Sulfate ions are involved in detoxification, and sodium is involved in bile production. Sodium and chloride play key roles in fluid balance. Together, potassium and chloride are required for gastric acid production and hence digestive function.

• Gastrointestinal function: Potassium and chloride are both essential for the production of gastric acid, and play an important role in digestive function.
• Detoxification: Sulfur compounds are involved in phase II detoxification (conjugation), where they render metabolites more water-soluble, thereby inactivating them and facilitating their excretion in the bile, faeces or urine. Sodium is required for bile production, and is incorporated into the conjugation products of several bile salts.
• Fluid balance: Sodium, potassium and chloride are involved in the regulation of water balance. Potassium acts with extracellular sodium to maintain normal osmotic pressure and influences the ability of the kidney to correct imbalances with the excretion process. The status of chloride channels influences the uptake or loss of water by cells, and hence the regulation of cell volume.
• In the extracellular matrix, sulfated proteoglycans have a strong negative charge. This attracts cations such as sodium, which in turn attracts water, hydrating the connective tissue mesh and maintaining its integrity. Sodium and sulfate thus act together to maintain fluid balance within connective tissue.
• Connective tissue: Sulfate is a structural component of many glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, glycolipids and glycoproteins and as such, is a stabiliser of connective tissue, contributing to its strength, elasticity and hydration. Sulfated glycosaminoglycan production is important in injury and wound repair. The polysaccharides associated with glycoproteins and glycolipids on the cell surface are often associated with potassium.