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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Gatorade, Propel, Powerade, Pedialyte, there are all sorts of electrolyte supplements to help keep you hydrated, and your electrolyte levels balanced. But have you ever stopped and wondered what electrolytes even are and what happens when they get out of balance?

According to registered dietician Helen West, electrolyte is an overarching term for particles that have either a positive or negative electric charge. In the nutrition realm, the term electrolyte refers to essential minerals found in blood, sweat, and urine. When these minerals dissolve, they form electrolytes. Our bodies contain the following electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and bicarbonate.

Electrolytes are crucial for:

• Conducting nerve impulses
• Contracting muscles
• Hydrating the body
• Regulating pH levels

Our bodies need electrolytes in a balance for us to function optimally, but sometimes they can become imbalanced. Electrolyte imbalances often occur from dehydration, but can also come from kidney disease, eating disorders, excessive sweating, or severe burns.

Some symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance include:

• Fatigue
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Numbness and tingling
• Confusion
• Muscle weakness and cramping
• Headaches
• Convulsions

The best way to avoid an electrolyte imbalance or to recover from one is to take in a lot of electrolytes to replace those that you’ve lost. West says that the best way to keep your electrolytes balanced is through a healthy diet. Foods such as fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, dairy products, and table salt all contain high amounts of the electrolytes our bodies need. While there are all sorts of electrolyte supplements and drinks out there, they’re typically only needed in certain cases when you’re losing lots of electrolytes fast. Otherwise maintaining a healthy diet suffices.

Here in Arizona, it’s pretty easy to get dehydrated and lose electrolytes, especially during our dry summers. So, as the weather begins to heat up, eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water, and keep your electrolytes balanced!

For more articles about healthy diets and hydration tips, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!