What happens if the body lacks sodium

Sodium is actually an element that exists in our bodies, and it is very important to our bodies. However, we may also experience some sodium deficiency, which should be taken seriously. If there is insufficient sodium in the body, it may lead to some diseases or abnormal conditions. So what will happen if the body lacks sodium?

The role of sodium: Sodium is the main positively charged ion in the extracellular fluid. It participates in water metabolism, ensures water balance in the body, and regulates water and osmotic pressure in the body. Maintain the balance of acid and alkali in the body. It is a component of pancreatic juice, bile, sweat and tears.

Sodium is related to the production and utilization of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), muscle movement, cardiovascular function, and energy metabolism. In addition, sugar metabolism and oxygen utilization also require the participation of sodium. Maintain normal blood pressure. Enhance neuromuscular excitability.

Sodium is generally not easily deficient in the human body. However, in certain circumstances, such as fasting, eating less, very low intake due to strict dietary sodium restriction, or excessive sodium excretion and loss due to high temperatures, heavy physical labor, excessive sweating, gastrointestinal diseases, repeated vomiting, and diarrhea, or certain diseases, such as Addison's disease causing the kidneys to be unable to effectively retain sodium, parenteral nutrition with sodium deficiency or low sodium, and the use of diuretics that inhibit renal tubular reabsorption of sodium can all cause sodium deficiency.

The early symptoms of sodium deficiency are not obvious: fatigue, apathy, listlessness, and even fainting when standing up. When sodium loss reaches 0.5g/kg body weight or more, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood pressure, and painful Gill cramps may occur, and no chloride will be detected in the urine.

Sodium is a metallic element that is located in the 3rd period and IA group in the periodic table. It is a representative of alkaline metal elements. It has a soft texture and can react with water to form sodium hydroxide, releasing hydrogen. It has a relatively active chemical property. Sodium is widely distributed in the land and ocean in the form of salt. Sodium is also one of the important components of human muscle and nerve tissue.

The main source of sodium for the human body is food. Sodium is absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine with a very high absorption rate, and almost all of it can be absorbed, so the sodium content in the feces is very low. Sodium absorption in the jejunum is mostly passive, while in the ileum it is mostly active. Sodium competes with calcium in the reabsorption process in the renal tubules, so when sodium intake is high, calcium reabsorption will be reduced accordingly, while urinary calcium excretion will be increased. Because urinary calcium loss accounts for about 50% of calcium retention, a high-sodium diet has a significant impact on calcium loss. People who work in high temperatures, do heavy physical labor, and sweat frequently need to pay attention to sodium supplementation (drinking light salt water, etc.).

Sodium is commonly found in various foods, and generally animal foods contain more sodium than plant foods. However, the main sources of sodium for the human body are table salt, sodium or sodium-containing complexes (such as glutamate, baking soda, etc.) added during food processing and preparation, as well as soy sauce, salted or pickled meat or smoked foods, pickled vegetables, fermented soy products, salty snacks, etc.