Biology-draft
Salt intake and risk of heart disease
Sodium is the major positive ion in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body functions. Many processes in the body, especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals for communication. The movement of sodium is critical in generation of these electrical signals. Sodium as an electrolyte is important for the human body. But Too much or too little sodium therefore can cause cells to malfunction, and extremes in the blood sodium levels (too much or too little) can be fatal. Too much of sodium This report will investigate the possibilities of a person acquiring a heart disease due to sodium content in his diet.
What are some of the possible complications of hypertension? What organs of the body are involved in the hypertensive individual? These are the questions that will be answered here.
The heart is affected by hypertension because it has to work harder to pump blood. If hypertension is left untreated, it may lead to heart disease. Increased pressure in the kidneys destroys their tiny arteries. If damaged, the kidneys may not be able to do their job of filtering out waste products and re-absorbing the beneficial substances from the blood. Hypertension damages the blood vessels in the brain that may lead to stroke.
Although these organs are able to withstand increased pressure for long periods of time without manifesting any symptoms; that doesn’t mean that your organs are not suffering. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors in heart disease and kidney failure according to medical researchers. You could be a walking time bomb if you have hypertension.
Doesn’t the body need salt? Yes, but the average American consumes approximately ten grams (one-third of an ounce) of sodium daily. That’s ten times more salt than needed. The body needs many mineral salts, one of which is sodium chloride. However, your body gets sufficient salt by eating natural, unprocessed foods: fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and unprocessed whole grains. Incidentally, there is virtually no difference between table salt and sea salt when it comes to the negative effects salt exerts on the body.
The most recent recommendation by medical experts regarding sodium intake is that anyone with a family history of hypertension should consume less than one gram (1,000 mg.) of salt (sodium) daily. This means more than simply not cooking with salt and not adding salt to your food. It means watching foods high in sodium. (See Foods Extremely High in Sodium List below)
