What Happens When Your Body Is Low On Electrolytes
Electrolytes are vital minerals – or, more precisely, positively or negatively charged particles. They are found in every body fluid, whether blood, urine, or sweat. Essential electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, or chloride.
The composition of the electrolytes inside and outside a body cell is usually in balance. If the electrolytes become unbalanced, the cell can no longer function properly and, in the worst case, cannot survive.
Electrolytes control numerous vital body functions. One of their tasks is to support the transmission of stimuli and impulses to our brains. They are also part of various enzyme reactions in the body, releasing stored substances and regulating our water balance. In short, without electrolytes, our organism would not function.
Our body cannot produce electrolytes itself. That is why we have to consume them daily through our food. Electrolytes can be flushed out of the body through diarrhea or sweating.
In these cases, drinking enough is essential and quickly replenishing the electrolyte balance. Otherwise, there is a risk of electrolyte deficiency, which can have life-threatening consequences.
What Happens When Your Body Has An Electrolyte Deficiency
The body’s ion concentration depends on the amount of water in the body. Diarrhea is an example of what can happen when the water balance or electrolyte balance is disrupted. With severe diarrhea – often coupled with vomiting – the body loses large amounts of water and electrolytes quickly.
The consequences can be life-threatening if the loss of fluid cannot be compensated. Diarrhea poses a high health risk, especially for the elderly and small children. The loss of water and salt can lead to dehydration. Insufficient fluid intake in summer, when it is boiling, can also lead to dehydration of the body and result in sunstroke or life-threatening heat stroke.
Symptoms of electrolyte deficiency include:
- dizziness
- Headache
- dry mouth
- strong thirst
- nausea
- Digestive disorders
- pale, sunken skin
- accelerated heartbeat/cardiac arrhythmia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness/confusion
- unconsciousness
- Muscle cramps
- Circulatory problems, including circulatory collapse and coma.
How To Compensate For Electrolyte Deficiency
If we lose electrolytes through diarrhea or increased sweating during exercise, it is essential to restore the electrolyte balance. Foods containing electrolytes help with this. To maintain balance, it is necessary to eat enough fruit and vegetables. Five portions a day are ideal. You should also drink at least two liters of water every day.
You can also compensate for an electrolyte deficiency with electrolyte solutions. Some electrolyte solutions contain both sugar and salt. These are needed for numerous metabolic processes. Combined, these substances are better absorbed into the blood via the intestines.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Your Electrolyte Levels In Balance?
Anyone concerned that their electrolyte balance is not in balance should have it checked by a doctor. A diet change can often restore the balance if a doctor diagnoses a deficiency. If this is not possible, nutritional supplements can be taken under medical supervision if the deficiency is significant.
A healthy lifestyle can generally support the body’s mineral balance. The following nutritional tips can help you:
- Drink enough. The DGE recommends that healthy adults drink around 1.5 liters of fluid daily, preferably water. The need for fluids increases after exercise, when sweating heavily, and on hot days.
- Eat plenty of vegetables, salads, and fruit. Fresh, unprocessed foods are rich in minerals and vitamins that the body needs.
- Choose the whole-grain version. Whole grains contain more minerals than white flour.
- Maintain a moderate salt intake to reduce your blood pressure risk.
