Sodium, chloride, and potassium

Abstract

Summary Many health professionals and authoritative groups today recommend decreasing dietary intake of sodium from high–sodium content foods and table salt while increasing potassium because such maneuvers should enhance overall health. The sodium content of the body correlates directly with fluid volume. However, many throughout the world unfortunately ingest far more sodium than generally recommended, leading to volume expansion, edema, and elevate blood pressure. The large INTERMAP and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension clinical investigations corroborate findings from earlier studies like INTERSALT by concluding that higher sodium intakes cause elevated blood pressure leading to many cardiovascular perturbations. On the other hand, too small a circulating volume emanating from low sodium intake can create symptoms/signs ranging from tiredness/low blood pressure to outright disorientation/shock. Conversely, higher potassium intakes are characteristically associated with lower blood pressures and better cardiovascular performance. Nevertheless, high and low circulating potassium can also have profound adverse effects–primarily on depolarization/contraction of the heart. With diminished renal function, even moderate potassium intake can cause serious cardiovascular complications.