Sodium
From IKE
Contents |
Basics
- aka Na
- Funky element
Role
- Sodium is the major extracellular cation
- Goes with water and maintains the volume of blood
- Daily intake is 5 - 10g per day, mostly from table salt
- Sodium is regulated by the kidney
- Low blood sodium stimulates kidney angiotensin
- This acts on the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone which increases distal tubular reabsorption of sodium in kidney
Deficiency
- apparently never a problem
- What about that guy on TLC's survival week who was in the jungle and lost his salt and almost DIED!?
Toxicity
- Excessive sodium intake can be harmful for some
- Not usually a large problem because of the excretion mechanisms
