Ion transportation

The transportation of ions between cells or between different compartments of cells impacts many different bodily systems, including the nervous system, the endocrine system, energy metabolism and the cardiovascular system. Ions including calcium, potassium, sodium and chlorine play a key role in keeping the human body functioning correctly; ion transportation also occurs in animals and bacteria.

Ion channels, along with pumps and transporters, are cell membrane proteins that control ion transport into and out of cells, or between different compartments within cells (cell membranes are fairly impermeable to ions). Ion channel diseases are caused by mutations in ion channel genes.

Ion transportation dysfunction can result in too much or too few ions reaching cells, or an incorrect balance of different ions, which in extreme cases may cause death.

Ions are introduced to the body from food, drinks (including trace amounts in water), and can also be taken as supplements, injected or enter the body via by IV.

Evidence of ion transportation dysfunction has been found in M.E./CFS,

Symptom Recognition
Symptoms resulting from ion transportation problems are part of the International Consensus Criteria.

Potential Treatments
Electrolytes are one of the suggestions for treating Energy Metabolism and Ion Transportation problems in general.

Learn more

 * Channelopathies (review) - Kim June-Bum.


 * Periodic Paralysis - What clinicians should know