| Sodium is an essential mineral or
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| | Common table salt is sodium chloride,
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| micronutrient found in the bones as well
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| | which is 40 percent sodium by weight.
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| as the fluid surrounding cells. It is a
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| | Ready made and packaged foods also
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| component of body secretions such as
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| | contain sodium bicarbonate, baking soda
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| saliva and enzymes, and is lost when the
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| | or sodium.
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| body sweats. Excess dietary sodium is
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| | Some drugs also have high amounts of
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| excreted through the urine. Sodium along
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| | sodium. Therefore, one must carefully
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| with potassium helps to regulate the
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| | read the labels on all over-the-counter
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| body's fluid balance.
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| | drugs before buying them. Look at the
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| Unlike other minerals, sodium (or sodium
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| | composition list on the drug to see if
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| chloride or popularly termed as salt) has
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| | the product has sodium - especially if
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| a identifiable and familiar taste.
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| | one is on a low sodium diet. Most spices
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| Benefits of sodium:
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| | also naturally contain very small amounts
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| A low sodium diet along with exercise,
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| | of sodium.
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| weight loss and medication helps reduce
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| | How to reduce sodium in diet?
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| high blood pressure in most people.
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| | - Choose fresh foods over frozen or
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| Sodium helps maintain proper distribution
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| | canned food items - they contain added
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| of water in the body, as well as blood
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| | salts.
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| pressure. It is also important for
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| | - Eat unsalted nuts, snacks, peas and
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| maintaining the proper acid-base balance
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| | lentils.
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| and in the transmission of nerve impulses
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| | - Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals
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| as well as muscle contraction. The kidney
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| | that are lower in sodium.
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| efficiently reabsorbs sodium when intake
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| | - Limit the amount of salty snacks and
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| is either low or losses are excessive.
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| | seasonings such as chips, pickles,
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| Sodium is beneficial for the treatment of
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| | condiments, sauces.
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| diarrhoea, muscle cramps, dehydration,
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| | - Cook fresh and from the scratch, since
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| and fever, since it has the property of
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| | processed foods usually has higher sodium
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| holding water in body tissues.
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| | content.
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| Sodium also helps to keep calcium and
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| | - Check sodium-content on food labels -
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| other minerals soluble in the blood, as
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| | choose low sodium brands.
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| well as stimulates the functioning of the
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| | - Do not be generous when adding salt at
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| adrenal glands. Sodium helps in
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| | the table.
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| preventing heat stroke.
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| | - Reduce intake of fast food, such as
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| The most common form of dietary sodium is
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| | pizzas, burgers, instant foods.
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| table salt, which contains 40 percent
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| | - Sprinkle lemon juice over vegetables.
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| sodium. One teaspoon of table salt
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| | Marinate meat, chicken and fish ahead of
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| contains about 2,300 mg of sodium.
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| | time with onion, garlic, and other spices
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| Sodium deficiency:
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| | and herbs before cooking to bring out and
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| Sodium deficiency is not quite common.
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| | enhance the flavour.
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| Most of us infact consume more sodium
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| | - Snack on fresh fruits, salads, low fat
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| than the recommended daily allowance.
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| | yoghurt, rather than chips, spicy snacks.
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| Excess sodium intake is linked with high
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| | - Eat fat-free or low-fat milk,
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| blood pressure and cardiovascular
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| | low-sodium as well as low-fat yogurt.
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| disease.
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| | - Use spices and herbs to enhance the
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| The most frequently observed sodium
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| | taste of your food, rather than adding
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| deficiency occurs when excessive heat
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| | extra salt.
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| causes heavy perspiration, thus reducing
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| | Your taste buds will gradually adjust to
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| body water and sodium to the extent that
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| | cutting down on salt.
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| dehydration affects normal functioning of
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| | High sodium intake - is it toxic?
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| the body.
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| | A high sodium diet may lead to water
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| Symptoms of sodium deficiency include
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| | retention, hypertension, high blood
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| weakness, loss of appetite, nausea as
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| | pressure and heart disease, even kidney
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| well as cramps in the muscles and
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| | stones. A high-sodium diet also increases
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| stomach. Such persons should use
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| | the need for potassium by the body.
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| increased amounts of table salt in their
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| | However, sodium is generally nontoxic in
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| food to supplement the sodium lost due to
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| | healthy adult individuals because the
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| dehydration and sweating.
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| | extra is excreted through the urine.
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| In rare cases, sodium deficiency can also
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| | Recommended Daily Allowance:
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| lead to shock due to decreased blood
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| | The recommendation is to consume less
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| pressure. This can also take place if the
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| | than 2,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium a
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| kidney is not able to reabsorb the sodium
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| | day. This is about 1 teaspoon of table
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| in the body. The person may have muscle
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| | salt per day. It includes sodium in all
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| or stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue,
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| | forms including salt.
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| mental apathy, appetite loss.
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| | People with high blood pressure should
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| What are the common sources of sodium?
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| | limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day.
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