Electrolytes

Electrolytes

Did you know that electrolytes allow- even control’s your body’s capability for muscles to work, heart to pump, and nervous system to communicate with your brain? This communication within the nervous system makes it possible for us to move, think and feel. They balance your pH levels, transports nutrients, help excrete waste and help balance water in the body, (the human body consists of up to 60% or more of water). An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water. Electrical conduction throughout the body is a necessary function for life.  Electrical conductivity can get very technical very quick but, that is as technical as I will get in this blog. So, let’s dive into what an electrolyte is and how we can ensure we supply our bodies with the proper amount.    

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are chemicals that provide the necessary electric charge to make the bodies automatic process efficient and unnoticeable to us. Electrolytes are in our bodily fluids such as the blood and urine.  The electrolytes in the body are:

• Bicarbonate- Is a base that works as an acid buffer and helps with your body’s pH
• Calcium- Assist in muscle contraction, nerve impulse, bones strength and clotting
• Chloride- Maintains fluid balance
• Magnesium- used in 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Helps with immune system, steady’s heartbeat, and nerve and muscle function
• Phosphate- Bone and teeth; cell energy & membrane and DNA
• Potassium- Fluid balance, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, blood pressure
• Sodium- Helps maintain fluid balance, muscle and nerve function a blood pressure

Where to get electrolytes from?

The simple answer is healthy food choices. The hard part comes in making the decision to have a healthy diet on a consistent basis. In case you are in a transition of becoming healthier or just do not know which foods you can look for here is a very abbreviated suggestive list. Make sure you stay hydrated with water, coconut water, and quality electrolyte infused drinks will be helpful, remember your body is mainly fluid. Eating food such as yogurt, raw nuts, bananas, mangoes, avocados, vegetables, beans, fish, white meats. Healthy salty snacks such as pretzels and corn tortillas chips is also a good source.

The best way to monitor your electrolytes is to ensure your daily diet is as healthy as possible. Second to that is to ensure that you receive an annual physical examination from your physician. Electrolytes are a vital part of our bodies and an imbalance to drastically affect normal functioning.