What is an Electrolyte?

An electrolyte is a solution that conducts electricity. Any molecule that becomes an ion when mixed
with water is an electrolyte. Salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride are examples of
electrolytes. When these molecules dissolve in water, they release ions with an electric charge, positive
or negative, that attracts or repels other ions during a chemical reaction.

Fluids in the human body contain water and a variety of dissolved chemicals, some of which exist in the
form of electrolytes. Neural, cellular, and muscular activities are dependent upon the presence and
delicate balance of electrolytes.

Diet and the intake of fluids influences the maintenance of the levels of these chemicals in the body and
the efficiency with which their chemical reactions can occur. Under normal circumstances a healthy
human body can maintain the balance of electrolytes. Under certain conditions, however, an imbalance
can occur in one or more electrolytes. An electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems.

What Are the Chemical Elements of Electrolytes?

Acids, bases and salts are electrolytes. The chemical elements of electrolytes are sodium, chloride,
potassium, calcium, phosphate and magnesium.

To function normally, the body must be able to maintain the levels of electrolytes within very narrow
limits. These limits are controlled by hormones. To get a mental picture of this action, imagine a square
dance with a “Caller” that cues the movement of the square dancers.

The body maintains the levels of electrolytes in each compartment(cells, tissues, organs) by moving
electrolytes (the square dancers) into, or out of, cells based upon the signals provided by the hormones
(the square dance Caller).

What Are Electrolytes Needed For?

The body uses electrolytes in these
three general functions:
1. To help regulate nerve and musclefunction.
2. To help maintain acid-base balance necessary for normal cell functions.
3. To maintain normal fluid levels in compartments(cells, tissues, organs)and to move fluids
around from cell to cell, tissue to tissue, and organ to organ as needed.
Where are Electrolytes Located?
Electrolytes are dissolved in three main areas:
1. In the fluid within cells.
 Intracellular fluids contain large amounts of potassium, but only small amounts of
sodium.
2. In the fluid surrounding cells.
 Extra cellular fluid contains large amounts of sodium, but only small amounts of
potassium.
 These fluids nourish the cells and provide substances needed for cellular function.
3. In the blood.
 The kidneys filter the electrolytes in the blood and excrete any excess into the urine to
maintain a balance between daily intake and daily output.

What is Fluid Balance?

Fluid (water) balance and electrolyte balance are inseparable. Both the amount of water and the
concentration of electrolytes are important. When various body compartments (cells, tissues,
organs) contain the required amount of fluids to carry out normal bodily functions, the body is in
“fluid balance”.

The walls of cells, tissues, and organs are semi permeable permitting osmosis. This is the constant
movement of fluids from one compartment to another within fractions of a second. It is the
concentration (and the nature) of the solutes in the fluids that are a major determinant of fluid
balance.

What is “Acid-Base” Balance?

Maintenance of the acid-base balance is required for normal cell activities. Electrolytes help to
regulate the acid-base balance in the body by maintaining the hydrogen ion concentrations in bodily
Fluids, particularly in extracellular fluids.

An electrolyte that releases a hydrogen ion in water is called “acid”. An electrolyte that binds a
hydrogen ion in water is called “base”. We measure the amount of acid or base in a solution using
the pH scale.

The pH scale ranges from 0-14. Levels below 7 are “acidic”. Levels above 7 are “base” (also called
alkaline). A fluid that has a level of pH equal to 7 is “neutral”. Pure water has a pH equal to 7.
In a healthy person pH is between 7.35 and 7.45. Maintenance of pH in this range is essential to
survival and depends on three major mechanisms in the body:

1) Buffer systems which prevent drastic changes in body fluid pH by changing strong acids and
bases into weak acids and bases within fractions of a second.
2) Respirations, which can increase or decrease pH levels within 1-3 minutes by changing the rate
of breathing.
3) Kidney excretions.
 How Does an Imbalance Occur?
If the balance of electrolytes is disturbed, disorders can develop. An imbalance can occur if a
person...
 Uses certain drugs especially long term - use of laxatives and/or diuretics.
 Becomes dehydrated (profuse sweating, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, very poor nutrition etc).
 Has certain heart, liver, or kidney disorders.
 Is given intravenous fluids in inappropriate amounts.

Loss of electrolytes can have serious

consequences for the body. In severe
dehydration, the loss of electrolytes can
result in circulatory problems such as
tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and
problems with the nervous system such
as loss of consciousness and shock.

Homemade Electrolytes Solution Recipe

Solution Ingredients:
2 cups Luke warm water
2 Tblsp Molasses | Honey | Brown sugar
1/2 teasp Salt
1/2 teasp Baking soda
1 or 2 drops Multivitamins (optional)

Dosage:
Add 1 cup of eletrolytes solution into 1 gallon of clean water (no chlorine).

or

add 1 tablespoon of electrolytes solution into 1 litre of clean water (no chlorine).

note: 1 gallon = 4 litres = 16 tablespoons