13: Electrolyte Micronutrients
- Page ID
- 41009
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)In this chapter, electrolytes will be explained before learning more about the 4 electrolyte micronutrients. As a general rule, deficiency and toxicity of these the electrolyte micronutrients are rare, so they are presented in a single subsection rather than multiple subsections like most of the micronutrients that you have learned about. Then, hypertension will be discussed, along with the impact of these micronutrients on the condition.
- 13.1: Electrolytes
- This page discusses electrolytes, which are water-soluble compounds that break into cations and anions. It highlights key intracellular electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, and extracellular ones such as sodium and chloride. The body maintains fluid balance, comprising about 60% water, with the distribution among intracellular, interstitial, and plasma fluids. Electrolytes and proteins are essential for maintaining this balance.
- 13.2: Sodium
- This page discusses the importance of sodium in fluid balance, nutrient absorption, and muscle/nerve function. It highlights how sodium is primarily consumed through salt and absorbed in the intestines, while hormonal responses regulate its levels. Deficiency is rare but can lead to health issues like hyponatremia and potentially osteoporosis. Conversely, excessive sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure and increased risks for kidney stones and osteoporosis due to calcium excretion.
- 13.3: Chloride
- This page discusses the importance of chloride, a key extracellular anion derived mostly from salt, highlighting its roles in nerve function, acid production, immune response, and acid-base balance. Although deficiencies are uncommon, they can occur due to severe diarrhea or vomiting, leading to weakness and lethargy. While chloride is generally safe and efficiently excreted, monitoring intake is advised to prevent possible blood pressure increases.
- 13.4: Potassium
- This page discusses potassium, the primary intracellular cation essential for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. It highlights its high absorption from foods like beans and bananas, its effects on calcium excretion, and notes that deficiency and toxicity are rare. Additionally, it mentions the FDA's consideration of renaming potassium chloride as a healthier alternative to sodium chloride.
- 13.5: Magnesium
- This page discusses the importance of magnesium, an electrolyte vital for over 300 enzymatic processes like glycolysis and muscle contraction. Key sources are green leafy vegetables and whole grains. Although rare, magnesium deficiency can arise from severe gastrointestinal issues, leading to symptoms like irregular heartbeat and seizures. While toxicity from excessive magnesium intake is uncommon, it can cause nausea and weakness.
- 13.6: Hypertension, Salt-Sensitivity and the DASH Diet
- This page highlights that 29% of American adults have hypertension, with sodium intake being a contributing factor. Roughly 50% of hypertensive individuals and 25% with normal blood pressure are salt-sensitive, complicating public health recommendations due to the lack of a simple identification method. The DASH diet can effectively lower blood pressure but is not widely adopted, and adherence has declined between 1988-2004.