Sodium

Role of Sodium in the Body

Sodium is an extracellular element, involved in fluid balance, regulation of blood pressure, and cell membrane permeability.

Functions of Sodium

• Circulatory - maintenance of blood pressure, increases heart rate
• Excretory - helps maintain acid-base balance
• Digestive - required to produce hydrochloric acid in stomach
• Endocrine - reduces aldosterone secretion
• Detoxification - keeps toxic substances in solution

Sodium Deficiency Symptoms

fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, slow oxidation rate, low hydrochloric acid level, anorexia, depression-mental, apathy, poor protein digestion, bloating-abdominal, allergies, dizziness

Sodium Excess Symptoms

high blood pressure, water retention, headache, fast oxidation rate, nervousness, lowers calcium and magnesium level, irritability

Synergistic Nutrients

Absorption - calcium
Metabolic - zinc, choline, inositol

Antagonistic Nutrients

Absorption - calcium
Metabolic - zinc, choline, inositol

Hair Analysis Notes

Sodium is referred to as the volatility mineral.

Low Hair Sodium:

• excellent indicator of impaired adrenal gland activity
• very low sodium is indicative of exhaustion

High Hair Sodium

• indicative of excessive adrenal gland activity
• often indicates excitability and fast oxidation
• sodium levels can be elevated by toxic metals, especially cadmium

Supplementing Sodium

Salt consumption can be harmful if excessive or if blood pressure is elevated. Slow oxidizers with low sodium levels and low blood pressure often feel better when the use sea salt of natural soy sauce in cooking.

Sources of Sodium

Seafood - tuna, clams, caviar, lobster, sardines, scallops, shrimp
Vegetables - beet greens, celery, swiss chard, olives, peas, carrots, celery, dandelion greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus
Fruits - cherries, peaches, strawberries, apples, huckleberries, gooseberries, watermelon

Supplementary Vitamins to raise sodium

Vitamin C, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin E

The Effects of Sodium on Personality

Key Words: initiator, energy, volatility, (adrenalin)

Low Sodium: fatigued, lethargic, depressed, unable to get started, very low indicates burnout
High Sodium: active high energy, aggressive, volatile, a 'starter', acute stress

Interaction Chart