Major Extra and Intracellular Electrolytes

Introduction

• Intracellular Electrolytes are ions that conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

• They play essential roles in various physiological processes, such as maintaining fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle function.

• Electrolytes are present both inside and outside cells, with specific concentrations maintained to ensure proper cell function.

• They contribute to various bodily functions, including maintaining fluid balance, enabling nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and supporting essential metabolic processes.

Extracellular electrolytes

1) Sodium (Na+)

• Primary Role: The main cation in extracellular fluid.

• Functions:

  • Maintaining fluid balance

  • Regulating blood pressure

  • Supporting nerve and muscle function

• Sources: Table salt, processed foods, canned soups, condiments, snacks

• Deficiency (Hyponatremia):

  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea, seizures

  • Severe Cases: Coma and death.

2) Chloride (Cl-)

• Primary Role: The main anion in extracellular fluid.

• Functions:

  • Maintaining fluid balance

  • Supporting acid-base balance

  • Regulating osmotic pressure

• Sources: Table salt, processed foods, some vegetables

• Deficiency (Hypochloremia):

• Symptoms: Muscle cramps, weakness

• Severe Cases: Metabolic alkalosis, respiratory depression.

3) Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

• Primary Role: Acts as a buffer in extracellular fluid.

• Functions:

  • Maintaining acid-base balance

  • Facilitating carbon dioxide transport

• Sources: Produced endogenously through metabolic processes

• Deficiency (Metabolic Acidosis):

  • Symptoms: Fatigue, rapid breathing, confusion

  • Severe Cases: Shock and death.

4) Calcium (Ca2+)

• Primary Role: An essential extracellular cation, though in lower concentrations than sodium and chloride.

• Functions:

  • Blood clotting

  • Bone health

  • Nerve conduction

  • Muscle function

• Sources: Dairy products, leafy greens, fortified foods, fish with edible bones

• Deficiency (Hypocalcemia):

  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, seizures

  • Severe Cases: Osteoporosis, rickets.

Intracellular electrolytes

1) Potassium (K+)

• Primary Role: The main cation in intracellular fluid.

• Functions:

  • Maintaining cell membrane potential

  • Nerve conduction

  • Muscle function

• Sources: Bananas, oranges, leafy greens, potatoes, tomatoes, yogurt

• Deficiency (Hypokalemia):

  • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, constipation

  • Severe Cases: Heart arrhythmias, paralysis.

2) Magnesium (Mg2+)

• Primary Role: An essential intracellular cation.

• Functions:

  • Protein synthesis

  • Muscle function

  • Energy metabolism

  • Enzyme regulation

• Sources: Nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, leafy greens

• Deficiency (Hypomagnesemia):

  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, tremors, fatigue, loss of appetite

  • Severe Cases: Seizures, heart arrhythmiass.

3) Phosphate (PO43-)

• Primary Role: The primary anion in intracellular fluid.

• Functions:

  • Energy metabolism (as part of ATP)

  • Cell signaling

  • Nucleic acid and bone formation

• Sources: Dairy products, meat, fish, whole grains, nuts

• Deficiency (Hypophosphatemia):

  • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, bone pain

  • Severe Cases: Rickets, osteomalacia.

4) Sulphate (SO42-)

• Primary Role: An important intracellular anion.

• Functions:

  • Protein synthesis

  • Detoxification

  • Structural molecule formation

• Sources: Animal proteins, legumes, some vegetables

• Deficiency: Rare and not well-established, but severe deficiency may affect protein synthesis and detoxification processes