The main positively charged electrolyte that is found in the extracellular fluids which baths all the body cells is sodium. A pump in the cell membrane maintains high levels of sodium inside the cells to offset that in the extracellular fluid. Sodium chloride (salt) is found in table salt, salted crisps, bacon, salted nuts, tinned products especially ones that contain brine, meat pastes, pates, ready-prepared foods, sauces and packet soups, stock cubes, yeast extracts and cured, smoked and pickled fish and meat.

Potassium is the main positively charged ion found inside cells. The ion-exchange pumps found in cell walls actively pump potassium inside cells and sodium ions are pumped out to make room for it. Potassium is found seafood, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

The sodium/potassium balance is one way in which the body regulates the pH in the body. When the body is too acidic the kidneys excrete potassium and when the body is too basic the kidneys excrete sodium. If you have a more acidic environment in your kidneys then the chances of kidney stones developing is reduced. When the urine is too basic, phosphorus and calcium bind together to form stones in the kidneys. Consuming potassium will make urine more acidic thus stopping the formation of kidney stones.

Sodium and potassium help to regulate the blood pressure. Cells will be deficient of potassium if potassium is not consumed within the diet. An average western diet is high in sodium so it is very likely that westerner have a high amount of sodium on the outside of the cells within their bodies. The high amount of sodium causes extra work for the cellular pump to keep the sodium outside the cell membrane. The increases of sodium within the cells increase the amount of water within the cells. The water is taken from the surrounding fluids and blood which causes a decrease in blood pressure. To keep blood pressure to a healthy level, it is wise to consume potassium.

Potassium has far reaching affects on cell membrane functions without it the brain could not send messages to other parts of the body and individual cells would starve to death. Natural foods are very high in potassium but processed and refined foods are very bad effects on potassium. The refining process kills potassium, refined carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar increases the excretion of potassium and refined food increases the need for potassium because they containing high levels of sodium in the form of salt which upsets the sodium/potassium balance. Bananas, dried fruit, potatoes, avocados, milk, whole grain, broccoli and legumes are all high in potassium.

To enable each sodium/potassium pumps in cells to work properly it is vital that the body