Sodium chloride and potassium are minerals that provide a number of functions to the human body. Both are found in food and can be consumed with a balanced diet. Sodium chloride, or table salt, is commonly used to provide flavor to food. Potassium is commonly found in fruits and vegetables. According to exercise scientists Jack Wilmore and David Costill, sodium chloride and potassium are often interrelated and combine to regulate several bodily functions.
Fluid Balance
Sodium chloride and potassium circulate throughout all bodily fluids and tissues. Potassium is located within the cell while sodium and chloride are found outside in blood and plasma. According to Wilmore and Costill, sodium chloride and potassium assist with maintaining osmotic pressure. Further, these minerals can act as a buffer to maintain normal acid-base levels.
Nerve and Muscle Function
These minerals combine to regulate neural impulses and control muscle activity, Wilmore and Costill report. Both potassium and sodium chloride are involved in generating electrical impulses in muscles and nerves and help with the cellular uptake of nutrients Wilmore and Costill report that deficiency in these minerals can lead to muscle weakness.
Cardiac Function
Medical News Today reports that sodium chloride and potassium also help regulate normal heart function. The heart is a large muscle that continually beats. During this process, potassium is pumped into the cell from surrounding fluid, while sodium is pumped out. Therefore a balance of potassium and sodium is needed to maintain normal heart rhythm. An imbalance, such as too much sodium, can lead to high blood pressure and strokes, Medical News Today says.
References
- "Physiology of Sports and Exercise"; Jack H. Wilmore and David L. Costill; 2004
- "Essentials of Personal Training"; Roger W. Earle and Thomas R. Baechle, (eds.); 2004
- Medical News Today: Salt, What It Is and How It Affects Your Health
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