Sodium (Na+)

Functions

• nerve and muscle function
• fluid balance

Deficiency

• muscle cramps
• weakness
• headache
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
• dehydration
• confusion
• depression
• palpations
• impaired taste
• low blood pressure
• seizures
• deficiency rare in developed countries
• acute deficiency caused by extremely heavy perspiration

Characteristic

• Mineral

Good Sources

• table salt
• milk and dairy products
• meats
• also found in many processed foods
• drinking water (some locations)

Adequate Intakes (AI)

• Males and Females (19-51+ yrs.)
  • • 1,500 mg (1.5 g)
    • 500 mg
• Children
  • 10-18 yrs.
    • 500 mg
  • 6-9 yrs.
    • 400 mg
  • 2-5 yrs.
    • 300 mg
  • 1 yr
    • 225 mg
• Infants
  • 7 mths-1 yr
    • 200 mg
  • birth-6 mths
    • 120 mg
• Sufficient data to set RDA are unavailable

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL)

• Adults (19 to 50 yrs)
  • 2,300 mg (2.3 g)
• Intakes above UL may lead to negative health consequences.
  • edema
  • elevated blood pressure
  • deseases of liver and kidneys
  • potassium deficiency

Supplementation

• Not recommended, not necessary.
• Most Americans get excessive sodium from their diets
• Some recommend 2400 mg daily
• Best taken with calcium, potassium, sulfur, vitamin D