COLLOIDAL MINERALS
SODIUM
Sodium (Na) is the predominant action in extra cellular fluid and its concentration
is under tight homeostatic control. Excess dietary sodium is excreted in the
urine. The mineral is very efficiently reabsorbed by the kidney when intakes
are low or losses are excessive. Sodium acts in consort with potassium, the
chief action of intracellular fluid, to maintain proper body water distribution
and blood pressure. Sodium also is important in maintaining the proper acid-base
balance and in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Deficiencies: Persons who experience pronounced losses of sodium through
diarrhea, heavy perspiration or inability of the kidney to reabsorb it may experience
decreased blood volume and a fall in blood pressure that could result in shock.
Diet recommendations: The Estimated Minimum Requirement of
Healthy Persons for sodium from the National Academy of Sciences ranges from
120 mg/day for infants to 500 mg/day for adults and children >10 years.
Recommendations for the maximum amount of sodium that can be incorporated
into a healthy diet range from 2,400 to 3,000 mg/day or 6 to 7.5 grams of table
salt/day. Individuals with hypertension should see their physician to determine
if a sodium-restricted diet is appropriate for them.
The usual dietary intake of sodium in the U.S. and other populations where
salt is readily available ranges from about 2,300 to 4,500 mg/day. Mean sodium
intake for the entire U.S. population is 3,280 mg Na or 8.2 grams salt /day;
however, discretionary salt intake is not included. Intake of discretionary
salt, that added during cooking and at the table, averages 2.7 g/day according
to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A diet based on Asian
foods, such as soy sauce and monosodium glutamate, may contain the equivalent
of 30 to 40 grams salt/day.
Food sources: Sodium added to processed foods account for the majority
of sodium (75 %) in the U.S. diet. The remainder comes from discretionary salt
(15 %) and the sodium that occurs naturally in foods (10%). High amounts of
sodium are found in table salt and soy sauce, followed by foods in brine such
as pickles, olives and sauerkraut. Salty or smoked meats and fish, salted snack
foods, bouillon cubes, bottled sauces, processed cheeses, and canned and instant
soups also contain significant levels of sodium.
Toxicity: Acute toxicity results in edema and hypertension and can
cause death in an infant because of limited excretory ability of the immature
kidney. However, sodium is generally nontoxic for healthy adult individuals
because it is excreted readily in the urine. High salt intakes have been correlated
with hypertension. Meta analysis suggest that a reduction in sodium intake of
2,300/day would lower systolic blood pressure by about 5-6 mm Hg and diastolic
pressure by 1-2 mm Hg among hypertensives. However, salt-responsive individuals
are estimated to be only 20% of the population. The expected impact of a similar
restriction among the normotensive population is considerably smaller (1-2 mm
Hg systolic and 0-1 mm Hg diastolic). The appropriateness of current recommendations
for the general healthy population to restrict sodium intake has been a matter
of debate in the public health community.
Recent research: A study of nearly 2,600 males with mild to moderate
hypertension showed that those in the lowest quintile for sodium excretion had
significantly greater incidence of coronary heart disease than subjects in the
upper quintile. Low sodium diets have also been associated with elevated serum
lipids.
For further information:
Muntzel, M. & Tilman, D. (1992) A comprehensive review of the salt and blood
pressure relationship. Am J. Hypertension 5: 1S-42S
National High Blood Pressure Education Program (1993) Working Group Report
on Primary Prevention of Hypertension. NIH Publication No. 93-2669. National
Institutes of Health, Washington, DC.
RELATED ARTICLES
SILICON
Thiamin (vitamin B-1)
 Sports Toddy
VS Gatorade
CALCIUM
POTASSIUM
?
MINERAL MUNCH
ANALYSIS OF
COLLOIDAL MINERAL
1,200 people
may need new lab tests
Beta-Carotene:
use and function
CHRONIC
FATIGUE SYNDROME
 VITAMINS:
|
