Sodium is a chemical element that has the symbol of Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft and silvery type of element that can be very reactive. It is an alkaline metal belonging to group 1 with only one isotope that is stable. It reacts quickly to air and oxidizes. On earth, it is abundant and commonly found in compounds such as sodium chloride. It is found in minerals as well and is an essential part of animal life.

In human health, sodium ions are needed for regulating fluids of the body and blood. It is also required for nerve impulse transmissions, metabolic functions and activity of the heart. Animals need sodium to survive but in contrast, plants do not need the ion part, which signifies that one who is on a strict plant diet may have a low sodium level. In food, sodium is most commonly used to make table salt, which is used for seasoning purposes and preservation of foods through pickling. This is a mineral that is seen upon as very different to other minerals in the sense that humans, by default have too much sodium in their diet. This is because salt is very commonly used to season everything and is used in many different foods.

Industrially, sodium is used to make soap, for drying solvents, as a reducing agent, a heat transfer material, internal combustion engines, in sodium vapor lamps, purification of metals and to de-scale metal.

Biologically, sodium is important in the human body because it carries out many functions. It is the primary cation for fluids such as blood plasma and extra cellular fluids in many other types of tissues. It carries out the transport functions for nutrients and wastes. The balance of sodium against water in pure body must be kept at an equal level so that there is not too much water loss and not too little. Extra sodium in the body can cause dehydration.

Mineral supplements are very common nowadays, especially because people are wanting to be not only more health conscious, but also are always looking for the quickest solution. It is therefore no surprise that mineral supplements have been proven to be very popular because they are cheap, easy to produce and take no time to ingest. They are available worldwide in places such as pharmacies and can also be bought at local supermarkets, especially in places like the United States and Great Britain.

It is important to take supplements as advised and it is recommended to take a certain amount of vitamins and minerals everyday to help our immune system stay working at 100%. It is also advised not to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals as they may cause serious side effects and affect certain bodily processes. Supplements are generally taken both for maintaining regular health but also to treat deficiencies so therefore they come in different strengths and dosages. There are a number of brands that sell mineral supplements so it is worth finding out which one is best for you. The cheapest option may not always be the best.

If you are unsure about taking supplements, contact your doctor or pharmacist. He or she can advise you on the best plan of action and give you more information about specific vitamins and minerals. It is advised to seek consultation especially if you are pregnant or currently taking any medication as this can affect the intake of supplements. Go to a registered pharmacy and make sure you read all the instructions on dosage and follow them strictly. More information can be found on the Internet.