Countless chemical reactions control how the body functions. Electrochemical activity regulates some of the most basic processes of nerve impulse transmissions and muscle contractions. Electrolytes provide the raw materials necessary for these reactions to occur. Efficient metabolizing of electrolytes is necessary for a healthy body.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are chemicals that can conduct an electrical current when dissolved in solution. Electrolytes important to human body function include sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Metabolism breaks down the foods you eat, releasing electrolytes. In order for the body to function properly, it must maintain homeostasis or metabolic equilibrium in the body. As the International Biopharmaceutical Association points out, a change in sodium of as little as 1 percent can have serious and potentially life-threatening health consequences.
Dietary Sources
Salts in the foods you eat provide the chemical source for electrolytes. Chemically, a salt results from from the reaction of an acid with a base. Common salts you may consume include sodium chloride or table salt and phosphate, a compound of phosphorus and oxygen. The latter is found in dairy foods and most meats. Potassium, another essential electrolyte, is found in many fruits and vegetables including potatoes, spinach and tomatoes.
Electrolyte Control
The body devotes a substantial amount of energy toward maintaining homeostasis. Up to 40 percent of the calories you burn while at rest maintain the concentrations of sodium and potassium both within and outside of the cells. Several mechanisms in the body control electrolytes. The renin-angiotensin system includes a complex collection of reactions involving the circulatory, endocrine and excretory systems. The concentration of electrolytes is influenced by water. When blood volume is low due to water loss, it initiates a string of reactions that causes the kidneys to reabsorb water and sodium.
Problems Associated with Electrolyte Metabolism
Some individuals may be oversensitive to the effects of salt, a common source of electrolytes. This sensitivity may adversely affect blood pressure and protein metabolism. It can also impact the renin-angiotensin system, resulting in greater fluid and sodium retention. A 1998 study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine looked at the mechanism behind these effects. Overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system may inhibit blood vessels from dilating, resulting in higher blood pressure. This can in turn, increase the risk for kidney damage, detected by excess protein in the urine. It can also increase your risk of heart disease. The role of electrolytes shows the delicate balance the body must maintain for proper functioning.
References
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; G. Tortora et al; 2005
- International Biopharmaceutical Association; Sodium Metabolism; April 9, 2005
- Linus Pauling Institute; Sodium; Victoria J. Drake; November 2008
- "Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride"; Institute of Medicine; 1997
- "Mineral and Electrolyte Metabolism"; Impact of Salt Intake on Blood Pressure and Proteinuria in Diabetes: Importance of the Renin-Angiotensin System; M. Weir; 1998
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