As human beings, we are dependent upon so many things. We take so much for granted every morning when we wake up, giving very little, or maybe no thought at all to how precious our very existence is.
So many things within and outside us have to work together meticulously, at just the right time in order for us just to be able to live out the day. Electrolytes: everything you need to know!
Electrolytes: Everything You Need to Know
Electrolytes are a perfect example of this. Without them, we’d fall apart. Other than when you are sweating from working out, or losing fluids when you are sick, you probably don’t think about them too often.
You’ve been told that sports drinks like Gatorade are a great way of replenishing those electrolytes that your body has used up, but what else do you know about them?
I’m here to tell you more about electrolytes and everything that you need to know. DripDrop ORS – Patented Electrolyte Powder
What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals that are mixed in with the fluids that can be found all throughout our bodies.
They are consumed in the foods and drinks found in our everyday diet and then are broken up into smaller electrically charged particles.
Especially foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, and seeds. Electrolytes are what help nutrients move into our cells while moving the water out so that our bodies have the right acid-base balance.
These electrolytes are present in our blood, lymph system, and even in our urine. Electrolytes that can be found in the human body include calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate and bicarbonate.
What do they do for us?
Electrolytes aren’t necessarily energy themselves, but these tiny particles do work together to trigger certain electrical impulses within our bodies.
Without the proper amount of electrolytes, performing simple tasks while using our muscles can lead to cramps and muscle weakness.
Our very brain can’t function at the proper capacity and may lead to mental confusion without them. Even our heart depends upon electrolytes so that it can beat correctly.
Electrolytes and Their Risks When Dangerously Low
Sodium
When sodium levels are off, you may experience headaches, confusion, personality changes, and lethargy. When severe, it may cause seizures, coma, or even death.
Chloride
Low chloride levels generally take place because of taking diuretic medications, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Calcium
There may not be any symptoms from a lack of calcium, but you may experience muscle cramps and muscle irritability. You may even notice changes to your hair, skin, or nails. Yeast infections and cataracts may also be due to a shortage of calcium as well.
Potassium
Low levels of potassium may not show any symptoms, but sometimes you may experience irregular heart rhythms, muscle weakness, respiratory problems, cramps, spasms, and even paralysis.
Magnesium
You may notice similar symptoms to a magnesium deficiency as you would for a calcium or potassium deficiency. Extremely low levels can be life-threatening.
Phosphate
Lower levels of phosphate can cause muscle weakness, respiratory failure, seizures, heart failure, and coma. This can be caused by a poor diet, alcoholism, diuretic medications, and severe burns.
Symptoms of an Electrolytes Deficiency
There are several possibilities of symptoms that you may be experiencing when you have an electrolyte deficiency. If you are experiencing a number of these after physical activity, this may be a clear indication you are running low on electrolytes.
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Fast or Irregular Heart Rate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation or Diarrhea
- Seizures or Convulsions
How We Lose Electrolytes
Our bodies do an excellent job of regulating electrolyte levels, especially when we are eating a healthy and well-balanced diet. Our kidneys will then see to it whether certain electrolytes are kept or eliminated, based on our needs. But they can also become too low for a number of reasons.
- Sweating through physical exercise or activity.
- Not drinking or eating enough.
- Losing fluids too quickly through vomiting or diarrhea.
- Taking certain medications, such as laxatives, steroids, or diuretics.
- Chronic respiratory problems, like emphysema.
- Too high a level of blood pH.
How to Replace them
Refueling your body with liquids is the best way to replenish your electrolytes, but don’t just grab any liquid that you can find.
While you might think that water (H2O) is the number one liquid that your body needs, during an electrolyte deficiency you’re actually needing more sodium-containing liquids.
These include sports drinks or electrolyte mixes that you can add to water. Try and get the ones that have higher sodium levels if it happens to be hot outside.
Losing Electrolytes During Exercise
You might be wondering how much of a sports drink you are supposed to drink after participating in a sporting event or some other physical activity? Consider this. Go ahead and weigh yourself before and after that activity.
For every pound that you lose, you’re sweating as much as 15 ounces of sweat. That’s a lot! So for each pound that you lost, you need to be drinking around 20 to 24 ounces over a 2 hour period of time to replace the sodium.
You can also add protein snacks and protein powder for post-workout to add other sodium.
Replenishing Electrolytes When You are Sick
When you have a fever and have been experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, not only are you extremely dehydrated, but your electrolytes can get dangerously low during this time.
This is something that you should take very seriously. When your body’s sodium levels drop severely, it can lead to seizures, coma, or even death.
If you are having trouble keeping liquids down, including water, you can try drinking Pedialyte to help rehydrate yourself. You can find it down the baby aisle at your local grocery store.
Some people resort to drinking Gatorade or Powerade to help replenish electrolytes while they are sick, but this method is considered controversial to others.
Foods High in Electrolytes
Let’s not forget about the important role that whole foods play when it comes to maintaining the proper amount of electrolytes in our bodies. Check out some of these foods that contain higher traces of electrolytes.
- Lemons
- Beans
- Soybeans
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Turkey
- Tomato Juice
- Bread
- Canned Tuna
Final Word
Electrolytes are an extremely important element to our body’s overall function, and when their levels get a little out of whack, certain everyday tasks become more challenging.
As always, please check with your medical specialist to help determine your health needs.
Please remember, we wouldn’t be here without electrolytes. What surprised you the most about electrolytes and how they help us everyday? Please stay well. May God bless this world, Linda
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Copyright Images: Electrolytes AdobeStock_281303240 by Roger, Electrolyte AdobeStock_322646579_Editorial_Use_Only by Sheila F2002, Citrus Juice Depositphotos_16234965_s-2019
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