After
downing a generic Gatorade drink with my friend Jeff, he asked
if I ever thought about electrolytes. Of course we all know
electrolytes for batteries are a compound which produces ions
when dissolved in a solution such as water. They can be
divided into acids, bases, and salts.
However, I had not
thought much about what an electrolyte means when it comes to
our body, so it sent me on a search. Interesting that it has the
same definition. It is basically a substance that conducts
electricity when dissolved in water. We most often see the term
in conjunction with sports drinks. The main reason is that
bodily potassium and sodium electrolytes are lost in sweat
during exercise. There are other causes for electrolyte
imbalances, including vomiting, diarrhea, poor diet,
dehydration, congestive heart failure, cancer treatment, and
some drugs.
Electrolytes are
essential for a number of bodily functions and are regulated in
the body by our kidneys, along with hormones. Many automatic
processes in the body rely on a small electric current to
function, and electrolytes provide this charge. They regulate
nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood
acidity and pressure, and help rebuild damaged tissue. In
addition, heart, muscle, and nerve cells use electrolytes to
carry electrical impulses to other cells.
Fruits and vegetables
are good sources of electrolytes. Common electrolytes include
bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium,
and sodium.
Incidentally, unless
you are a professional athlete or running marathons, you
are probably getting a sufficient amount of
electrolytes from your regular diet. Consuming sports drinks
adds calories and increases levels of electrolytes you do not
need.