Whats considered a very important mineral?
Sodium. It's super crucial for keeping our bodies functioning properly, it is found hunting for food
Imagine figuring out where sodium hangs out in our bodies
We've always relied on urine and blood tests, but scientists have discovered that sodium can be found in two different pools a slow one in bones and a much faster one in soft tissue.
Could it be possible to check these two distinct sodium hangouts and discover their quantities and how they move? The bones are too dense to scan for sodium, and radiation is far too dangerous. . Its like blindfolded operation. . to perform a detailed and safe analysis of every bit.
Well, researchers decided to attack the problem head on by using pigs! Are you imaging why and how?
They chose pig legs closely because in body they act like human limbs as closely as possible. They fed two pigs vastly different diets one was loaded with sodium, the other barely any at all. .
Researchers then triggered a neutron generator to fire neutrons at these very leg's soft tissues and bones. When sodium was tagged with radioactive reactions it glow with photons. Germanium detectors picked up this NA glow and recorded the data for analysis.
Germanium then a gamma ray detector.
A carefully crafted Framework was used to examine the data to sort the info for soft tissue and bones in our bones as pool. 1 and
2. . . as the team noted significant differences in the two groups. The pig on the high-sodium diet had way more sodium in its soft tissue 1, case in point. . of divison, than. . . the other pig. (1, 057. 08 vs 704. 46 ppm, for those who love statistic data like me)
. . . However, the sodium levels in the bones didn't budge much between the two groups. It's like the bones were minding their own business regardless of the dietary sodium fiasco. (856. 45 vs 803. 30 ppm, if you're keeping count. )
So, what's the takeaway from this. . model and experiment, study, trial, pig party? Well, it seems that our bodies hoard extra sodium in soft tissue. This discovery holds massive potential for exploring the link between sodium intake and health issues like high blood pressure.
In addition to this study, we could also closely monitor the bone's sodium stores and adjust our sodium intake to maintain healthier levels for health purposes. just one possibility given these results.
Interesting thing is, this methodology of pig trial is also a safer alternative for humans, as it avoids harmful radiation. but keep in mind we still have a lot of research to do. .
Why pigs and not any one else could have you asked. Well, pig body is just about half of human body, do you know. Next thing to our body.
