Alex M. McDonald, MD
Sodium is an important part of every athlete’s diet. Athletes have higher sodium needs compared to the general population because sodium loss escalates when one sweats. Sodium is also required for optimal hydration before, during, and after exercise. The specific amount is highly individual and must be practiced in order to determine your appropriate nutrition strategy
Through proper practice and training, athletes can maintain balanced hydration and avoid many of the pitfalls of improper sodium intake, particularly the life-threatening condition of hyponatremia. In this article you will gain a better understanding of sodium as a critical electrolyte required for proper body function.
Sodium’s Role in the BodySodium is one of the many electrolytes required for human life. The body makes use of sodium in many ways: It plays a key role in muscle and nerve function, and it’s the electrolyte responsible for maintaining fluid levels in various parts of the body.Although appropriate functioning of nerves and muscles requires sodium, it is not the absolute concentration of sodium that is critical – it’s the ratio of sodium inside a cell compared to sodium outside a cell that is important.
Of the many methods in which sodium can be gained and lost, the intake of food and the output of sweat and urine are the most important. Visit site for more information