Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Vitamin and Minerals

Sodium

Functions

Sodium is the principal cation in the extracellular fluid and is the primary regulator of its volume. Sodium also helps maintain acid-base balance and is essential to nerve transmission and muscle contraction.

Recommended Intakes

Table: Recommended Intakes for Sodium (mg/day)

Food Sources

Food generally provides more sodium than the body needs. The kidneys regulate the blood sodium levels.

Significant sources of sodium include table salt and soy sauce. Moderate amounts are present in meats, milks, and breads. Large amounts are often present in processed foods. In general, processed foods contain the most sodium and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables the least. Around 75% of salt in the diet comes from salt added to foods by manufacturers.

Deficiency

Overly strict, low-sodium diets can deplete the body's sodium. Vomiting, diarrhoea and heavy sweating can also deplete sodium.

Toxicity

Acute sodium toxicity results in oedema and hypertension. This type of toxicity is not a problem as long as water needs are met.

Prolonged excessive intake of sodium may be related to the development of hypertension in sensitive people.