Natural Electrolyte Drink
That's Better For You, and
May Rehydrate Better!!!

By Dr. Ritu Krishnatreye, BHMS
Natural electrolyte drink

During a gruelling spin class or rigorous exercise session, you may think of reaching for a neon-green Gatorade or Endurance Sports Drink.

Yes, these drinks are better than nothing, but are they the best choice for replenishing lost electrolytes?

At least 4 electrolytes are needed

Excessive sweating results in a loss of water AND important electrolytes.

Magnesium, chlorine, potassium and sodium are the four major electrolytes that you need to rehydrate your body. 

When these 4 major electrolytes are not replaced, it can result in dehydration, headaches, muscle cramping, weakness and dizziness.

Magnesium is especially helpful for:

• Preventing cramping and headaches
• Helping with oxygen utilization and added energy

Trace mineral electrolytes are important as well.

Most electrolyte sports drinks come up short

Gatorade is the most popular sports drink for rehydration. Some question just how healthy this product is for us. PowerBar is another popular electrolyte drink. What many may not realize is that most of these electrolyte replacement sports drinks only boast of 1 or 2 electrolytes, potassium and sodium.

Some defend the extra sugar in energy drinks by arguing that carbohydrates need to be included for energy. Recent research challenges the validity of carb loading.

Research even shows that drinking large amounts of sports electrolyte drinks contributes to dental problems, due to the sugar content.

Questionable additives

Guzzling sports drinks can also add calories, sugar and toxins from artificial flavors, sweeteners and colors. Some have High Fructose Corn Syrup and numerous chemicals. Do you really want these additional items when you are trying to rehydrate?

A more perfect rehydration solution

Where can you find an electrolyte solution that contains the 4 main electrolytes, plus valuable trace mineral electrolytes?

The ocean.

Yes. Low sodium concentrated sea minerals naturally contain all of these electrolytes.

How Each Electrolyte Enhances the Body

1. Benefits of Potassium

Potassium plays a major role in maintaining water and electrolyte balance in the body. A low level of potassium (hypokalemia) is often associated with severe symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Muscle cramping
• Irregular heart beat
• Weakness

Why potassium is so important

• Potassium helps with muscle contraction and relaxation.
  
  
• Potassium is required for the proper functioning of various enzymes in the body.
  
  
• Potassium is an important component in the process of digestion and metabolism.
  
  
• Studies have found that potassium helps in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a common condition that leads to a weakening of bones, making them more susceptible to fractures.
  
  
• Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining cardiovascular health.
  
  
• Potassium helps to keep blood pressure in check, and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

2. Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is needed for muscle repair after exercise

A deficiency of magnesium is often associated with structural damage to muscle cells, which hampers the process of recovery after exercise.

Magnesium assists in muscle repair and improves athletic performance. Hence, those who are involved in sports or other physical activity should include the electrolyte magnesium.

Magnesium does the following

• It is an essential component of cell reproduction and protein formation
  
  
• It is pivotal in maintaining control of the sodium and potassium pump (the mechanism responsible for removing sodium from cells, and allowing potassium to enter them).
  
  
• It helps to lower the risk of coronary artery diseases
  
  
• It helps in preventing hypertension
  
  
• It helps in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease

Magnesium is also important for improving psychological health.

Magnesium supplements have been found to be effective in relieving the symptoms of depression and insomnia. 

Why No Sports Drink is Complete Without Magnesium

When your body sweats out other electrolytes, it also sweats out magnesium. Not replacing the electrolyte magnesium can be costly.

• Magnesium is required in over 300 biochemical cell reactions
  
  
• It is needed for muscle contraction and muscle relaxation
  
  
• It is needed for the production of ATP, the body’s major energy producer
  
  
• It helps in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart diseases

3. Benefits of Chloride

Chloride is vital to health. As an electrolyte, chloride has the ability to move effortlessly through cell membranes and almost all parts of the body.

Chlorine works with other electrolytes to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance within the body. It therefore plays a vital role in treating the symptoms of dehydration. 

• Chlorine, the negative ion, acts as a neutralizing agent that balances positive electrolyte ions, helping the body to maintain proper alkaline levels, which improves overall physical health. In short, it balances the positive sodium, magnesium and potassium ions to help maintain optimal pH in the body.
  
  
• Chloride helps the digestive system to eliminate waste products by helping the liver in its cleansing action.
  
  
• Chloride helps to regulate the flow of fluids in and out of blood vessels and tissues.
  
  
• Chloride is an important element of hydrochloric acid, the vital juice required for healthy digestion. 

Studies have found that seawater has almost the exact same amount of chloride ions as human body fluids. 

4. Benefits of Sodium

Sodium plays a pivotal role in various enzyme reactions and biochemical reactions.

• Sodium helps to maintain proper fluid balance and regulate electrolyte concentration in the body
  
  
• It helps in muscle contraction and relaxation and helps to prevent muscle cramps
  
  
• It helps in sustaining regular blood pH levels, which is a good indicator of health
  
  
• It helps in maintaining normal blood pressure
  
  
• It assists in the normal function of nerves and muscles

A deficiency of sodium in the body can lead to:

• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Muscular irritability

Too much sodium isn't good, either

Although a deficiency of sodium is associated with various signs and symptoms, an excess of sodium is also to be avoided. It is responsible for causing high blood pressure and cerebral oedema.

Make a Great Sports Electrolyte Drink at Home

Want a sports electrolyte drink that contains potassium, chloride, magnesium and sodium, plus trace mineral electrolytes?

Why not put together your own all natural electrolyte drink - using Ionic Sea Minerals.

Here are the ingredients:

1 liter of water

1 teaspoon of Ionic Sea Minerals

1/8 teaspoon of sea salt (optional)

(the sea salt is optional, to provide added sodium that may be
needed to help eliminate muscle cramps caused by heavy sweating) 

For flavoring, lemonade does a good job of masking the somewhat bitter taste of electrolytes.
In a taste test between a number of natural lemonade mixes, Crystal Lite Pure Lemonade won hands down.

Another alternative is to mix a tsp. of sea minerals into 2 or 3 liters of water. For many, this is enough water to dilute the sea minerals down to an acceptable, slightly salty flavor.

Conclusion, natural electrolyte drink

• A natural electrolyte drink should have a good balance of chloride, magnesium, potassium and sodium, plus trace mineral electrolytes
  
  
• A sea mineral concentrate contains all of these
  
  
• Next time, instead of buying a Gatorade, PowerBar or Powerade, why not put together your own? Drink it straight, or flavor and sweeten to your taste.

Imagine eliminating headaches that come after exercising

Imagine no more muscle cramps after hard workouts

Imagine a quicker rebound

Imagine all these benefits in an inexpensive,

all natural sports drink you make yourself!!!

Don’t wait. Get a bottle today and experience
this rehydration remedy for yourself.

Get yours now!

(Return from Natural Electrolyte Drink to What is an Electrolyte)