Sodium is one of seven essential macrominerals. Sodium has gotten a bad rap in our society because of the sodium chloride used in white table salt. The sodium we are discussing is very beneficial and extremely necessary for our bodies to function well.
Sodium from food and herbal sources help calcium keep your body strong and flexible. It is called the "Youth Element" for this very reason.
Sodium and potassium work closely together. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure while high potassium intake relaxes arterial walls, helps the body excrete the sodium, thereby lowering the blood pressure. The body needs a lot more potassium than sodium.

Benefits
Keeps calcium and magnesium balanced
Keeps us youthful
Conducts nerve impulses
Contracts and relaxes muscles
Maintains proper balance of water and minerals
Aids in production of HCI or hydrochloric acid (stomach acid used to breakdown food)
Helps maintain a normal metabolism
Works on a cellular level
Signs of Deficiency (hyponatremia)
Nervousness
Low blood sugar
Joint pain and swelling
Digestive problems
Excessive vomiting
Excessive diarrhea
Excessive sweating
Altered mental state/confusion
Fatigue
Seizures
Muscle degeneration
Abdominal cramps
Depression
Dizziness
Hallucinations
Headache
Heart palpitations
Poor coordination
Recurrent infections
Signs of Excess (hypernatremia)
Swelling in extremities
High blood pressure
Potassium deficiency
Liver disorders
Nausea/vomiting
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Intense thirst
Confusion
Kidney damage
Food Sources
Nearly all foods contain a small amount of sodium
Carrot
Radish
Bell pepper
Tomato
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cucumber
Apple
Avocados
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Bananas
Herbal Sources
Dandelion
Resources
Salt and sodium. (2020, October 19). Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/#:~:text=It%20flavors%20food%20and%20is,balance%20of%20water%20and%20minerals.
Wagester, J. (2014, September 23). Touch your toes in 30 days. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://naturopathiccommunitycenter.org/touch-toes-30-days/#:~:text=Sodium%20is%20considered%20the%20%E2%80%9Cyouth,Sulfur%20the%20%E2%80%9Carthritis%E2%80%9D%20element.&text=Sodium%20obtained%20from%20celery%2C%20dandelion,up%20of%20unusable%20sodium%20chloride.
Hovis, B. S., ND, MH, CCII. (n.d.). Nutrition-Vitamins & Minerals. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://trinityschool.instructure.com/courses/499/pages/week-1-lecture-3-vitamins-and-minerals
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