One of my friends is in the hospital today as a result of low electrolyte levels. I was pretty familiar with this condition as my mother experienced it once. I knew it had something to do with imbalance of salt in the body, to get a clearer definition. Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD explains that “Electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. The balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs.”
My friend was told that she drank too much water and that pushed her over the edge. Exactly how did THAT happen, I wondered? I thought lots of water was good for you. The Electrolytes article notes that tests done to determine appropriate levels in your body measure sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. As anyone who ever took high school chemistry knows, sodium (Na+) and chloride combine to form common table salt. Excessive salt intake is excreted in urine. Sodium, the major positive ion found in the fluid outside of cells helps regulate the total amount of water in the body as well as transmission of sodium into and out of each cell.
Additionally, sodium, being the major positive ion, plays a big role in critical body processes like the brain, nervous system, and muscles, because they require electrical signals for communication. If sodium levels become either too high or too low, things start going out of whack! Too little can even be fatal! Potassium is the major positive ion found inside the cell. So now we have a positive ion outside the cell (sodium) and a positive ion inside the cell. Nope, still no electricity!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sports Drinks and Vitalyte
A Variety of Color and Flavor Choices
If you think that the color of a sports drink does not make a difference, spend a few minutes at the snack bar at a Little League field. Children, and many adults, find the color choice very important. Color can invoke a mood such as a cool blue color giving the feel of thirst quenching mountain water or a hot red color invoking the image of energy. It may be psychological, but it is still important.
Those who drink sports drinks also have taste preferences, and with the variety of sports drinks offered today, there is a choice for every taste.
They Don't "Run Through" a Body as Quickly as Water
Water may quench thirst, but it doesn't replenish any of the lost electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals that sports drinks can. Although all of these things are lost during sweating, they can also be lost through urination. Water causes more frequent urination than sports drinks do. Therefore, sports drinks not only replenish these important electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, they also can help the body hold on to the ones they already have for a longer period of time.
The main ingredient in any sports drink is, of course, water. Water is important for re-hydration. The additional ingredients in sports drinks make them a better choice than water alone for athletes and others who exert a lot of energy and need to replenish the essential nutrients that have been quickly depleted in their bodies.
If you think that the color of a sports drink does not make a difference, spend a few minutes at the snack bar at a Little League field. Children, and many adults, find the color choice very important. Color can invoke a mood such as a cool blue color giving the feel of thirst quenching mountain water or a hot red color invoking the image of energy. It may be psychological, but it is still important.
Those who drink sports drinks also have taste preferences, and with the variety of sports drinks offered today, there is a choice for every taste.
They Don't "Run Through" a Body as Quickly as Water
Water may quench thirst, but it doesn't replenish any of the lost electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals that sports drinks can. Although all of these things are lost during sweating, they can also be lost through urination. Water causes more frequent urination than sports drinks do. Therefore, sports drinks not only replenish these important electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, they also can help the body hold on to the ones they already have for a longer period of time.
The main ingredient in any sports drink is, of course, water. Water is important for re-hydration. The additional ingredients in sports drinks make them a better choice than water alone for athletes and others who exert a lot of energy and need to replenish the essential nutrients that have been quickly depleted in their bodies.
Replenishing Your Energy
Replenishment of Energy
Anyone who has ever exercised knows that fatigue can occur quickly. One of the reasons for this is that exercise increases metabolism, and when a person's metabolism is working overtime, it breaks down carbohydrates quickly. Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body.
By replacing lost carbohydrates, the body can continue to work efficiently and an athlete has more energy to complete their activity.
Replacement of Lost Vitamins and Minerals
The human body also draws energy from various vitamins and minerals only found in certain foods, beverages or supplements. Sports drinks contain these vitamins and minerals to help keep the body working efficiently during activity.
Quenching of Thirst
As the body loses fluids, a person who is exerting energy will become thirsty. The ingredients found in sports drinks can quench thirst as effectively as water and better than soft drinks leaving the person feeling more refreshed and energized.
The Right Balance of Ingredients
In the past, many athletes created their own energy/sports drinks. Some still do. However, a sports drink that has a proper balance of ingredients will be much more effective than a homemade version. Most commercial sports drinks have the correct balance of electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and liquids. Without the right mix of ingredients in the proper amounts, a sports drink could hinder instead of enhance performance. Upset stomach or poor absorption rate of the drink could occur from the wrong balance of ingredients.
Anyone who has ever exercised knows that fatigue can occur quickly. One of the reasons for this is that exercise increases metabolism, and when a person's metabolism is working overtime, it breaks down carbohydrates quickly. Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body.
By replacing lost carbohydrates, the body can continue to work efficiently and an athlete has more energy to complete their activity.
Replacement of Lost Vitamins and Minerals
The human body also draws energy from various vitamins and minerals only found in certain foods, beverages or supplements. Sports drinks contain these vitamins and minerals to help keep the body working efficiently during activity.
Quenching of Thirst
As the body loses fluids, a person who is exerting energy will become thirsty. The ingredients found in sports drinks can quench thirst as effectively as water and better than soft drinks leaving the person feeling more refreshed and energized.
The Right Balance of Ingredients
In the past, many athletes created their own energy/sports drinks. Some still do. However, a sports drink that has a proper balance of ingredients will be much more effective than a homemade version. Most commercial sports drinks have the correct balance of electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and liquids. Without the right mix of ingredients in the proper amounts, a sports drink could hinder instead of enhance performance. Upset stomach or poor absorption rate of the drink could occur from the wrong balance of ingredients.
Benefits of Electrolytes
It has been 50 years since the sports drink was introduced to athletes in the United States. The first sports drink, Bengal Punch, was given to athletes at Louisiana State University in 1958. Gatorade, the most recognizable name in sports drinks, debuted the following decade at the University of Florida and revolutionized the way athletes energize and re-hydrate themselves during a sporting event.
Since then, other sports drinks similar to Gatorade have been introduced to the market, including Glaceau Vitamin Water. These drinks are incredibly popular with adult and teen athletes, as well as beverage consumers in general.
The main ingredients that sports drinks contain which enhance athletic performance are electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Athletes can gain many benefits from sports drinks while they are physically active. Among the most important of these aspects are:
Replenishment of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that are naturally part of body fluids. When an athlete (or a gardener or a mail carrier or anyone else who engages in physical activity) sweats, electrolytes are lost through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore them as rapidly as they were lost. Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium, and potassium to help replenish what was lost through sweat. Introducing electrolytes back into the body helps keep dehydration from occurring. Dehydration can become a very serious problem if not attended to. Electrolytes help to increase the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.
A person who is exerting energy can quickly become dehydrated, in as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, it is suggested that athletes begin drinking a sports drink even before they start their activity.
Since then, other sports drinks similar to Gatorade have been introduced to the market, including Glaceau Vitamin Water. These drinks are incredibly popular with adult and teen athletes, as well as beverage consumers in general.
The main ingredients that sports drinks contain which enhance athletic performance are electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Athletes can gain many benefits from sports drinks while they are physically active. Among the most important of these aspects are:
Replenishment of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that are naturally part of body fluids. When an athlete (or a gardener or a mail carrier or anyone else who engages in physical activity) sweats, electrolytes are lost through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore them as rapidly as they were lost. Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium, and potassium to help replenish what was lost through sweat. Introducing electrolytes back into the body helps keep dehydration from occurring. Dehydration can become a very serious problem if not attended to. Electrolytes help to increase the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.
A person who is exerting energy can quickly become dehydrated, in as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, it is suggested that athletes begin drinking a sports drink even before they start their activity.
You Need Electrolytes
When your electrolytes are truly balanced, there are all types of little health nuances you may have that will just go away. Let's face it, we all have little health issues and we aren't sure what causes them. Anyone with any type of illness, disease or major health concern should start taking electrolytes immediately.
The Usual Misconceptions About Electrolytes!
Usually if someone feels dehydrated, they drink water or a sports drink. I used to do the same. Sports drinks provide carbohydrates, which are important for active people. Sports drinks have lots of glucose in them. Marathoners, endurance athletes, hikers and bikers crave quick energy when working, so it's easy to see why they would grab a sports drink.
Water dilutes electrolytes and creates a greater electrolyte imbalance. Drinking water is very important and honestly, most people don't drink enough. Drinking water unfortunately makes people with electrolyte imbalance worse off. Mineral water contains a variety of minerals that upsets electrolyte balance.
How Do You Get Electrolytes?
In the "old" days people used to get their electrolytes from cooking down animal bones into soups and broths. Even though it's not a perfectly balanced way of getting electrolytes, electrolytes can be replaced this way.
Even though drinking a bone soup broth may be hard to swallow after a hard workout or during the summertime when soup really isn't on the menu, there are other ways (thanks to science) of getting the perfect balance that's VERY convenient.
The Usual Misconceptions About Electrolytes!
Usually if someone feels dehydrated, they drink water or a sports drink. I used to do the same. Sports drinks provide carbohydrates, which are important for active people. Sports drinks have lots of glucose in them. Marathoners, endurance athletes, hikers and bikers crave quick energy when working, so it's easy to see why they would grab a sports drink.
Water dilutes electrolytes and creates a greater electrolyte imbalance. Drinking water is very important and honestly, most people don't drink enough. Drinking water unfortunately makes people with electrolyte imbalance worse off. Mineral water contains a variety of minerals that upsets electrolyte balance.
How Do You Get Electrolytes?
In the "old" days people used to get their electrolytes from cooking down animal bones into soups and broths. Even though it's not a perfectly balanced way of getting electrolytes, electrolytes can be replaced this way.
Even though drinking a bone soup broth may be hard to swallow after a hard workout or during the summertime when soup really isn't on the menu, there are other ways (thanks to science) of getting the perfect balance that's VERY convenient.
Electrolyte Imbalance and Poor Health
Replace The Electrolytes You Use Everyday!
Not enough health advisers/practitioners talk about electrolytes and yet so many health issues can be resolved by keeping an electrolyte balance.
Electrolyte replacement is NOT just for athletes. It is critical for athletes but still imperative for everybody. Just about everyone is running around deficient in electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for active bodies...this means shopping, working, driving, sleeping...you're losing electrolytes all day and all night long.
Feeling Fatigued? There's A Good Chance It's Because You're Deficient In Electrolytes!
Electrolytes give the body the electrical charge that keeps the heart, muscles and nervous system working properly. Fatigue, heavy sweating (or not sweating at all), cold hands or feet and susceptibility to colds are sign of a really bad imbalance.
Not enough health advisers/practitioners talk about electrolytes and yet so many health issues can be resolved by keeping an electrolyte balance.
Electrolyte replacement is NOT just for athletes. It is critical for athletes but still imperative for everybody. Just about everyone is running around deficient in electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for active bodies...this means shopping, working, driving, sleeping...you're losing electrolytes all day and all night long.
Feeling Fatigued? There's A Good Chance It's Because You're Deficient In Electrolytes!
Electrolytes give the body the electrical charge that keeps the heart, muscles and nervous system working properly. Fatigue, heavy sweating (or not sweating at all), cold hands or feet and susceptibility to colds are sign of a really bad imbalance.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Dehydration Causes Fatigue; How to Avoid This
Tiredness is something that plagues us all at times, and it is hard to know if your tiredness is excessive or normal. Regardless of its extent, there are quite a few simple things one can do to cure tiredness with minimal effort and just slight lifestyle changes. Dehydration symptoms are often a factor in tiredness. "If you become dehydrated, you reduce your blood volume so your heart's got to work harder to pump the same volume around," says Dr Trent Watson, spokesman for the Dietitians' Association of Australia. Here are a few ways to promote health and alertness, reduce fatigue, and remain hydrated.
Dehydration symptoms may include headaches, muscle cramps, visual impairment and lowered blood pressure or hypotension. Even dizziness and fainting can be dehydration symptoms and in extreme cases delirium and unconsciousness have been known to become present. Of course, dehydration that isn’t addressed can eventually cause death.
It only takes a 2% loss of ones normal water volume in the body to start experiencing dehydration symptoms. Thirst is the first thing people usually notice. Dry skin and constipation are additional early warning signs. What’s more, athletes may experience a reduction in athletic performance when they are dehydrated.
Dehydration symptoms may include headaches, muscle cramps, visual impairment and lowered blood pressure or hypotension. Even dizziness and fainting can be dehydration symptoms and in extreme cases delirium and unconsciousness have been known to become present. Of course, dehydration that isn’t addressed can eventually cause death.
It only takes a 2% loss of ones normal water volume in the body to start experiencing dehydration symptoms. Thirst is the first thing people usually notice. Dry skin and constipation are additional early warning signs. What’s more, athletes may experience a reduction in athletic performance when they are dehydrated.
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