Benjamin Li

06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo

Project: Ions for Your

Health
Everyday, our bodies
constantly use ions to help regulate
and maintain homeostasis. However,
these tiny, electron-changed atoms
are more than often overlooked,
which is bad when we realize that we lack them. This could explain why the ions
found in sports drinks are not chosen randomly; they are the same ones that are
lost from your body when you exercise vigorously. A wide range of ions play critical
roles in maintaining health and proper body function. Some of these ions are
present in the body in relatively large amounts and some are present only in trace
amounts. However, other ions can be toxic to humans, even in small amounts.

SODIUM IONS
The most common ion found in the human body is the Sodium ion, whose
chemical symbol is Na+. The sodium cation (positively charged ion) is an
example of an ion that plays a beneficial role to the body. Although it is a prominent
ion that is found throughout the whole body, the sodium cation plays a crucial role
especially in the nervous system. Within the body, the function of this ion is to
create electrical signals that can be transmitted throughout the body. Sodium ions
interact with Potassium ions to form concentration gradients throughout the body,
and it can be used as an ion pump in cell membranes, allowing the diffusion of
various proteins and molecules. Sodium ions are also found in the human blood,
which helps maintain homeostasis by creating an osmotic balance and a perfect
intra/extracellular environment. Sodium ions are found in many minerals, and they
can be found in most rocks. So you might be wondering, How does this essential
ion enter into our body? Well, thats simple. In most foods that we eat, we will
always add salt to enhance flavor. Did you know? Salt is the ionic compound of a

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
Sodium cation and a Chlorine anion. The element gets into our body when we eat
table salt or any other foods containing sodium. It is found in urine and in sweat,
two things that are outside the body. Tears also contain sodium to protect the eyes
against bacteria and pathogens. Sodium is only one of
the many ions found in our body, and in this project, I will
be further discussing many more ions that have an
impact on our bodies.

POTASSIUM IONS
Another essential ion that plays a crucial role in the human body is
the Potassium ion, whose chemical symbol is K+. The Potassium ion
is also found throughout the body, but a large concentration of these ions
is found in the kidney. The kidney utilizes potassium ions to function. Like
the Sodium ion, the Potassium ion holds many functions in the body.
Some of these functions include: regulating heartbeat, reducing blood
pressure, facilitating protein synthesis, maintaining fluid and acid balance,
helping the lungs eliminate carbon dioxide, and allowing the kidney to function. As
mentioned earlier on, the Potassium ion interacts with the Sodium ion to form
concentration gradients. Very similar to the Sodium ion, the potassium ion is found
in many minerals, and it is also found in some fruits such as bananas. This crucial
ion enters into the body through the foods that we eat, such as bananas. It is known
for providing large amounts of energy, and thats why many people will eat a
banana or something with a lot of Potassium in it before doing a physical activity.

MAGNESIUM IONS
Magnesium ions, whose chemical symbol is (Mg2+), are also another
crucial ion when it comes to regulating the body and health. Within the human
body, Magnesium is found in almost every organ, since it is required for energy
production. Like the other ions, magnesium ions are helpful when it comes to
regulating the blood pressure, forming new bones and teeth, assisting the

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
production of fats and proteins, and secreting parathyroid hormones. Like most
other ions, Magnesium ions tend to work well with
calcium ions in the formation of bones and teeth. Like
the other ions, Magnesium ions can be found in
minerals, but it is also very common to be found in
seawater, as present in the ionic compound of
magnesium chloride. Although it is the 8th most
abundant element in the Earths crust, this element is
never found uncombined in nature. So how does this
ion enter into our body? Thats simple. Magnesium will often enter the body through
the foods that we ingest. Some foods with high amounts of Magnesium include:
nuts, seeds, fish, and yogurt. Since Magnesium is such a crucial ion, sometimes
doctors will prescribe this ion as a supplement in medicine to make sure that it is in
our bodies. However, it is important to know that not too much of anything is ever
good, as an overdose of Magnesium can lead to problems such as osteoporosis or
high blood pressure.

CALCIUM IONS

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
Calcium ions, whose chemical symbol (Ca2+),
are essential ions to the body when it comes to
development and formation of new cells. This ion is found
throughout the body, but it is primarily found in the
skeletal system as it helps and facilitates the development

of

bones and teeth. This is why a doctor will tell you to drink
more milk if you are having skeletal issues. Perhaps your
parents may tell you to drink milk, which contains calcium, if you are short, because
it will help develop the skeletal system that helps you to grow. Other than
mineralizing the bones in your body, calcium ions are also important when it comes
down to moving into and out of the cytoplasm quickly to act as a signal for cellular
processes. As stated earlier, calcium ions will interact with magnesium ions to help
form stronger bones and teeth. Outside of the body, this ion can be found in many
of the foods we eat. A prominent example of this would include milk, which contains
a lot of calcium. This element can enter into the body through the foods we eat, but
sometimes it is given as a prescription or supplement to those who are lacking this
essential ion.

CAN IONS BE DESTRUCTIVE?

Within our body, tons of ions work in our favor to serve various processes,
from regulating blood pressure to facilitating the formation of bones. It is important
to know that too much of anything is never good, which means that an overdose of
these ions in the human body can cause its own problems. Lastly, there are many,
many ions in our body that help and protect us, and only four were mentioned
above. So now you might be wondering, Are there any ions that cause damage and
are bad for the human health? Of course there are. The following listed are
dangerous ions that should be avoided at all times because they may cause severe
damage to the body.

NICKEL IONS

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
One of the most dangerous toxic, heavy
metals that can cause serious damage to the body
is the Nickel ion, whose chemical symbol is
(Ni2+). Like most other ions, the nickel ion can be
found throughout the body, depending on where it
enters. It does not have a specific place in the body
where it tends to reside, but it usually will disrupt
the part of the body where it resides in, which can
eventually lead to cancer. Nickel is considered to be
is both the most allergenic and the most carcinogenic metal we are commonly
exposed to because the effects are deadly: it can bioaccumulation within the body,
cause uncontrollable mitosis, and chronically destroy human
organs. The nickel ion interacts with other harmful ions such as
mercury ions, aluminum ions, lead ions, and silver ions to
cause destruction in the human body. Did you know? Most of
the cases of cancer within the U.S are caused by the overdose
of these harmful ions, which can cause uncontrolled mitosis.
While we do not know it, the nickel ion is prevalent in many
places outside our body, and it lurks to destroy us from the
inside out. Some of these places that the Nickel ion can be
found outside the human body are: stainless steel dental materials and
orthodontics, ceramics, cocoa, hair spray, jewelry and cosmetics. Now that you
know where these harmful ions originate from, you can probably guess how they
enter the human body. Thats right, these ions can enter the body through the air
we breathe, the things we touch (ex: jewelry and hair spray) and many more ways.
These ions are rarely found in food sources, which mean that we usually do not
ingest these harmful ions. Thankfully, today science has led us to elevated heights,
and we are now able to test for and treat toxic metals like the nickel ion. One
example of treating this toxic ion is the Chelation therapy. The Chelation therapy is
a medical procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove
heavy metals from the body. Chelating agents are molecules that have multiple
electron-donating groups, which can form stable coordination complexes with metal

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
ions. Complexation prevents the metal ions from reacting with molecules in the
body, and enables them to be dissolved in blood and eliminated in urine.

MERCURY IONS
Another extremely dangerous atom (ion) to
our body is the Mercury atom, whose Chemical
symbol is (Hg2+). Mercury ions can be found
throughout the body, but they tend to reside in the
bloodstream when it enters into the human body.
Like nickel, the mercury ion can cause devastating
damage as it disrupts the functions of the body. This
heavy metal is found at a liquid state when it is not
an ion, but as an ion it usually exists as an inorganic salt. Toxic effects include
damage to the brain, kidney, and lungs. It will affect the nervous system, and it can
cause cancer just like any other harmful ion. Mercury poisoning can result in
several diseases, including acrodynia (pink disease), Hunter-Russell syndrome, and
Alzheimers disease. Usually, this harmful toxic metal will accumulate in the body
through biomagnification. It tends to interact with the Aluminum ion to cause
Alzheimers disease, as large amounts of Mercury will prevent the filtering of
Aluminum. Outside the body, the Mercury ion can be found in many places. Today,
over 65% of Americans have toxic levels of Mercury due to mercurys use in
dentistry. Sources of Mercury also include: amalgams, air pollution, fish (especially
larger fish and shrimp and shellfish) and fluorescent lights. It is also found in many
minerals, and it tends to enter the human body through biomagnification, which is
increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of
organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. When we humans eat other
fish that have been contaminated with Mercury, these toxic substances are not
broken down, and they enter is blood stream, causing devastating damage. Fun
fact: Mad hatter disease, or mad hatter syndrome, is occupational chronic mercury
poisoning among hat makers whose felting work involved prolonged exposure to

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo
mercury vapors. This means that Mercury can also enter the body through physical
means such as contaminated air and clothing that we wear. Like the Nickel ion, this
harmful heavy metal ion can be treated with the advancements in todays science.
It is treated by using the Chelation therapy. The Chelation therapy is a medical
procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy
metals from the body. Chelating agents are molecules that have multiple electrondonating groups, which can form stable coordination complexes with metal ions.
Complexation prevents the metal ions from reacting with molecules in the body,
and enables them to be dissolved in blood and eliminated in urine.

WORLD OF IONS
Ions are made when a single atom loses or gains
one or more electrons. These newly made atoms are
essential to the body, as they can bring both a positive
and negative effect. The body constantly uses these ions
to maintain homeostasis and utilize energy. However,
anything will always have consequences that come along
with its benefits. It is important to know that too much of
anything is never good, and even they helpful ions can cause harm when they are
used inappropriately. Ions can be found both inside and outside the body, and they
enter the body through various means, such as the food that we eat. Ions are truly
essential when it comes to regulating our health, and the realm of ions has yet to be
explored.
Sources:
http://www.webelements.com/
https://www.wikipedia.org/
https://images.google.com/
http://health-inspiration.com/html/harmful_heavy_metals.html

Benjamin Li
06/19/2016
Ms. Bernabo