison's disease.
• People suffering congestive heart failure who take diuretics.
• Those who drink water excessively for prolonged periods. (This is usually a psychiatric condition.)
• People who suffer some types of cancers of the adrenal glands.
• Anyone who suffers infections with high fever.
• Those who have excessive sweating (rare cause).
• People who use diuretics.
• Anyone who cannot eat or drink, such as those with stroke or gastrointestinal upset.
• Those with chronic kidney disease.

Miscellaneous information:

• We consume most of our sodium as sodium chloride—ordinary table salt.
• The most common problem with sodium in a healthy person is "too much," rather than "too little." A typical diet contains 3,000 to 12,000mg of sodium a day. For normal function, we only need 500mg to maintain sodium balance in the body.
• Excessive amounts of sodium can be a major factor in development of high blood pressure. Decreasing sodium intake helps control high blood pressure.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• Muscle and stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Mental apathy
• Muscle twitching and cramping (usually in legs)
• Appetite loss¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• Neuralgia¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• Serum sodium¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

Optimal Levels

• Limit daily intake to 1500 mg.

Minimum Dosage

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

No RDA has been established. Estimated safe intake given below.

Don't take if you:

• Congestive heart failure.
• Hepatic cirrhosis.
• Hypertension.
• Edema from any cause.
• A family history of high blood pressure.

Consult your doctor if you have:

• Any heart or blood-vessel disease.
• Bleeding problems.
• Epilepsy.
• Kidney disease.

Over age 55:

No special problems expected if healthy.

Pregnancy:

• Dietary restriction of sodium in healthy women during pregnancy is not recommended.
• Don't take megadoses.

Breast feeding:

• Dietary restriction of sodium in healthy women during lactation is not recommended.
• Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:

• None expected.

Storage:

• Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

Others:

• Too little sodium occurs almost entirely in people desperately ill with dehydration or those recovering from recent surgery or after excessive sweating from heavy physical activity in a hot environment.
• Proper replacement of sodium deficiencies requires care by your doctor and frequent laboratory studies.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

• Tissue swelling (edema)
• Stupor
• Coma.

What to do:

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.
• For accidental overdosage: Call emergency services, the telephone operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

• The adrenal cortex hormone aldosterone regulates sodium resorption from the kidneys.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

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