Sodium is a major mineral and an electrolyte. Electrolytes regulate body fluids in and out of every cell, and they transmit nerve, or electrical impulses. Minerals are constituents of the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells. They are vital to overall mental and physical well being. Unlike vitamins, minerals are organic. Heat or other food handling processes can't destroy minerals.

There is no RDA for sodium. However, for adults, the minimum amount considered safe is 500 milligrams daily for healthy adults, which is much less than most people consume. The Daily Value used for sodium labeling is 2,400 milligrams of sodium.

• Helps regulate blood pressure and water balance in cells
• Helps maintain acid-base balance
• Aids in muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission

Deficiency is rarely caused by inadequate dietary intake (usually caused by vomiting or diarrhea)

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Shock

• Fluid retention and swelling
• High blood pressure in salt sensitive people

Table salt (sodium chloride), soy sauce, lite soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, processed foods, cottage cheese, bacon, tomato juice, hot dog, V-8 juice, pretzels, processed cheese, ham, canned vegetables, canned foods, luncheon meats, smoked and cured meats, snack chips.