Sodium: A Life Supporting Element

Sodium (Na - chemical element 1) essential mineral, life supporting element, and important electrolyte (Molecules in the human body are either positive or negative ions. Sodium is one of many positive electrolyte ions in the human body. When one or more ion concentration changes: Chronic disease or serious consequences. 2) in the human body, first discovered and isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy. (17, 3) Human body derives sodium from three natural sources: Water, plants (plants take sodium from water) and animals (animals ingest plants). Also, sodium is added to water and food in several ways: Household water softening purification systems exchange calcium ions for sodium ions, public water purification and bacterial control systems add sodium hypochlorite and municipalities use method of lime - soda method, soften water supplies requiring additional sodium compounds such as sodium carbonate. 6