What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are defined as chemicals in the body that are made up of positive and negative ions. When mixed with water, these electrolytes conduct electricity. Example of electrolytes includes Sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. We gain these electrolytes through certain foods and beverages that we consume. Examples of foods that have high electrolytes include watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, and lemons. Additionally, electrolyte drinks are also a good alternative.
What Do Electrolytes Do?
- Regulate the fluid levels in blood plasma and the body
- Keep the pH (acid/alkaline) of your blood in the normal range (7.35-7.45, slightly alkaline)
- Enable muscle contractions, including the beating of your heart
- Transmit nerve signals from heart, muscle, and nerve cells to other cells
- Help blood clot
- Help build new tissue
What Causes an Electrolyte Imbalance?
- Severe dehydration
- Losing fluids because of persistent vomiting or diarrhea, sweating or fever
- Medications such as steroids, diuretics, and laxatives
- Poor diet
- Not drinking or eating enough
- Disruption of the acid-base balance, which is the proportion of acids and alkalis in the body
- Congestive heart failure
- Cancer treatment
- Kidney disease
- Age, as the kidneys of older adults, become less efficient over time
Electrolytes and Dehydration
Most of the time, electrolytes are linked with hydration. They are in your bodily fluids, which are more than just water. Therefore, drinking water by itself is often not enough to relieve dehydration. You also need the right electrolyte levels. The fastest way to relieve dehydration is by consuming electrolyte drinks, beverages and other rehydration drinks that contain both electrolytes and water.
Anyone can become dehydrated, and most people will experience dehydration at some point in their lives. Some potential causes of dehydration may include excess sweating, consuming too much salt or sugar, loss of fluids due to vomiting or diarrhea, hot weather, and being at a high altitude. All these problems can be alleviated with a good electrolyte drink or a good hydrolyte icy pole.
Southland has you covered whether you have employees working in a hot factory, warehouse, or on a construction site, are a regular at the gym, or anything in between. For electrolyte-enhanced drinks and icy poles see rehydration drinks or visit our website at https://www.southland.com.au/ or contact us at 1800 77 22 91.
