Electrolytes

The most common electrolyte salts in our bodies are: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate.

The balance of these salts in our bodies is key for normal cell and organ function.

Commonly these essential salts are lost through excessive sweating and bodily excretion.

Discover these naturally in your diet

Sodium

Sodium is the major positive ion in fluid outside of cells. It regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body functions.

The body excretes excess sodium in urine – we pee it out.

Many processes in the body, especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals for communication. Sodium is critical in the generation of these electrical signals. Too much or too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, too much or too little in the bloodstream can be fatal.

Increased sodium. This can be caused by kidney disease or dehydration. Not drinking enough water or the loss of water due to diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Decreased concentration of sodium. Diseases of the liver and kidney, patients with congestive heart failure, burn victims, and many other conditions.

Sodium rich foods: Celery is a great natural source of sodium, adding celery to your juices is a great thing to do in hot climates. Most greens are also great sources of sodium.

Most foods have sodium within them, plus the use of natural salts such as Celtic, Himalayan rock salt, sea salt.

Herbs: Black willow, chives, calamus, clivers, Irish moss, mistletoe, nettles, okra pods, sorrel, watercress.

Herbs

Potassium

Potassium is the major positive ion found inside cells. Potassium in the body regulates the heartbeat and the function of the muscles.

Smooth muscle contraction: Potassium helps regulates normal smooth muscle functions of your heart, movement of body, and movement of intestines.

Regulates nerve impulses: Helps maintain pathways from nerves to brain.

Blood pressure: Low levels of potassium can create higher blood pressure.

Prevent stroke: Research has shown that people who have low potassium levels are at greater risk of stroke, likely because their blood pressure is also higher.

Potassium rich foods: Bananas, coconut water, orange juice, avocados, cantaloupe, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, kidney beans, black eyed peas.

Herbs: Alfalfa, chamomile, carrot leaves, dandelion root, kelp, nettles, plantain leaves.

Living in high heat and humidity, sweating excessively and not replacing fluids adequately, or just getting too much salt in your diet can throw off the balance of potassium, causing you to need more of it.

Things that can decrease potassium levels:

Diuretics used to treat high blood pressure. Insulin.
Laxatives. Fluconazole, theophylline (asthma).
Antacids. Excessive sweating, through exercise or work activity.
Bowel conditions which cause frequent bowel movements.

Symptoms associated with low potassium:

Muscle cramps, especially of the legs and feet. Weakness.
Fatigue, lack of energy. Stomach upsets.

Chloride

Chloride is the major negatively charged ion found in the fluid outside of cells and in the blood. Chloride helps the body maintain a normal balance of fluids.

Coconut water has the same levels of nutrients as human blood, containing perfect levels of chloride, which makes it perfectly isotonic.

Fresh coconuts are used as emergency IVs in tropical countries.

Chloride rich foods: Coconut water, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, olives, seaweed, rye.

Increased chloride: May be seen in diarrhea, certain kidney diseases, and sometimes in over activity of the parathyroid glands.
Decreased chloride: Chloride is normally lost in the urine, sweat, and stomach secretions. Major loss can occur from heavy sweating, vomiting, and adrenal gland and kidney disease.