SODIUM ION (LOGICAL DIVISION)

According to Almatsier, 2008, Sodium ion is the main cation in our body's
extracellular fluid which maintaining the body's fluid and acid-base balance as its function,
and plays a role in nerve transmission and muscle contraction. As the main cation in
extracellular fluid, sodium regulates osmotic pressure which keeps fluid from coming out of
the blood and into the cells. Normally the body can maintain a balance between sodium
outside the cell and potassium in the cell. In carrying out its role, Sodium is associated with
Potassium and Chloride in the body. Na and Cl ions are the main electrolytes of extracellular
fluid and potassium ions in intracellular fluid.

Another opinion of Bruckber in Siagian (1999), that said as much as 60-70% of

sodium is in extracellular and intracellular body fluids with a ratio of 28: 1, and about 30-
40% are in the bone. It is estimated that as much as 65% of all sodium content in the body
experiences an exchange, and this does not appear to differ from age or sex differences in
normal adults. The normal content of sodium in blood plasma is 132-144 mEq / liter (300-
335 mg / 100 ml). Most of the sodium is in blood plasma and in fluids outside the cell, some
of which are found in the bone. Sodium can be obtained from both vegetable and animal
foods. Most natural foods contain 0.1-3.0 mmol sodium per 100 gr, but during the cooking
process a lot of sodium is added in the form of NaCl.

Estimated sodium requirement a day for adults is 500 mg. WHO (1990) recommends
limiting consumption of salt to 6 grams per day (equivalent to 2400 mg of sodium). Almost
all sodium consumed (3-7 grams a day) is absorbed, especially in the small intestine. The
amount of NaCl fluid that the body can provide to be absorbed by the intestine is 44 grams
for adults. In its role, sodium binds to chloride and potassium. Sodium and chloride ions are
the main electrolytes of extracellular fluid and potassium ions in intracellular fluid. High
sodium intake in the body will increase extracellular fluid resulting in increased blood
volume. High potassium intake in the body will increase intracellular fluid and increase the
excretion of sodium in the body resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.