I wanted to give a brief overview of what electrolytes are exactly, why they are vital for our overall health and when you can benefit from supplementing with them. Being hydrated is so important, not only for our skin health, but also for our overall wellbeing. Electrolytes actually bring water INTO your cells. Which is why they are key for optimal hydration. You can drink plain water, but without a good amount of minerals in it, you are not actually hydrating your cells. There are many ways to get more electrolytes into your body. We will talk about that below!
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals, such as, calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium. Once these are emerged in water and into our body, they are then electrically charged. And these charged mineral ions, are what sends signals through our bodies, that aid in many major and important functions. Such as, nerve impulses, regulating blood pressure, maintaining proper PH in our body, and they help to send signals to our brains, our nerves and our muscles, in order to function properly.
When we need to supplement
Anyone who is sweating a lot. This would include, athletes most definitely, but also those who work out 30 minutes or more, those participating in a sports game, those who are using saunas regularly and those who are in the. sun and hot temperatures a lot. These people can all benefit from using electrolytes. When we sweat, we are losing a lot of the important minerals, that our bodies need to function and perform. This can leave us feeling short of breath, weakened and even get a little bit spacey. Low electrolytes can also cause muscle cramping. (leg cramps, Charlie horses and muscle twitches)
When you are sick, having diarrhea or vomiting, this is when it is also very important to replenish your electrolyte content, as we loose a lot of our mineral content through vomiting and diarrhea, as well as sweating.
People that have adrenal issues, adrenal insufficiency or that have a condition called POTS, usually all benefit from using electrolytes, as they support healthy adrenal gland function.
You can ask your medical professional more about these issues and if electrolytes are are beneficial for you.
Ways to get electrolytes
Pupular sports drinks such as Powerade or gatorade have electrolytes, but they also have lots of sugar and food dye in them, so I would recommend staying away from those. They do make a natural organic version of those sports drinks called “Recharge.” You can also drink coconut water for a good source of electrolytes, it is especially higher in Potassium. They make enhanced waters, with electrolytes added into them. There is a local company where I live, that offers a liquid concentrate of electrolytes, called Lyte Balance. You just pour a capful or two into a glass of water or beverage. It makes 64 drinks per bottle! You can order this on Amazon. There are also many brands that make powdered versions of electrolytes. This makes it very easy and convenient to take on the go and add it to your daily water cups/bottles. You can pack them with you when you travel, bring them to the gym during your workouts. going to work, running errands, etc. Some cleaner brands that I have tried are, LMNT, Instant Hydration and Ultima. I like the mineral content balance that Instant Hydration provides, myself. Other ways to get electrolytes are from pickle juice and foods we eat, such as avocados, bananas and sweet potatoes, to name a few. You may also put a little bit of pink salt or celtic salt into water, as these two types of salt have a higher concentration of trace minerals that we all need. If you have not tried electrolyte powders before, they are very salty tasting and can take a little time getting used to, but it will get better once you adjust to the taste. I find myself craving them now!
If you have any further questions about electrolytes, I would advise you to check out the websites of any of the above companies, as they go into much more depth about the importance of electrolytes and how and when to use them appropriately!
Of course, this is not medical advice. I am not a medical practitioner, so always be sure to check and ask questions with your Dr if you have questions regarding your health. Thanks for taking the time to read this overview on electrolytes and how they can help us stay hydrated at the cell level. Cozy Up…and Be Well!
Sources to look at provided below:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24019-electrolyte-imbalance
https://lytebalance.com/srsltid=AfmBOopVpYqD77MQqlhrWsvFLf0bf4y11KzD5Ugc9o2re7mPMyhz01Bn
COZY UP WELLNESS 