Sodium is one of the important electrolytes. Sodium is an important constituent of fluids present within the cells and outside of the cells in our body. Sodium plays a vital role in maintaining levels of water and other substances in the body. Proper concentrationof sodium is essential to maintain osmotic balance (the control of water and electrolyte balance in the body). The kidney and adrenal glands are responsible for maintaining the sodium level in the blood. Functions• It regulates acid-base balance• It helps in the maintenance of normal osmotic pressure• It helps in water balance and cell permeability• It helps in normal muscle contractions• It facilitates the absorption of sugar and amino acidsSourceThe main food source of sodium is common salt which is readily available in the market in the form of sodium chloride. Salt is also used as a preservative in various foodstuffs. Some common compounds used in food preparations include baking soda, baking powder, monosodium Glutamate (Ajinomoto) etc.It is also present in all the foods and vegetables which can be called invisible sodium. Most of the sodium is present in animal foods such as milk and meats. Most of the plant foods, with few exceptions, are low in sodium.Too little sodiumThe normal blood sodium level is 136-145 meq/ L. If it is more than 145 meq/L, it is called hypernatremia and if it is less than 136 meq/L it is called hyponatremia.Hypernatremia is a condition that is caused as a result of too much water loss or insufficient fluid intake by the body. Common causes for hypernatremia are dehydration, kidney disease, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. Increasing fluid intake will be the solution to reduce increased blood sodium levels.Too much sodiumHyponatremia is caused mainly due to excess water in the body. The common causes of hyponatremia are disease-specific like severe congestive cardiac failure, liver failure, nephrotic syndrome, acute or chronic kidney disease. Some examples of hyponatremia include external losses of fluids like vomiting, diarrhoea and burns. Addison's disease and hypothyroidism are some of the clinical conditions for hyponatremia. Symptoms of hyponatremia include lethargy, fatigue, confusion, nausea, restlessness.For mild to moderate hyponatremia sodium levels may increase by drinking less water and including extra salt in the diet by considering the medical condition. For severe hyponatremia, hospitalisation is required and intravenous sodium is also required.Recommended Dietary AllowanceAccording to the Indian Council of Medical Research (CMR), NIN -2020 guidelines, the recommended dietary allowance for Indians is 2000 mg/day sodium which is measured as 5 g of salt per day.Sodium intake has increased with the increased amount of processed foods, ready to eat foods, ready to cook foods, fast foods like pizza, burgers, ready-made chips, pickles, papad, salty biscuits etc.It is advisable to restrict the sodium intake by reading the nutrition Labels of the packaged foods.The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) has conducted a large nutrition survey in urban areas in 2016 in 16 states in India. In this study, the24-hour dietary recall of salt intake was collected from 13,000 household adults. The saltconsumption in rural areas was assessed by NNMB in 2011 and 2012. Salt intake in rural areas was below the recommended level in both the genders in adults whereas in the urban adult population the salt intake was much higher than the recommendedlevel.NNMB concluded that the median sodium intake is higher than the recommended level by WHO(2000 mg) in the urban adult population (18-60 years) and much lower in the rural adult population.Age group Adequate Intake of Salt0 to 6 months 110 mg/day7 to 12 months 370 mg/day1 to 3 years 800 mg/day4 to 8 years 1000 mg/day9 to 13 years 1200 mg/day14 to 18 years 1500 mg/day> 19 years 1500 mg/day
Sodium is one of the important electrolytes. Sodium is an important constituent of fluids present within the cells and outside of the cells in our body. Sodium plays a vital role in maintaining levels of water and other substances in the body. Proper concentrationof sodium is essential to maintain osmotic balance (the control of water and electrolyte balance in the body). The kidney and adrenal glands are responsible for maintaining the sodium level in the blood. Functions• It regulates acid-base balance• It helps in the maintenance of normal osmotic pressure• It helps in water balance and cell permeability• It helps in normal muscle contractions• It facilitates the absorption of sugar and amino acidsSourceThe main food source of sodium is common salt which is readily available in the market in the form of sodium chloride. Salt is also used as a preservative in various foodstuffs. Some common compounds used in food preparations include baking soda, baking powder, monosodium Glutamate (Ajinomoto) etc.It is also present in all the foods and vegetables which can be called invisible sodium. Most of the sodium is present in animal foods such as milk and meats. Most of the plant foods, with few exceptions, are low in sodium.Too little sodiumThe normal blood sodium level is 136-145 meq/ L. If it is more than 145 meq/L, it is called hypernatremia and if it is less than 136 meq/L it is called hyponatremia.Hypernatremia is a condition that is caused as a result of too much water loss or insufficient fluid intake by the body. Common causes for hypernatremia are dehydration, kidney disease, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. Increasing fluid intake will be the solution to reduce increased blood sodium levels.Too much sodiumHyponatremia is caused mainly due to excess water in the body. The common causes of hyponatremia are disease-specific like severe congestive cardiac failure, liver failure, nephrotic syndrome, acute or chronic kidney disease. Some examples of hyponatremia include external losses of fluids like vomiting, diarrhoea and burns. Addison's disease and hypothyroidism are some of the clinical conditions for hyponatremia. Symptoms of hyponatremia include lethargy, fatigue, confusion, nausea, restlessness.For mild to moderate hyponatremia sodium levels may increase by drinking less water and including extra salt in the diet by considering the medical condition. For severe hyponatremia, hospitalisation is required and intravenous sodium is also required.Recommended Dietary AllowanceAccording to the Indian Council of Medical Research (CMR), NIN -2020 guidelines, the recommended dietary allowance for Indians is 2000 mg/day sodium which is measured as 5 g of salt per day.Sodium intake has increased with the increased amount of processed foods, ready to eat foods, ready to cook foods, fast foods like pizza, burgers, ready-made chips, pickles, papad, salty biscuits etc.It is advisable to restrict the sodium intake by reading the nutrition Labels of the packaged foods.The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) has conducted a large nutrition survey in urban areas in 2016 in 16 states in India. In this study, the24-hour dietary recall of salt intake was collected from 13,000 household adults. The saltconsumption in rural areas was assessed by NNMB in 2011 and 2012. Salt intake in rural areas was below the recommended level in both the genders in adults whereas in the urban adult population the salt intake was much higher than the recommendedlevel.NNMB concluded that the median sodium intake is higher than the recommended level by WHO(2000 mg) in the urban adult population (18-60 years) and much lower in the rural adult population.Age group Adequate Intake of Salt0 to 6 months 110 mg/day7 to 12 months 370 mg/day1 to 3 years 800 mg/day4 to 8 years 1000 mg/day9 to 13 years 1200 mg/day14 to 18 years 1500 mg/day> 19 years 1500 mg/day
