So Electrolytes Aren’t Just for Athletes?
For the longest time, when I heard the word electrolytes, I associated it with working out. Thinking the only time I needed to worry about drinking electrolytes was after hitting the gym hard. With not liking the taste of Gatorade, even after a good workout, I would most likely pass on electrolytes, hoping the peanut butter and banana smoothie would get me through.
In reality, I had no idea what the word electrolytes actually meant or why it mattered. But a month after turning 30, completing my first half marathon, then traveling to Mexico like I was still 22; I found myself spending the following week stuck in a bathroom, sure I was dying. I was careful on the trip and ate the same food and drinks as my sister who was fine. I thought maybe it was the ice in that one fateful margarita. Or maybe her 27 year old body is still able to keep up with a pace my 30s wouldn’t allow.
When I finally gave in to a trip to quick care, I was quickly told I needed electrolytes to help with severe dehydration. The remedy: to drink sodium based electrolytes such as Gatorade (yuck!). I opted for propel and what do you know, $200 and 48 hours later I felt back to normal!
So what are electrolytes and why are they so vital to our bodies? Our cells utilize electrolytes to conduct electrical charges helping create chemical reactions, specifically for our muscles to contract and to properly hydrate and balance fluids in our cells. The key elements of electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride. We obtain these elements through our food and drinks naturally but sometimes things can get off balance. This can be especially true with weather changes and activity levels.
It is always good to talk to your doctor and check these levels if you are concerned. Key times to check your electrolytes is after lifestyle changes or if you are feeling more fatigued, experiencing muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth or irregular heartbeat.
Now, you already know Gatorade is not my favorite source for electrolytes. And honestly, when you’re active or need to increase your electrolyte intake any bottle or dissolvable package of electrolytes can become pricey. My favorite way to get extra electrolytes without a price tag came from an old Chiropractor I worked with in Las Vegas.
It’s a simple recipe:
8 oz of water
Two turns of a Himalayan salt grinder
One lemon sliced in half, squeezed and added to the water
I’d love to hear in the comments if you’ve ever experienced your electrolyte levels being off and if you try the recipe to make your own electrolyte water!
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes
