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SODIUM
- “THE YOUTH ELEMENT”
by Charlie Skeen
Sodium Found Naturally in the Body
Many people consider sodium taboo and try to eliminate it from their
diet as much as possible. But it may surprise you to know that sodium
is crucial in maintaining a healthy body. For example, a normal man
weighing 150 pounds contains in his body 2 1/2 to 3 ounces of sodium.1
Sodium is found in virtually all connective tissue, joints, bone, cartilage,
ligaments, synovial membranes, liver, spleen, muscles, stomach, brain,
and blood. About 0.2% is found in the liver, 0.2% in the brain, and
0.2% in the blood. Large amounts of sodium (0.9%) are contained in the
cartilage, 0.7% in the lymph fluid, 0.7% in fibrous tissues and 0.8%
in the synovial fluid.1
Sodium Required
for Good Health
Sodium works with potassium to equalize the acid-alkali factor
in the blood. Working with potassium, it regulates water balance in
the body. Also, it works with potassium in muscle contraction and expansion
and nerve stimulation. It keeps blood minerals soluble preventing them
from forming deposits in the bloodstream. It acts with chlorine to maintain
healthy blood and lymph systems, assists in purging carbon dioxide from
the body, and is required for hydrochloric acid production in the stomach
which is crucial for proper digestion and assimilation of proteins and
minerals. Nutrients essential for maintaining healthy joints. 2
Sodium Naturally Occurs Abundantly
in Our Food
Because sodium is so vital to the human body, it is found in the soil,
in fruits and vegetables, grains, meats, and water. The only time sodium
becomes a problem is when people eat processed foods and add it to their
food in the form of table salt contributing to an over sodium and under
potassium condition. This results in water being pulled into the cells
of the body causing them to swell and producing edema. The heart will
not function efficiently and the individual can experience muscle spasms
throughout the body including the blood vessels, a feeling of fatigue
and strained mental focus.
Lifestyle Change Necessary to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure
When people develop high blood pressure one of the first things they
may do is try to eliminate sodium over time which could create other
health problems, such as increased blood pressure. When Dr. John Laragh,
a cardiologist at Cornell University conducted a study in which he introduced
severe salt restriction in 100 patients with high blood pressure, he
found it worked in about 1/3 of the subjects. However, in about half,
or 50 of the patients, it had no effect at all. The interesting part
is that the low salt-diet caused an increase in blood pressure in 20%
of the patients. This shows that there is more to lowering and controlling
blood pressure than simply reducing your sodium intake. It entails a
holistic approach, or healthy lifestyle. 3
Healthy Eating and Drinking Necessary
to Maintain Balance
Instead of trying to eliminate
sodium we need to eat a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,
beans and legumes, fresh clean water and juices, especially vegetable
juices, properly prepared lean cuts of fish, chicken, and turkey in
moderation, and avoid salt laden processed foods and added table salt.
Eating like this would provide our bodies with the natural sodium we
need everyday along with potassium and other important minerals necessary
to keep our bodies healthy. And, part of being healthy is having good
flexible joints. Since sodium is required to maintain the integrity
of the cartilage, the lubricating synovial fluid, connective tissues,
and muscles, then we should make sure our bodies receive this vital
mineral each day from natural unprocessed food and drink so
that our potassium and other vital minerals are in balance.
References:
1 Bernard Jensen, Ph.D,
The Chemistry of Man (1983):330
2 Nutrition Almanac 3rd Edition 1990, pg 88
3 Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D. and Elmer M. Cranton, M.D., Trace Elements,
Hair Analysis and Nutrition (1983):94
DISCLAIMER:
The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and
is not intended to provide medical advice which should always be obtained
from a qualified health practitioner, and has not been approved by the
U.S. FDA.
Copyright© 2004 by Live
Well Naturally. The use of information found in Live Well Naturally
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