Why we need this substance, and why we usually get too much
Sodium
Sodium is a macromineral that is present in all of the body's cells as well as in the blood and other body fluids. Approximately 60 percent of the body's sodium content is contained in extracellular (outside the cells) fluids, with 10 percent found inside the cells, and the remainder occurring in the bones. Like potassium, sodium helps maintain the body's fluid balance within and outside of cells, thereby regulating the body's acid-base balance. It also helps transport carbon dioxide, and plays a role in muscle contraction as well as nerve signal transmission. In addition, sodium is involved in the production of hydrochloric acid, and helps transport amino acids. Nearly all foods contain some degree of sodium, with seafood, beef, and poultry containing particularly high amounts.
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