Everything You Need To Know About Sodium and Your Hair Analysis Part One

In talking with people over the years it is very clear that there is a great deal of mis-information about salt.  From hero to villian it seems there is no consensus about whether it is good or bad for us.  I like to look at it from the perspective of what would our ancestors have done with respect to salt intake, and from this perspective salt is not a bad thing in and of itself.  Where we run into problems is with the packaged and processed foods which we all know we should not be eating anyways.  Please keep reading for a practical explanation of why you require sodium, what it's for and how a hair tissue analysis can help assess its balance.  

Sodium is the solubility and volatility mineral. It is found mainly outside the cells or extracellularly. Although sodium does not participate in a single enzyme in the body, it is the body's great solvent, meaning it dissolves many chemicals. It is also a major regulator of the fluid balance, pH and other fluid-related aspects of the body. These are its major functions.

The great solvent.

Sodium is a monovalent element, meaning it has one free electron. It dissolves many compounds made of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and other minerals.

The great alkalizer.

Sodium is a very alkaline-forming element. It is used to help maintain an alkaline medium for nutrient exchange in the blood and the interstitial fluid.

Sodium and the adrenals.

Sodium is regulated primarily by the adrenal glands. High sodium is associated with excessive adrenal activity. Low hair tissue sodium is associated with adrenal weakness, fatigue and burnout.

Sodium, the electrical conductor.

Sodium is one of the finest conductors of electricity.  The body is an electrochemical factory. Sodium represents one pole of the human "battery" Sodium is outside of the cells while the other pole of the battery is potassium inside the cells. This can become complex. However, it can be summarized by stating that when the hair sodium/potassium ratio is normal or a little high, the electrical potential across the cell membranes are higher. When the ratio is low, an electrical discharge is occurring and the potential tends to be lower. This is why the hair sodium/potassium ratio is called the vitality ratio and so many illnesses are associated with a low sodium/potassium ratio. It can also help one understand why inflammation and an acute stress response are associated with an elevated sodium/potassium ratio.

Sodium, the great regulator.

Sodium also regulates the pH to some degree, blood and other fluid viscosity, CO2 transport, and the solubility of proteins and organic acids in the body. It influences stomach acid levels, blood pressure and even blood sugar through its effect on the adrenal glands. Its effects on cell membranes include the regulation of membrane permeability to a degree, sodium pump action, neuromuscular irritability and the speed and quality of nerve impulse conduction. Sodium also indirectly regulates parts of the brain, including the pituitary gland. It also directly and indirectly regulates thyroid, pancreas and other glandular activity

Sodium and sweating.

The body conserves sodium superbly. For example, if one sweats regularly, as occurs with sauna therapy, the sodium content of the sweat begins to decrease as the body acclimates to sweating. This is a survival mechanism that works well for those, for example, who do physical work and sweat often.