Written by Scott Turner, VoltaWell™ Founder, and Frances J. Morris, Ph.D., Certified Dementia Practitioner

Why Your Body’s Electrical System Depends on Balance, Not Restriction

For decades, salt was broadly blamed for hypertension and swelling. In reality, sodium sensitivity varies widely between individuals, and overall electrolyte balance plays a vital role in how the body manages fluid and blood pressure. Your body runs on electrochemical gradients, and sodium and chloride are the dominant extracellular ions that shape those gradients¹. Too little can disrupt normal signaling, while too much without counterbalancing electrolytes may contribute to fluid shifts. VoltaWell™ approaches salt as part of the body’s electrolyte-driven hydration physiology, using it intentionally and balancing it with potassium and magnesium².

Sodium: The Spark

Sodium drives nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and fluid movement across membranes³. It is the dominant extracellular cation, a positively charged mineral ion, that supports nutrient transport and maintains circulating volume. It regulates blood volume and pressure through the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system⁴. It also works with potassium to maintain membrane potential and impulse conduction⁵. Sodium aids nutrient absorption through sodium-coupled transporters such as SGLT1 (sodium–glucose co-transporter 1)⁶.

Pathway: Sodium is absorbed in the small intestine through several transport mechanisms, including SGLT1 and the sodium–hydrogen exchanger NHE3. The kidneys then regulate sodium excretion under aldosterone control, helping stabilize extracellular hydration and electrolyte balance.

Chloride: The Balancer

Chloride completes sodium’s circuit as the principal extracellular anion, a negatively charged mineral ion⁷. It helps form gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion, maintains osmotic pressure, and plays a key role in acid–base regulation. It maintains electrical neutrality and supports membrane stability in excitable tissues. Chloride also helps balance bicarbonate to help regulate systemic pH⁸ and supports protein breakdown and mineral absorption by contributing to gastric acidity.

Pathway: Chloride is absorbed alongside sodium through Na⁺/Cl⁻ co-transport mechanisms in the small intestine. In the kidneys, chloride is reabsorbed through channels and exchangers that work in tandem with sodium handling. These processes help maintain osmotic balance and support normal acid–base physiology.

Ratio in Nature and in You

In pure sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium and chloride ions occur in a 1:1 ratio. In human plasma, functional concentrations average approximately 140 mEq/L of sodium and 104 mEq/L of chloride, about 1.35:1 (Na:Cl)⁹. This slight sodium predominance supports extracellular osmotic balance and contributes to the electrical gradients that guide water movement, while chloride helps stabilize pH and charge distribution.

Reference Points:

• Human plasma: Na⁺ ~140, Cl⁻ ~104 → 1.35:1
• Sea water (average): Na⁺ ~470, Cl⁻ ~545 → 0.86:1
• Refined table salt (by mass): Na ~39%, Cl ~61% → ~1:1.54

Clinically low chloride levels can contribute to alkalosis tendency, impaired digestion, and dizziness. Too little sodium relative to the body’s needs can cause fatigue, cognitive fog, and increased risk of hyponatremia. Excess sodium without counterbalancing electrolytes may promote fluid shifts and perceived water retention.

The Dance of Na & Cl (with K & Mg)

Sodium and chloride comprise the majority of extracellular electrolytes and establish the osmotic gradient that drives the movement of water between blood, interstitial fluid, and lymph¹⁰. Balanced with potassium and magnesium, they enable efficient hydration, healthy nerve/muscle signaling, and steady circulation¹¹.

The VoltaWell™ Difference

We prioritize solar-evaporated sea salt (Baja Gold™), which naturally contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, boron, and other trace minerals that help maintain ionic balance. Unlike refined sodium chloride alone, this broader mineral profile supports normal acid–base physiology and contributes to electrolyte conditions that favor healthy intracellular hydration. Although these minerals occur in small amounts, they contribute to the formulation's overall electrolyte profile. These statements reflect general electrolyte physiology and are not based on product-specific clinical trials.

Chlorides in Balance

VoltaWell™ minimizes sodium chloride in its formulations. We include small, carefully proportioned amounts of other chlorides, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium chlorides, when they support normal electrolyte function and are balanced by companion minerals. The goal is symmetry and physiological balance rather than maximizing chloride or sodium.

Summary

Sodium and chloride are the primary extracellular electrolytes that help shape the body’s fluid distribution, acid–base balance, and electrical gradients. Their ratio in human plasma reflects a finely tuned system in which sodium influences osmotic pressure and water movement, while chloride supports pH control, gastric acidity, and charge neutrality. When balanced together and in proper proportions with potassium and magnesium, these minerals help maintain regular hydration, nerve and muscle function, and overall electrolyte stability.

VoltaWell™ prioritizes mineral profiles that reflect this physiology. By using solar-evaporated sea salt rich in naturally occurring trace minerals and incorporating carefully proportioned chloride sources, VoltaWell™ formulations support normal electrolyte balance without relying on excessive sodium or refined salt alone. The goal is a mineral environment that aligns with how the body actually manages hydration at the cellular level.

Footnote

The VoltaWell™ Science Series articles integrate proven medical understanding with current and emerging bioelectrical and hydration research, integrating evidence-based physiology with holistic perspectives on cellular health, hydration, and human performance.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and not intended to be diagnostic. Statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Individuals with kidney disease, heart failure, hypertension, or other medical conditions affecting electrolyte balance should consult their healthcare provider before modifying hydration or mineral intake. Always seek professional guidance if you are under medical care or taking medications that influence fluid or sodium regulation.

References

1. Clausen, T. (2010). Na⁺–K⁺ pump regulation and skeletal muscle contractility. Physiol Rev, 90(1): 209–257.
2. Popkin, B.M., D’Anci, K.E., & Rosenberg, I.H. (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutr Rev, 68(8): 439–458.
3. Kavouras, S.A. (2002). Assessing hydration status. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 5(5): 519–524.
4. Hall, J.E., & Guyton, A.C. (2015). Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed. Elsevier.
5. Palmer, B.F., & Clegg, D.J. (2016). Physiologic regulation of sodium and potassium balance. N Engl J Med, 375(19): 1849–1861.
6. Wright, E.M., & Turk, E. (2004). The sodium/glucose cotransport family SLC5. Pflügers Archiv, 447(5): 510–518.
7. Adrogué, H.J., & Madias, N.E. (2000). Hypernatremia and hyponatremia. N Engl J Med, 342(20): 1493–1499.
8. Rose, B.D., & Post, T.W. (2001). Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders. McGraw-Hill.
9. Guyton, A.C., & Hall, J.E. (2015). Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed. Elsevier.
10. Guyton, A.C., & Hall, J.E. (2015). Body fluid compartments: extracellular and intracellular fluids; interstitial fluid and edema. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed. Elsevier.
11. Costill, D.L., Fink, W.J., & Van Handel, P.J. (1976). The relationship between sodium balance and fluid balance during exercise. J Appl Physiol, 40(3): 381–385.

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