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Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) and is used in food for both preservation and flavor. Sodium ions are needed in small quantities by most living things, as are chlorine ions. Salt is involved in regulating the water content (fluid balance) of the body. Both sodium and chlorine ions are used for electrical signaling ...
Sodium is reabsorbed in the thick ascending limb of loop of Henle, by Na-K-2Cl symporter and Na-H antiporter.It goes against its chemical driving force, but the high electrical driving force renders the overall electrochemical driving force positive anyway, availing some sodium to diffuse passively either the transcellular or paracellular way.
The human body has evolved to compensate for high salt intake through regulatory systems such as the renin–angiotensin system. Salt is particularly involved with maintaining body fluid volume, including the regulation of osmotic balance in the blood, extracellular and intracellular fluids, and resting membrane potential.
A low sodium diet has a useful effect to reduce blood pressure, both in people with hypertension and in people with normal blood pressure. [7] Taken together, a low salt diet (median of approximately 4.4 g/day – approx 1800 mg sodium) in hypertensive people resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 4.2 mmHg, and in diastolic blood pressure by 2.1 mmHg.
This illustration demonstrates the normal kidney physiology, including the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT), Loop of Henle, and Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT). It also includes illustrations showing where some types of diuretics act, and what they do. Renal physiology (Latin renes, "kidneys") is the study of the physiology of the kidney.
The name mineralocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in the retention of sodium, a mineral.The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, although a number of other endogenous hormones (including progesterone [1] and deoxycorticosterone) have mineralocorticoid function.
If a person has high total body water (such as due to heart failure or kidney disease) they may be placed on fluid restriction, salt restriction, and treated with a diuretic. [3] If a person has a normal volume of total body water, they may be placed on fluid restriction alone.
The sodium–potassium pump, a critical enzyme for regulating sodium and potassium levels in cells. Sodium ions (Na +) are necessary in small amounts for some types of plants, [1] but sodium as a nutrient is more generally needed in larger amounts [1] by animals, due to their use of it for generation of nerve impulses and for maintenance of electrolyte balance and fluid balance.