Major Mineral- Sodium

Question 1

What is salt mainly obtained by

Answer 1

Mainly obtained from Sodium Chloride
-40% Sodium
-60% chloride

Question 2

What are functions of sodium

Answer 2

-Both sodium and chloride- essential constituents of body fluids and required to maintain fluid balance
-Also required to control movement of fluid between different body components
-Needed for enzyme activation in the body and the transport of Carbon Dioxide in the body
-Helps conduct nerve impulses and bring about muscle contraction including heartbeat

Question 3

What are Sodium Requirements

Answer 3

Recommended no more than 6g per day
-May be necessary for athletes and people working in hot, heavy industries to take extra salt as they will lose lots through sweating

Question 4

Deficiency

Answer 4

-Lost from body through sweat- cannot be prevented
-During strenuous exercise/ hot weather- large amounts of salt lost through sweat
-Causes concentration of salt in tissue fluids to lower- lead to WEARINESS AND MUSCULAR CRAMPS
-Salt deficiency- FATIGUE AND NAUSEA- cause person to become THIRSTY

Question 5

Excess

Answer 5

-Associated with health problems- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE and HEART DISEASE
Excess- EXCRETED
-BABIES CANNOT TOLERATE HIGH SODIUM INTAKES- KIDNEYS CANNOT EXCRETE THE EXCESS
-Linked to STOMACH cancer
-lead to OEDEMA (swelling of ankles)- due to fluid retention
-high amounts raises blood pressure, when sodium levels are excessive, the kidneys cannot excrete enough sodium and thus it builds up in blood, the sodium attracts and holds water- leading to increased blood volume

Question 6

Ways to reduce salt intake

Answer 6

-Use less salt in cooking- get flavour from spice
-Eat less salty snacks (peanuts and crisps)
-Try reduced salt versions, eg canned veg- these contain more chloride and less sodium