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Dietary Sodium

Meaning

Dietary sodium refers to the total intake of sodium, primarily consumed as sodium chloride (table salt), through food and beverages. This essential electrolyte is fundamental for maintaining extracellular fluid volume, osmotic pressure, and the electrical gradients necessary for nerve and muscle function. While vital for human physiology, excessive intake is a major public health concern linked to hypertension and cardiovascular risk. Careful clinical monitoring of dietary sodium is often necessary to support optimal hormonal and cardiovascular health.