Many automatic processes in the body rely on a small electric current to function, and electrolytes provide this charge.

Electrolytes interact with each other and the cells in the tissues, nerves, and muscles. A balance of different electrolytes is crucial for the body to function.

They regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood acidity and pressure, and help rebuild damaged tissue.

They rely on the movement of electrolytes through the fluid inside, outside, or between cells. For example, a muscle needs calcium, sodium, and potassium to contract. When these substances become imbalanced, it can lead to either muscle weakness or excessive contraction.

The levels of electrolytes in the blood can become too high or too low, leading to an imbalance. Electrolyte levels can change in relation to water levels in the body, as well as other factors. Important electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, are lost in sweat during exercise.

A rapid loss of fluids, such as after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, can also affect the concentration of electrolytes. In these types of situations, the balance of electrolytes in the body needs to be restored.

The kidneys and several hormones regulate the concentration of each electrolyte. If the level of one is too high, the kidneys filter it from the body, and different hormones act to restore a balance.

An imbalance causes a health issue when the concentration of a certain electrolyte becomes higher than the body can regulate.

Low levels of electrolytes can also affect overall health. The most common imbalances involve sodium and potassium. The symptoms depend on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether its level is too high or too low.

A harmful concentration of magnesium, sodium, potassium, or calcium can produce one or more of the following symptoms:. For example, a calcium excess can occur in people with breast cancer , lung cancer , or multiple myeloma.

This type of excess is often caused by the destruction of bone tissue. As these symptoms can also result from cancer or cancer treatment, it may be difficult to identify high calcium levels as the cause. An electrolyte panel is a test that screens for imbalances in the blood. It also measures the acid-base balance and kidney function.

This test can help monitor the progress of treatment relating to a known imbalance. A doctor may include it as part of a routine physical exam, and people often undergo it during a hospital stay or when receiving care in an emergency room, as both acute and chronic illnesses can affect electrolyte levels.

A healthcare professional may also perform this test for someone taking medication known to affect electrolyte concentrations, such as diuretics or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The levels of electrolytes in the blood are measured in millimoles per liter l.

If the level of one type of electrolyte is too high or low, the doctor will test regularly until the levels are back to normal. If there is an acid-base imbalance, the doctor may carry out blood gas tests.

These measure the acidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels in a sample of blood from an artery. They also determine the severity of the imbalance and how the person is responding to treatment. Treating an electrolyte imbalance involves either restoring levels that are too low or reducing concentrations that are too high.

If levels are too high, the treatment depends on the cause of the excess. If the body loses water without losing electrolytes, this can lead to an excess, and the treatment involves an infusion of water and glucose.

Healthcare professionals typically treat low levels by supplementing the needed electrolyte. The type of treatment will also depend on the severity of the imbalance. However, the symptoms of an imbalance can be severe, and a person may need to be hospitalized and monitored during the treatment.

Doctors mainly use this to treat an electrolyte shortage alongside dehydration, which tends to follow severe diarrhea. The World Health Organization WHO has approved a solution for oral rehydration therapy that contains:.

In more severe cases of an electrolyte shortage, healthcare professionals may administer the electrolyte orally or through an IV drip. An infusion of saltwater solution or compound sodium lactate, for example, can help treat a shortage of sodium.

Some causes of an electrolyte shortage, such as kidney disease, are not preventable. In general, having a well-managed diet can help reduce the risk of low electrolyte levels. Also, having a moderate amount of a sports drink during or after any kind of exertion or exercise can help limit the effects of losing electrolytes through sweat.

For people who do not need treatment in a hospital, a doctor may recommend dietary changes or supplements to balance electrolyte concentrations. When levels of an electrolyte are too low, it is important to have foods and drinks that contain high amounts of that electrolyte. Here are some options:.

It is worth knowing how much of each electrolyte is in a type of food or drink. The Department of Agriculture has a searchable database of nutritional contents. Supplements are also an option for managing low levels of an electrolyte. For example, older adults often do not consume enough potassium, and treatments with corticosteroids or diuretic medications can also reduce these levels.

In this case, potassium tablets can boost the concentration in the blood. Some sports drinks, gels, and candies can restore levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium during and after exercise. They can also help the body retain water. However, these products sometimes contain high electrolyte contents, and consuming too much can lead to an excess.

How much water you need usually depends on the intensity and type of workout and climate. Everyone is different so it may be easier to listen to your body and let your thirst guide you. Eating water-rich fruits and veggies, like watermelon and cucumber, contribute to your overall daily intake of fluids and helps you stay hydrated too.

Sports drinks contain electrolytes and carbohydrates in addition to water. They can be helpful for maintaining hydration levels during high intensity exercise.

The main electrolytes in sports drinks are sodium and potassium. Carbs often come in the form of sugars, such as glucose, sucrose and fructose.

Limiting sugary drinks is important. Because most electrolyte drinks are packed with sugar, consider forgoing one in favor of eating a salty snack like mixed nuts.

Unsweetened coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes and has less sugar than most sports drinks if none has been added. And though hard to find, cactus water delivers electrolytes with less sugar than coconut water. Pull out your blender and whip up a nutritious beverage made with celery, apple and lemon, or with bananas, almond milk and kale.

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According to Morgyn Clair, a registered dietitian, foods that contain electrolytes include fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, citrus, watermelon, and other leafy greens. However, if you need a quick way to boost your electrolyte levels, drinking electrolyte-infused waters, coconut water, sports drinks, Pedialyte, mixing electrolyte tablets or powders with water are all good options.

If you opt for a sports drink, though, it's important to be aware of its sugar content. A standard size bottle 12 oounces can contain over 20 grams of added sugar, which is more than half of what is recommended to consume in a day. Although drinks like Gatorade are generally marketed towards athletes, a better alternative for workouts would be an electrolyte supplement, such as some of CNET's top sports drinks like Nuun Endurance or Liquid I.

Hydration Multiplier. These tend to be lower in sugar, and consist of all the minerals your body needs immediately. If you're sensitive to caffeine, make sure to read the label because some brands may infuse products with caffeine or similar energy-boosting ingredients.

Electrolytes are an important aspect of our health that shouldn't be neglected. They're responsible for some major functions in your body, and having an imbalance can be detrimental to your health. Although the average person can keep their electrolytes balanced with a healthy diet and proper hydration, it's good to know about other avenues in case you need a quick fix after a sweaty workout or a bout of illness.

If you're concerned about your electrolyte levels and they seem consistently off, it's best to consult with a doctor who can provide the right tests and give you a proper diagnosis.

Meal Delivery. Dieting Program Guides. Vitamin and Supplement Guides. Wellness Nutrition. Are You Getting Your Electrolytes? Tips to Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day What you need to know to stay hydrated and keep your electrolytes balanced during this heat wave.

Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer. On my spare time I enjoy cooking new recipes, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or binge-watching many TV shows at once.

I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. Electrolyte drinks can also be beneficial for someone who is very ill and is experiencing prolonged sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea results in the loss of fluids so it is important to replenish after experiencing these.

If you are not sick, and only working out for an hour or less, water will work just fine for recovery 1,3. Can electrolyte drinks be harmful?

The answer: sometimes they can be. Since the main electrolytes found in these drinks are sodium and potassium, this might be dangerous for someone who has Hypertension chronic high blood pressure or is salt-sensitive. This is because sodium draws water into the bloodstream, increasing the volume of blood which raises blood pressure.

Due to their high electrolyte content, drinking these beverages every day when there has not been a loss of electrolytes, could result in toxicities poisoning of different electrolytes. Ironic right? Another reason electrolyte drinks should be avoided when there has not been a loss of electrolytes is because those drinks tend to be high in sugar.

For someone who has lost electrolytes, sugar can be beneficial in helping them to recover; however, for the average person, that much sugar is not necessary and can be harmful for some people, especially someone who has diabetes.

In conclusion, electrolytes play a very important role in our daily lives. Electrolyte drinks play a role in replenishing lost fluids; however, they are only needed in specific situations and are not necessary for the average person on the average day.

Our specialists help create healthy people and healthy places in New Hampshire. living well with Chronic Pain WORKSHOPS. Hydration: Are Electrolyte Drinks Better Than Water.

Thursday, September 14, The main electrolytes in the body include: Sodium Potassium Magnesium Phosphate Chloride These electrolytes are important for regulating the balance of fluids inside and outside of cells, maintaining nerve and muscle function, regulating blood pressure, and much more 1.

Triathletes supplementing with extra magnesium demonstrated improved cycling, swimming, and running times. Sports drinks are often touted as the ideal way to prevent dehydration. But are sports drinks more effective in hydrating the body than water?

Make no mistake—sports drinks are adult Kool-Aid with some sodium and, in some instances, potassium added. Sports drinks are loaded with sugar, and many athletes find them overwhelming when consumed during an event or exercise. Many commercial sports drinks are flavored and colored with chemicals and sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, a simple sugar that can cause fluctuations in blood sugar.

If you compared the grams of sugar carbs found in a typical oz. serving of several leading brands of sports drinks with the carb content found in your average Tootsie Roll, you would discover the following:.

Incidentally, a 16 oz. The sugar content alone restricts the use of sports drinks for people with diabetes, which is highly telling. Besides the effect of sports drinks on blood-sugar levels, the long-term effects of the sweeteners, coloring agents, and other chemicals in sports drinks is not known, but some recent research does raise some questions.

A study published in General Dentistry reported that some popular sports and energy drinks destroyed tooth enamel more effectively than cola. The study, which analyzed the effects of exposed dental enamel to 12 different brands of soft drinks, non-cola, and sports beverages, found that irreversible enamel damage was three to eleven times greater among the non-cola and sports beverages than cola-based drinks.

A second limitation of sports drinks is their electrolyte balance. Most people already get too much sodium from foods. The electrolyte content of Gatorade is mg of sodium and 60 mg of potassium, based on a 16 oz.

serving size. Powerade contains mg of sodium and 60 mg of potassium. What about the other electrolytes? Calcium and magnesium are mentioned; however, Endurance provides less than two percent of the Daily Value for these two critical electrolytes.

A balance of ALL electrolytes is necessary to maintain optimal hydration and endurance. As for sports drinks, the high-sugar content of most of these beverages often causes bloating, stomach cramps, and can impair your hard-fought training and performance at the moment when it may matter the most.

ELETE is an electrolyte add-in you add to water or any other beverage to make an instant sports drink. It provides pure electrolytes and nothing else. ELETE powers rapid hydration and quickly replaces ALL lost electrolytes—not just sodium. It supports performance, stamina, and recovery, and delivers electrolytes evenly to ensure optimal hydration.

ELETE allows you, the user, the option of consuming carbohydrates in whatever way works best for you. The clinical studies and research cited in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of ELETE.

Comparison based on oz. Water: The Most Important Nutrient Water is the most important nutrient for your body. Any individual can become dehydrated from the following conditions: Excessive sweating e.

At these signs, children under the age of 12 should see a physician immediately. Severe Dehydration 4 Signs of severe dehydration include: All signs of moderate dehydration Rapid and weak pulse Cold hands and feet Rapid breathing Blue lips Lethargic, comatose, seizures Severe dehydration requires immediate hospitalization.

and cannot be substituted by any other nutrient in the diet. What Are Electrolytes? The chart below explains the important functions electrolytes perform in your body: Fig.

serving of several leading brands of sports drinks with the carb content found in your average Tootsie Roll, you would discover the following: Gatorade® contains calories and 28 grams of carbs, which is equivalent to 13 Tootsie Rolls.

Powerade® contains 34 grams of carbs, equivalent to 16 Tootsie Rolls.