Why is excess salt not good for health?

Author- Dr Aakash Bansal

Electrolyte balance is maintained between intracellular and extracellular compartments to maintain normal physiological functions of nerves and muscles. The kidney plays a significant role in maintaining these levels but other mechanisms like the hormonal activities of aldosterone, parathyroid hormones, and antidiuretic hormones are also involved in maintaining the balance.

Any imbalance that occurs because of any of these systems results in emergencies and some of the common electrolyte imbalances are discussed here in detail,

Sodium (135 – 145 mmol/L)

It is important in the body to maintain fluid balance and helps to regulate normal nerve functioning and muscle contraction.

• Hypernatremia - Too much sodium in the blood because of

  • Increased intake of salt
  • Dehydration in case of vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Inadequate water consumption
  • Medications like corticosteroids

• Hyponatremia – too little sodium because of

  • Alcohol use
  • Overhydration
  • Poor nutrition
  • Liver, heart, or kidney failure
  • Medications like diuretics
  • Dehydration because of sweating or burns

Calcium (8.8 – 10.7 mg/dl)

It helps to stabilize blood pressure and control skeletal muscle contraction. Also helps to strengthen bones and teeth, secretion of hormones, and blood clotting.

• Hypercalcemia – Too much calcium in the blood, caused by

  • Kidney disorders
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Overdose of calcium or Vit D supplements
  • Lung diseases such as tuberculosis

• Hypocalcaemia – lack of adequate calcium in the blood, caused by

  • Kidney failure
  • Vit D deficiency
  • Pancreatitis
  • Malabsorption

Magnesium (1.46 to 2.68 mg/dl)

Helps to regulate many critical functions in the body like ATP metabolism, muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and nerve function.

• Hypermagnesemia __

  • Addison’s disease
  • End-stage kidney disease

• Hypomagnesemia __

  • Alcohol
  • Malnutrition
  • Malabsorption
  • Chronic diarrhoea
  • Dehydration

Potassium (3.6 – 5.5 mmol/L)

The Na-K ATP pump has the responsibility to regulate the balance between sodium and potassium. It helps to regulate heart functions and maintain impulse transmission through nerves and muscles.

• Hyperkalemia –can be fatal if left untreated

  • Severe dehydration
  • Kidney failure
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Medications like diuretics

• Hypokalaemia __

  • Eating disorder
  • Dehydration
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea

Phosphate (3.4 – 4.5 mg/dl)

Plays an important role in metabolic pathways and is a component of many metabolic intermediates and most importantly ATP.

• Hyperphosphatemia __

  • Low calcium levels
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Excessive use of phosphate-containing laxatives
  • Underactive parathyroid glands

• Hypophosphatemia __

  • Malnutrition
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Starvation
  • Vit D deficiency
  • Severe burns

Reason to get the tests done,

• As a part of routine blood test
• For in-patients and ICU patients, doctors monitor serum electrolytes often as that can be affected by medications, therapy, fluid loss, illness
• Any underlying disorder that can cause electrolyte imbalance – malnutrition, kidney disorders, GI disorders, acid-base imbalance
• Cardiac arrest
• Use of diuretics or any medication that can interfere with electrolyte imbalance

To prevent electrolyte disorder, stay hydrated if experiencing prolonged vomiting, or diarrhoea, and do visit a doctor if experiencing common symptoms of an electrolyte disorder.

Reference list

• Balci, A.K. (2013). General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department. World Journal of Emergency Medicine, [online] 4(2), p.113.
• Isha Shrimanker and Sandeep Bhattarai (2019). Electrolytes. [online] Nih.gov.
• Susan York Morris (2018). How to Prevent an Electrolyte Imbalance. [online] Healthline.