Major Electrolytes

Main Function Where do you get it? Normal Ranges Excess Deficiency

Na+ Helps control fluid Food high in 135 and 145 Hypernatremia- Hyponatremia-
balance sodium/salt milliequivalent dehydration, nausea, headaches,
s per liter seizures, muscle fatigue, muscle
twitches weakness

K+ Aids muscles in Most meats, fish, 3.5-5.0 Hyperkalemia- Hypokalemia-

contracting and and unpasteurized milliEquivalent muscles weakness, constipation, fatigue,
helps heart beat dairy products as s per liter nausea, weak pulse numbness or tingling
properly well as vegetable (mEq/L)
and fruit

Ca2+ Cell signaling, Dairy products such 10.0 and 10.7 Hypercalcemia- Hypocalcemia-
blood clotting, as milk, cheese, and mg/dl nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps,
muscle yogurt as well as constipation confusion, fatigue
contraction, & vegetables like
nerve function spinach

Mg2+ Regulates muscle Beans, nuts, whole 1.5-2.5 mEq/L Magnesium Toxicity- Hypomagnesemia-
and nerve grains, and green nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness,
functions, blood leafy vegetables depression, irregular numbness, seizures
sugar levels, and heartbeat
blood pressure

HCO3- Acid-base Fruits and 22 to 28 Can cause metabolic Can be caused by

balances vegetables mEq/L alkalosis- confusion, hyperventilation,
lightheadedness, diarrhea, aspirin or
nausea alcohol overdose

Cl- electrical Similar food where 96 to 106 hyperchloremia - Hypochloremia -

neutrality and you get sodium, milliequivalent occurs with problems occurs with problems
pressure of comes in the form s (mEq) that cause high blood that cause low blood
extracellular fluids NaCl sodium sodium

SO42- Forms part of Protein foods such No known toxicity Unlikely to occur
protein structures; as, meats, poultry, effects except in the case of
part of biotin, fish, eggs, milk, protein deficiency
thiamin and nuts, legumes
insulin