The Necessity of Salt
Written By: Ruth Muhtsun
In our overindulgent culture salt has gotten a bad rap. Food companies often tout low sodium alternatives.. For all the anti-salt campaigns, it’s a surprising fact to most that salt is a necessity like water and air. Salt aids in the transmission of electrical impulses between nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid , which consists of salt, encompasses the entire nervous system absorbing shock-waves and protecting tissue.
Salt also maintains fluid levels in the body. It is such a vital ingredient that our kidneys have evolved to retain it, unlike our marine counterparts which have adapted to a salt rich environment. Let’s think back to two important terms from high school biology: diffusion and osmosis. Diffusion is the movement of a material, in this case salt, from a higher concentration to a lower concentration, and osmosis is a term for the diffusion of water. The end purpose of diffusion and osmosis is to maintain a balance of the levels of salt and water in the cells and bloodstream. This balance can only occur because of the fact that water moves in the same direction as salt. So say you were stranded on a proverbial desert island, consumption of marine water would lead to dehydration because your body would excrete excess water while retaining salt. Cells all over the body will begin to shrink affecting numerous functions.
At the same time low sodium levels, or hyponatremia , can become fatal. In most instances, hyponatremia usually occurs after a person has engaged in brisk exercise. When we sweat, salt is lost as well as water. However, we only consider replenishing water. Naturally, water in the blood enters salt filled cells causing them to burst. Those with a sodium deficiency may experience severe muscle spasms and cramps. They may also become disoriented, nauseous, and their motor skills are disturbed. The brain and lungs swell within their small cavities causing victims of hyponatremia to endure respiratory distress, seizures, coma, and in worst cases, death.
Nevertheless, this is not an endorsement to increase salt intake. Too much salt in your diet can cause the body to retain water. This can put excessive stress on arteries leading to high blood pressure. Instead, trade in the French fries for lightly salted vegetables. Like all things in the natural world, our bodies rely on moderation and healthy balance.
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Allaby, Michael. "water requirements of people." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <" target=_blankhttp://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=DWDRE0026&SingleRecord=True>.
Hine, Robert. "cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=FDBF0514&SingleRecord=True. />
Jr., Cleveland, Larry Roberts, Allan Larson, Helen l"Anson, and David
Eisenhour. Integrated Principles of Zoology. 13. Bodyon: McGraw Hill, 2006. 789 - 90. Print.
McDowell, Julie. "metals and our bodies and health." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 21 Sept. 2010. <" target=_blankhttp://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=ECML0007&SingleRecord=True>;.
Rushton, Lynette. "hormones and the maintenance of mineral balance and blood pressure." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=YBES0008&SingleRecord=True. />
Courtesy Wikipedia
In our overindulgent culture salt has gotten a bad rap. Food companies often tout low sodium alternatives.. For all the anti-salt campaigns, it’s a surprising fact to most that salt is a necessity like water and air. Salt aids in the transmission of electrical impulses between nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid , which consists of salt, encompasses the entire nervous system absorbing shock-waves and protecting tissue.
Salt also maintains fluid levels in the body. It is such a vital ingredient that our kidneys have evolved to retain it, unlike our marine counterparts which have adapted to a salt rich environment. Let’s think back to two important terms from high school biology: diffusion and osmosis. Diffusion is the movement of a material, in this case salt, from a higher concentration to a lower concentration, and osmosis is a term for the diffusion of water. The end purpose of diffusion and osmosis is to maintain a balance of the levels of salt and water in the cells and bloodstream. This balance can only occur because of the fact that water moves in the same direction as salt. So say you were stranded on a proverbial desert island, consumption of marine water would lead to dehydration because your body would excrete excess water while retaining salt. Cells all over the body will begin to shrink affecting numerous functions.
At the same time low sodium levels, or hyponatremia , can become fatal. In most instances, hyponatremia usually occurs after a person has engaged in brisk exercise. When we sweat, salt is lost as well as water. However, we only consider replenishing water. Naturally, water in the blood enters salt filled cells causing them to burst. Those with a sodium deficiency may experience severe muscle spasms and cramps. They may also become disoriented, nauseous, and their motor skills are disturbed. The brain and lungs swell within their small cavities causing victims of hyponatremia to endure respiratory distress, seizures, coma, and in worst cases, death.
Nevertheless, this is not an endorsement to increase salt intake. Too much salt in your diet can cause the body to retain water. This can put excessive stress on arteries leading to high blood pressure. Instead, trade in the French fries for lightly salted vegetables. Like all things in the natural world, our bodies rely on moderation and healthy balance.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allaby, Michael. "water requirements of people." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <" target=_blankhttp://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=DWDRE0026&SingleRecord=True>.
Hine, Robert. "cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=FDBF0514&SingleRecord=True.
Eisenhour. Integrated Principles of Zoology. 13. Bodyon: McGraw Hill, 2006. 789 - 90. Print.
McDowell, Julie. "metals and our bodies and health." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 21 Sept. 2010. <" target=_blankhttp://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=ECML0007&SingleRecord=True>;.
Rushton, Lynette. "hormones and the maintenance of mineral balance and blood pressure." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=YBES0008&SingleRecord=True.
Posted by Urban Growth KC at 9/22/2010 9:18 AM 
Categories: Informative
Tags: sodium why we need salt salt CFS electrical impulses
Categories: Informative
Tags: sodium why we need salt salt CFS electrical impulses
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