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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 aswer. 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 arise. . | ||||
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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 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 then 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 keep 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 of 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. | ||
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Looking for a holiday gift idea? Why not give the gift of health.
Is there someone special in your life that is not living up to their
potential for optimal health? Would you like to give this person some
ideas on how to live a healthier lifestyle? If so, please contact the
office (908) 447-3183 or asurek2@comcast.net.
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It is such a pleasure for me to help you and those closest to you become healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it. Sincerely,
Arlene Surek NutritionSolutions4Life, LLC email: asurek2@comcast.net
phone: 908-447-3183
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