By Gina Van Luven | Owner of Prime IV Hydration & Wellness at Red Mountain Gateway in Mesa
Electrolytes have been an important part of sports performance for decades. They have only recently become popular for daily needs. But why?
The introduction of electrolyte replacements into the sports arena arose due to their significant depletion during physical activity. The more you sweat, the more electrolytes you lose. Which is why living in a hot climate like Arizona, electrolytes quickly became popular for outdoor activities beyond sports like gardening or just hanging out by the pool.
Electrolytes are essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. These are responsible for nerve signaling, muscle contractions, blood pressure, heartbeat regulation and pH balance. An imbalance in electrolytes can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, muscle cramping or spasms, headaches and nausea. In severe cases it can cause brain damage and even death.
You can see why keeping your electrolytes in balance is so important. There are many electrolyte replacements on the market. Look for ones absent of any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. You may also consider IV hydration therapy, which bypasses digestion, delivering the electrolytes to your bloodstream where they can be best utilized.
