The association between intracellular electrolytes and obesity indices

Obesity with a rapid grow in developed and developing countries has a close association with higher disposition to related diseases such as hypertension. Intracellular functions of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and iron have been an interested subject in obese patients since their dysregulations are linked to a higher risk of hypertension and other metabolic disorders.

In this study, the circulating levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and iron were determined in the serum of obese patients compared to normal-weight people. Moreover, we examined the correlation of such electrolytes with the well-known indices of obesity such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol and other characterizations.

The mean levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and iron were significantly different (p < 0.05) in obese patients compared to normal-weight subjects. We observed a positive partial correlation between the levels of these electrolytes and obesity indices such as BMI, WC, hip, and cholesterol.

Collectively, the present study suggests the positive correlation between obesity and the indices of metabolic disorders such as hypertension and renal failure according to the observed imbalances in the concentration of electrolytes. Moreover, efforts for diet modification may be helpful in the programs aimed at decreasing the burden of obesity and related disorders.