Let's get back to the basics with understanding what electrolytes actually are, how to balance them, and where to find clean sources.
WHAT ARE ELECTROLYTES?
Electrolytes are essential minerals—like sodium, calcium, and potassium— that carry an electric charge and are vital to many key functions in the body. They are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids.
Electrolytes are important because they help balance the amount of water in your body, support your body's acid-base (pH) level, move nutrients into your cells, move waste out of your cells, and ensure that your nerves, muscles, heart, and brain are functioning optimally.
An electrolyte imbalance can result from a poor diet, too little or too much exercise, illness, dehydration, over-hydration, taking certain medications, or having certain heart, kidney, or liver disorders.
HOW DO I BALANCE THEM?
Begin with a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Ensure you’re drinking plenty of hydrating beverages, like water and clean electrolyte sources.
CLEAN ELECTROLYTE SOURCES
Harmless Harvest Coconut Water. This delicious, organic, minimally processed hydrating beverage has naturally occurring electrolytes from the coconut in which it's made. With no added sugar and only one ingredient, this is an awesome electrolyte beverage with many health benefits.
Bone Broth. More hydrating than water, bone broth is a mineral-rich beverage made by boiling bones, water, and vegetables for a long time. This ancient beverage has been known to boost immunity and improve digestion.
Himalayan Sea Salt + Lemon. A quick, DIY electrolyte beverage can be made by combining a pinch of Himalayan sea salt and a squeeze of organic lemon (or any citrus). Himalayan sea salt carries with it 84 trace minerals that act as sponges for our cells to absorb the water. The squeeze of lemon is a pop of fresh flavor as well as a good source of vitamin c.
Your Routine Packets. While the average person will have well-balanced electrolytes simply from food and drinks alone, there are certain circumstances where one would want to supplement to ensure proper balance. In those cases, Your Routine packets are a great, affordable option to add to your water.
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SOURCES
1. “Fluid and Electrolyte Balance.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 Mar. 2020, medlineplus.gov/fluidandelectrolytebalance.html.
2. Lewis, James L. “Overview of Electrolytes - Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders.” Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/overview-of-electrolytes.
3. Levy, Jillian. “Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance, Plus How To Solve It.” Dr. Axe, 1 Nov. 2019, draxe.com/health/electrolyte-imbalance/.
4. Lewis, Merck Manuals.
5. Ibid.
6. Levy, Dr. Axe.
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