Sodium Chloride: NaCl

Question 1

Sodium and Chloride

Answer 1

• Sodium (Na+) is the main extracellular cation in the body.
• In nature it is only found as a compound due to its high reactivity
• It is most commonly bound to the anion Chloride (Cl -) forming Sodium Chloride (NaCl), otherwise known as salt
• All life has evolved to depend on its chemical properties.
• Humans have taste and appetite systems especially for salt.
• Common table salt is 40% Sodium and 60% Chloride by weight.

Question 2

<p>Sodium and Cloride and Blood Pressure</p>

Answer 2

<p>• Plasma sodium is tightly controlled in the body, and its principle role is regulating extracellular fluid volume.<br></br>• When Na levels fall, Renin is secreted by the kidneys, eventually stimulating the formation of angiotensin II in the lungs and the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex.<br></br>• Aldosterone increases sodium (and subsequently water) reabsorption in the kidneys (increasing BP).<br></br>• Raised plasma sodium stimulates the release of antidiuretic hormone which stimulates renal reabsorption of water (increasing BP).</p>

Question 3

NaCl: Food Sources

Answer 3

• Sodium and chloride are sufficiently present in most natural foods.
• However, approx. 70% of the sodium intake in the typical western diet comes from processed food or is added during food preparation.

Question 4

<p>NaCl: Requirement</p>

Answer 4

<p>Min. daily requirement: <500mg.<br></br>Max. rec’d. intake: 2,300mg.<br></br>Avg. daily intake (west): 2k - 14k mg.</p>

Question 5

<p>NaCl: Roles</p>

Answer 5

<p>pH Balance and Blood Pressure</p>

<p>Nerve Transmission</p>

<p>Digestion</p>

Question 6

NaCl: pH Balance & Blood Pressure - Functions

Answer 6

• Na and Cl help to maintain the acid alkaline balance in the body.
• Sodium increases water return and increases blood pressure

Question 7

<p>NaCl: pH Balance & Blood Pressure - Therapeutic Uses</p>

Answer 7

<p>• Electrolyte replacement<br></br>• Hypotension<br></br></p>

Question 8

NaCl: Nerve Transmission

Answer 8

• Na is essential in nerve impulse transmission (sodium influx into a neuron → action potential).
• Controls muscle contractions

Question 9

<p>NaCl: Nerve Transmission - Therapeutic Uses</p>

Answer 9

<p>• Muscle cramps<br></br></p>

Question 10

<p>NaCl: Digestion: Functions</p>

Answer 10

<p>•Cl is a constituent of stomach acid - Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)<br></br></p>

Question 11

<p>NaCl: Digestion - Therapeutic Uses</p>

Answer 11

<p>• Hypochlorhydria<br></br></p>

Question 12

<p>NaCl Deficiency</p>

Answer 12

<p>• Like Potassium, Sodium levels are very tightly regulated by the kidneys and, therefore, deficiency is difficult to induce.<br></br>• When it does occur, it is usually a result of a medical condition.</p>

Question 13

<p>NaCl Deficiency Causes</p>

Answer 13

<p>Persistent diarrhoea<br></br>Overuse of diuretics<br></br>Vomiting<br></br>Anorexia nervosa<br></br>Chronic renal disease<br></br>Excess water intake<br></br>Major trauma<br></br>Liver disease<br></br>Cachexia (wasting condition)<br></br>Ulcerative colitis</p>

Question 14

<p>Individuals sensitive to high salt intake</p>

Answer 14

<p>Chronic kidney disease<br></br>People of African origin<br></br>Diabetes Mellitus<br></br>Family history of hypertension<br></br>Obesity or overweight people<br></br>Genetic variants of the ‘ACE’ gene (increased risk of high BP)</p>

<p>• Also, low dietary Ca, K, & Mg promote Na induced hypertension.</p>