He has written for Foreign Policy,The Guardian, Foreign Affairs, Politico and a host of other publications. The Interpreter Joins RFE/RL. We are proud to announce that, starting January 1, 2016, The Interpreter will be a special project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
1 Sodium plays a large role in fluid balance, with different variations of sodium determining the shift of water by osmosis from one area of the body to another.  Along with chloride and bicarbonate, sodium is important for the proper regulation of the acid-base balance of the body.
What is the function of the sodium ion on the body? It is the primary cation in extracellular fluid. Sodium is important for maintenance of extracellular fluid volume through its effect on osmotic pressure - makes up about 90% of the solute in extracellular fluid. It is also essential in conduction of nerve impulses and muscle contraction.