The control factors of mineral metabolism is a very complicated phenomenon. In the unicellular animals the mechanism is relatively simple and is probably carried out by adjusting the permeability of the cell membrane. But in the higher animals and human beings, although this primitive system persists, yet a lot of other factors have stepped in, as a result of which, [...]
From the facts accumulated so far as to the functions of the inorganic salts in the human body, there is ample evidence to conclude that the inorganic ions remain in the body in a state of functional balance. It is found that almost everywhere and in every function they can be grouped into two classes. One group having complementary effects, [...]
It has been noted that the salts are more important for our life than food. Salt starvation will bring about an earlier death than food starvation. In animals natural salt deficiency never takes place, enough being present in food. In man also total salt deficiency is never seen under natural conditions but partial deficiency or deficiency of individual elements or [...]