Sodium (Na+)
Sodium (Na+) is a vital electrolyte that is essential for life and is the most abundant positively charged ion found in the fluid outside of the body's cells (extracellular fluid).
The concentration of sodium in the blood is tightly controlled by the body, as even small fluctuations can severely impact the nervous system and overall cellular function.
Sodium works closely with potassium to manage the electrical and fluid balance across the cell membranes:
- Fluid and Volume Balance: Sodium is the main factor determining the amount of water in the blood plasma and surrounding tissues. It plays the principal role in maintaining the body's total fluid volume and, therefore, blood pressure.
- Nerve and Muscle Signaling: Sodium is critical for generating the electrical impulses (action potentials) required for nerve signaling and muscle contraction.
- Nutrient Transport: It is involved in transporting necessary nutrients (like glucose and amino acids) across cell membranes.
