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Dehydration is a
major concern especially in children and the elderly, but it if you are
losing fluids, just drinking gallons of water to replenish is not the
answer. Pure water without electrolytes can actually make things worse
because you would be further diluting the minerals in the body. Everytime
you sweat during a workout or even just on a hot day, your body is losing
sodium, and by drinking just water you are further diluting the sodium
content in your body. Your body is able to compensate for the imbalance
for a little while but after a certain time it gives in and problems can
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Heart abnormalities
such as arrhythmia is another major thing that is linked with electrolyte
imbalance. Sodium is meant to be outside the cell (extracelluar) and
potassium inside the cell (intracellular). When their balance shifts, the
potassium becomes extracelluar. The heart runs through an electrical
mechanism system and thus needs these electrolytes or spark plugs to get
it going. It needs the potassium to be intracellular to run correctly and
now when you get this reversal, instead of trying to pump blood out of the
heart, you are pumping blood into the heart. The brain compensates and
says, wait, that's not right and fixes, but by doing so notice a side
effect in a way of a palpitation. If you don't take care of it, it goes on
and on and eventually you can notice becoming out of breath and exhausted
or feel like your heart is beating really fast and hard known as
tachycardia. I often see this pattern in in people who are going through a
lot of stress. Simple electrolyte rebalancing can correct this if the
issue is not a structural heart defect. So if you have palpitations or
rapid and irregular heart beats and cardiologists attribute it to anxiety
and not a heart defect electrolytes would be very
helpful. | ||
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Cramps can also arise
from an electrolyte imbalance and can be very painful. A leg cramp is a
spasm that comes from a muscle in the leg. It usually occurs in one of the
calf muscles below and behind the knee. Sometimes, the small muscles of
the feet can be affected, as wells as the hands. Typically, a cramp lasts
a few minutes. In some cases, it lasts only seconds, but it can last for
up to ten minutes. The muscle may remain tender after a severe leg cramp
for as long as 24 hours. Leg cramps usually occur when you are resting -
most commonly at night when in bed (night cramps). They may awaken you
from your sleep and can become a distressing condition if your sleep is
regularly disturbed. In essence, the
closing and relaxing of a muscle is dependent on calcium, sodium,
magnesium and potassium. Sodium constricts and potassium relaxes, with Ca
and Mg initiating each phase of the action. If an individual is low in
potassium, it appears that that singular event of low potassium can be
sufficient to permit a cramp to occur. Without enough potassium available
to complete the relaxing cycle, a muscle can be left in a locked position.
The potential cure for a cramp would logically be to have available
sufficient stores of potassium. However, magnesium and the other
electrolytes also play an important role in muscle function, so it is
necessary to them all in balance. | ||
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When people think
about electrolyte drinks, most think of Gatorade. However what many may
not realize is that Gatorade packs in artificial colors, sugars and 75
calories per serving. Gatorade also has no magnesium and only 45mg or
potassium and 165 mg of sodium chloride. I found a product
that has more electrolytes and no artificial flavors or sugars.
Electrolyte Synergy is a complete and balanced electrolyte formula which
can be used to improve symptoms of dehydration, after excessive diarrhea
or vomiting, or after excessive sweating, chronic stress fatigue,
lethargy, dizziness, cramping or twitching, tachycardia, arrhythmia, heavy
legs, irritability and/or noise sensitivity. It contains 106mg of
magnesium, 375mg of sodium chloride, 149mg of potassium and only 5
calories per serving. D-Ribose is also included in this powdered formula
because of its importance for cardiac function, exercise recovery and
energy production. Electrolyte Synergy also contains taurine, a regulator
of electrolyte flow in and out of cells and will support maximal
assimilation. Children can take Electrolyte Synergy during the flu or any
illness involving diarrhea or vomiting to prevent dehydration. Mix
electrolyte synergy into any beverage, sports bottle, or put it in water
and place in ice rack to make into grape popsicles. Electrolyte Synergy is
sugar-free and gets its sweetness from small amounts of natural xylitol
and stevia. The natural grape flavoring gives it a great grape taste. If
you would like to try it please let me know on your next appointment or
send me an email and I would be happy to send it to
you. | ||
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It's such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it. If you are sick of yo-yo dieting and want to finally take control of your health please contact us!
Warmly,
Inna Topiler - Integrative Nutritionist Complete Nutrition And Wellness phone: 201-238-2720
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