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Sodium along with chloride makes up one of the three main electrolytes in the body and without it your body will cease to function. Sodium and chloride are the main ions in fluids outside the cells and that includes blood plasma. Sodium plays a role in the absorption of glucose, chloride, amino acids and water. Sodium and chloride are known as salt and this salt is important in regulating your blood pressure and blood volume in addition to everything mentioned previously.

It’s very hard to create a sodium deficiency with your diet. Low sodium diets usually have adequate levels of sodium in them. We lose sodium when we sweat and urinate and that’s partly how our body regulates the sodium levels in us. If you don’t stay adequately hydrated during heat and exercise, you may experience heat exhaustion, nausea and muscle cramps because of your body’s inability to regulate the fluid levels properly.

Too much salt is toxic to your body.

Some of the problems too much salt can cause are:

• Excess water retention.
• Stomach problems.
• Osteoporosis.
• Kidney stones.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• A reduction in potassium as mentioned in the article titled Low Potassium Levels Can Kill You.

Natural sources of sodium are carrots, kelp, and salt water shellfish. Many people in the western hemisphere often consume 5 to 10 times more salt than we need because most processed foods are preserved with salt. Your favorite soda may be adding to your daily salt intake.

You can reduce your salt intake by eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned whenever possible, by not adding salt to food while it’s cooking and by using alternative spices to enhance the flavor if necessary.

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Ask Dr. Wayne Garland a specialist in natural remedies and natural products.