Sodium and potassium are electrolytes, substances that conduct electricity in the body. Electrolytes affect the amount of water in your body, as well as the pH levels of your blood, and other important bodily functions. It is important to keep a healthy balance of potassium and sodium, because a surplus or shortage of either mineral can be extremely dangerous.
Potassium
Potassium benefits the function of your cells, tissues and organs. It also promotes proper function of the heart, as well as contraction of skeletal and smooth muscles and digestive function. Potassium may also be important for bone health and blood pressure regulation.
Potassium Balance
Too little potassium, known as hypokalemia, can cause weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation and abnormal heart rhythms. Hypokalemia may be the result of diarrhea, certain diuretics, eating disorders, kidney failure and vomiting. In rare cases, a lack of potassium in your diet can cause hypokalemia.
Having too much potassium in your blood, known as hyperkalemia, can be dangerous, even fatal. Hyperkalemia can cause muscle fatigue, weakness, nausea, paralysis and abnormal heart rhythm. Hyperkalemia is most commonly caused by kidney failure, but may also be the result of Addison's disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and Type 1 diabetes.
A normal blood potassium level is 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, according to the Mayo Clinic. Having a blood potassium level higher than 6.0 mEq/L or lower than 2.5 mEq/L can be extremely dangerous.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia, or an abnormally low sodium level, is common in older people. Drinking too much water, urinating less frequently, changes in kidneys, certain medications, vomiting, diarrhea and other conditions can cause hyponatremia. Symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea, headache, confusion, restlessness, drowsiness, loss of consciousness or coma. To treat hyponatremia, you may need to change medications, drink less water or consume more salt.
High Sodium
Though not getting enough sodium can be dangerous, consuming too much sodium is a more common problem. A proper amount of sodium is important for the balance of bodily fluids, transmitting of nerve impulses and influence on the contraction and relaxation of muscles, but eating too much sodium can increase the volume of your blood, making your heart work harder to circulate blood through your vessels. This can increase pressure on your arteries.
High sodium can eventually lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. You should not exceed 2,300 mg of sodium per day, but some people need to consume even less, depending on certain risk factors.
Dietary Sources
Sodium is found naturally in meat, shellfish, dairy products and certain vegetables, such as celery. Though these foods do not contain a large amount of sodium, they do contain enough to add to your sodium levels. Many processed and prepared foods are high in salt, which is a combination of sodium and chloride, and other sodium-containing additives.
Potassium is found in bananas, citrus juices, avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, various types of fish, chicken and other meats.
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