We Need Electrolytes! How to Balance True Hydration
Several years ago, I was experiencing severe neck muscle pain and no amount of medicine or remedies would make it go away. It was absolutely awful. My mornings were filled with tea or coffee drinking, and my days were busy working as a Nurse. I didn’t always hydrate, but that’s life. Well, there was a new product at Costco that caught my eye called Liquid IV; it seemed higher quality than Gatorade. Well, I bought it on a whim, and drank my first packet at work. Within 30 minutes, my debilitating neck pain was GONE! It was a miracle! I had no idea that the pain was actually from DEHYDRATION!
It was then that I tuned my senses to not just dehydration, but to the electrolytes. We all know the big push for drinking more water. Well, I’m here to advocate for electrolytes – Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, and Magnesium. These electrically charged particles attract water, and they tell the body to hold onto the water we drink and use it. In the hospital, we check electrolyte levels on our patients every single morning! That’s how important they are, and that’s also how fast they can change. The body is a nonstop working machine, constantly fluctuating and balancing. Electrolytes are absolutely crucial for proper cell functions.
What Electrolytes Do
- Muscle actions – Involved in cramps, spasms, regular heart rhythm, fatigue, and weakness
- Fluid balance – Can show up as headache, dizziness when you stand up or bend over, increased heart rate, or heat intolerance
- Nervous system firing – Can show up in mental health, as irritability, anxiety, or brain fog
How We Lose Electrolytes and Become Dehydrated
- Sweating
- Caffeine
- Alcohol consumption
- Chronic stress
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Poor intake and poor diet
- Diuretic medications
I see a few common threads in society that may be a normal routine for many. Coffee in the morning, little fluid intake during the day, and alcohol at night. Pair that with some stress, and you’ve got a set up for low electrolytes and dehydration. This can then turn into a cycle, where low electrolytes cause increased feelings of stress, irritability, muscle aches, and fatigue. Then, daily routines keep depleting them. Try changing up your routines if this resonates with you! We can help replenish these nutrients with a healthy diet, and also consider a high quality electrolyte replacement:
1. Liquid IV
This little packet is a wonderful hydrator. As I previously said, this supplement brought benefits that I didn’t even know I needed. It’s a great option, although it only contains 2 electrolytes potassium and sodium. The other ingredients are vitamins. After some time, I did not like how much sugar it contained and how sweet it was. So I researched other options, and I considered trying LMNT.
2. Salt Stick Electrolyte Capsules
I found the golden winner! This is an incredible electrolyte supplement! It has all the major electrolytes. I love everything about it – its simple ingredients, no sugar, no stevia or weird additives, and the fact that it’s not some powder that I have to drink. It’s just a capsule. Of course, drink water with it so that the electrolytes have fluid to hold onto! Link to Salt Stick Electrolyte Capsules
3. Coconut Water
An amazing, strong option in electrolyte replacement! Coconut water is nature’s complex creation supplying our bodies needs for hydration! Especially high in potassium, it also contains sodium, and sometimes magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus – depending on the brand. What a powerhouse! Check the labels for the electrolytes included since I see that each brand contains a different mixture.
4. Pedialyte
Especially designed for electrolyte replacement during sickness, this contains the 2 main electrolytes potassium and sodium, plus zinc – which is included to help heal the gut during sickness. Pedialyte also includes sugar which is needed during times of diarrhea and vomiting, since food intake is usually poor. So Pedialyte is a go-to for diarrhea and sickness specifically.
