What are electrolytes in body?

Electrolytes are salts that conduct electricity and are found in the body fluid, tissue, and blood. Examples are chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

 What is the use of electrolyte?

When dissolved in water, electrolytes separate into positively and negatively charged ions.  Your body's nerve reactions and muscle function are dependent..

..upon the proper exchange of these electrolyte ions outside and inside cells.

• Calcium           : Necessary for muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, cell division, and healthy bones and teeth
• Chloride           : Maintains fluid balance in the body
• Potassium        : Regulates heart contraction, helps maintain fluid balance
• Magnesium      : Necessary for muscle contraction, nerve function, heart rhythm, bone strength, generation of energy, and buildup of protein
• Sodium                        : Maintains fluid balance and necessary for muscle contraction and nerve function

How is electrolyte imbalance caused?

Excessive ingestion; diminished elimination of an electrolyte will cause electrolyte imbalance. It is commonly caused by loss of body fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, or high fever.

What are the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance?

• Extreme fatigue
• Belly bloat
• Headaches and/or dizziness
• Problems focusing/mental confusion
• Poor memory
• Irritability
• Constipation and/or chronic indigestion
• Achy joints, bones and muscles
• Excessive muscle twitching
• High blood pressure / heart rhythm irregularities

Precautions for people who work out more?

• Hydrate during long periods of exercise. It's crucial to not only replace the fluid lost to sweat, but also the electrolytes.

• Recognize that lightheadedness, cramping, confusion, nausea, muscle spasms and twitches are all symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance. This can be caused from either too much or not enough fluid replenishment.

• Drink sports drinks. Drinking water alone during strenuous sports activities doesn't replace electrolytes. It decreases the amount of electrolytes in your body. Hydrate with water, but include sports drinks that contain sodium and glucose to keep your electrolyte balance in check.

• Take precautions based on the intensity of the exercise, not the weather. While an electrolyte imbalance can occur more easily when exercising in hot weather due to increased sweating, it can also appear in cooler temperatures.

• Protect your health during longer workouts by taking a form of electrolyte replacement in tablet form. Tomato juice is also a good source of the minerals your body needs for proper electrolyte levels.