What Are Electrolytes And Why Are They Important For You?
Electrolytes are certainly for the most part the most misinterpreted and complicated elements in our bodies. At the best of times asking the question what are electrolytes and why they are important for our bodies people find it hard to understand. Yet, although it may sound entirely complicated, when taken step for step, it is easy to comprehend and why they are so vitally important for our bodies.
What Are Electrolytes?
In a nutshell, electrolytes are mostly minerals that are found in our blood and other fluids in our bodies that are electrically charged. They have vital functions in the body. It is vital for the hydration and the balancing of hydration of the body, the acidity of our blood, and is crucial for proper nerve function and muscle functioning.
The most common and important electrolytes in our bodies are:
- Bicarbonate
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
What Are The Functions Of These Electrolytes?
- Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate helps to control the acidity levels. It helps to prevent the accumulation of acid in the blood that prevents muscle cramps and fatigue. - Calcium
Calcium is the most profuse mineral in the human body and has a number of important uses in the body. It is well known that calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth, but has an important role to play in muscle health as well. This includes heart, skeletal and fine muscle contractions, and normal functioning of the muscles. Therefore calcium is vital for a healthy heart rhythm and the regulation of muscle contractions. It also plays an important role in nerve signalling, cell division, and blood clotting. - Chloride
Chloride helps to maintain the fluid balance in your body. - Magnesium
Magnesium and calcium function together. While calcium helps muscles to contract, magnesium helps them to relax again. Magnesium is also important for enzyme related reactions and the healthy metabolism of glucose. Magnesium is also important for a healthy heart rhythm, digestion, lowering anxiety levels, nerve function, and maintaining a stable protein balance in fluids. - Potassium
Potassium assist in keeping your blood pressure levels balanced, controlling the contractions of your heart, and assist with muscle functions. In combination with sodium, potassium assists in the prevention and alleviation of muscle cramps. - Sodium
Sodium plays a vital role in the maintaining of fluid balances in the body, is needed for proper muscle functioning, and plays an important role in nerve signalling. Sodium is one of the most common electrolytes that get lost due to perspiration.
When we perspire, our bodies lose not only fluids, but these important electrolytes as well. When an imbalance or a shortage of these electrolytes occurs, it can cause varying levels of symptoms in the body, it is best to therefore address early and avoid any further problems or medical emergencies
How to replenish electrolytes?
We can easily hydrate and replace the fluids that are lost with water; however, water will not replenish the lost electrolytes.
The best and most accurate way to replace the lost electrolytes is to use a scientifically formulated electrolyte drink that is formulated according to the World Health Organisation’s standards.
SOS Hydration offers excellent electrolyte replacement drinks that are scientifically formulated according to the standards of the WHO. SOS Hydration is able to replace fluids and all of the vital electrolytes that are critically important for proper body functioning rapidly that will provide you with results quickly and effectively, so you don’t even have to think about an IV drip.
