what are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are ions (atomic particles) in cells, blood and other organic materials in the body. Electrolytes help to control fluid levels, maintain pH levels and ensure the correct electrical potential between nerve cells that enables the transmission of nerve signals. They can be regarded as the body’s messengers and they play a very important role in maintaining health. Cells exchange electrolytes through a process called osmosis that ensures that every cell is in balance with every other. The body defends osmosis in advance of all other functions and it could be called the essence of life.
electrolytes are sodium, potassium, magnesium & calcium. your body is like a big balloon filled with salty water & electrical signals are able to buzz about in there. er, simply though – electrolytes are things you need, especially when exercising. the american college of sports medicine recommends that people who are active for more than one hour get 500–700mg of sodium for every litre of water they consume. this is up to three times the sodium that traditional “sports drinks” provide. nuun provides 700mg of sodium for every litre of drink – this amount, in addition to the other critical electrolytes contained in every nuun tablet, ensure that you are adequately replenishing your body’s stores to help you perform at your best, & stay healthy.
Electrolytes are the blood minerals that make up the pH balance of the blood and the electrical potential of the body. Without electrolytes, the body is like a car without a battery – it just cannot get started. Electrolytes for the most part are NOT stored, apart from salt and calcium, and you don’t want to use your stores of bone for blood calcium as that can lead to osteoperosis and kidney stones. So electrolytes MUST come from the diet. They are shed through sweat and urine and used in digestion and elimination. Bouts of fatigue and brain fog can often be attributed to a lack of electrolytes, as can muscle spasms, light headedness and depression. Salt, calcium, potassium and magnesium are the electrolytes we need the most. Salt is stored and managed by the liver, so we don’t need a lot, we just need enough. Organic salts from zucchini and celery are best, seafood next best, Celtic Sea salt is great, kosher salt is fine. Chromium and Sulfur are also electrolytes. A lack of chromium
Electrolytes are nutrients that affect fluid balance in the body and are necessary for our nerves and muscles to function. Sodium and potassium are the two electrolytes most often added to sports drinks. Generally, electrolyte replacement is not needed during short bursts of exercise since sweat is approximately 99% water and less than 1% electrolytes. Water, in combination with a well-balanced diet, will restore normal fluid and electrolyte levels in the body. Replacing electrolytes may be beneficial during continuous activity of longer than 2 hours, especially in a hot environment.
