Sodium Chloride & Potassium

Sodium chloride and potassium represent two chemicals essential for life as well as industrial uses. Both substances function in chemical reactions, providing the building blocks for other products. These chemicals occur naturally in the environment.

Chemical Structure

Sodium chloride and potassium differ in their chemical structure. Sodium chloride is a compound composed of one ion of sodium and one of chloride. Ions are charged particles. Sodium carries a positive charge. Chloride carries a negative charge due to the addition of an electron or a negatively charged particle. Potassium, on the other hand, is an element. It is a substance at its most basic chemical level. Like sodium, potassium is positively charged.

Benefits

Both sodium chloride and potassium serve important functions in the human body. Both of these chemicals exist at the cellular level. Sodium chloride is found in the fluid surrounding cells, including blood plasma. Potassium exists within the cells. Sodium plays a significant role in digestion in the small intestine, whereas chloride acts within the stomach. Sodium chloride has an additional function with blood pressure and volume.

Sodium Chloride Effects

Sodium chloride and potassium are essential for proper body function. However, too much or too little intake of each of these chemicals can pose risks. Low sodium chloride levels can cause a medical condition called hyponatremia, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Hyponatremia sets off a cascading effect of health conditions beginning with fluid retention, then further loss of sodium through excretion. Too much sodium chloride can cause high blood pressure, warns the American Heart Association.

Potassium Effects

Potassium supports healthy nerve function in the human body. A deficiency can affect muscular activity, causing muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms, warns the Mayo Clinic. High levels of potassium cause similar systems, showing the delicate balance between proper and improper intake. Both conditions are life-threatening.

Other Uses

The importance of sodium chloride and potassium extend beyond their role in bodily functions. Sodium chloride functions as a component of several industrial chemical processes. It is used for the production of pesticides, fire extinguishers as well as the familiar road salt. Potassium is equally as important. The British Columbia Institute of Technology explains that potassium has widespread uses as part of chemical compounds. These applications include manufacture of soaps, photographic films, fertilizers and other uses.