You may never have considered your body as a masterful piece of electrical circuitry, yet it is. Just to understand this will help you to support your body in a whole new way with much greater functionality and even greater clarity of thinking on a day to day basis.

As the body is an electrical reality, every aspect of every function is an electrical transmission, an electrical communication. To compromise (jam) any of these electrical communications is "disease".

Electrical Nutrition by Denie & Shelley Hiestand

Ever wonder why our sweat tastes salty? It's because when we sweat, whether it's via heat therapy or physical exercise and exertion, we lose water and electrolytes. Our adult bodies are comprised of about 60% water and it's only natural that we would want to replace some of the water we've sweated out, but if we don't add electrolytes back in with that water, we just dilute down the electrolytes left in the body. Not a good idea!

So what role do Electrolytes play?

Electrolytes are mineral compounds that are dissolved in the extracellular and intracellular fluid in our bodies. We all use and need to replace electrolytes on a daily basis, and I don't mean the sugar, salt and highly coloured variety that you can find in a bottle these days! We need pure natural mineral compounds that are dissolved in the purest of water – similar to the interstitial fluid found in our body's cells.

Our body fluids are comprised of water and solutes that are dissolved or suspended in a solution. The majority of our blood is made up of water, which is essential for metabolism. However water alone cannot conduct the electrical current we need to live. These solutes become charged particles known as ions. Ions are divided into two categories – one positive and one negative.

The positive ions, known as cations are sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The negative ions are known as anions – chloride, bicarbonate and phosphate. These ions dissolved in body fluids create an electrical charge, similar to a battery, which is needed for the human body to function.

Electrolytes are a vital part of our body fluids that help maintain homeostasis (interrelated processes that maintain equilibrium inside and outside of our cells), a pH (acid/base) balance, the proper volume of blood for efficient circulation and stable blood pressure. They facilitate the transport of nutrients, amino acids, lipids, hormones, proteins and other molecules into cells. Electrolytes also regulate body temperature, aids in the detoxification of metabolic waste products and heavy metals, provided lubrication to the musculoskeletal joints and acts as a component in the pericardial, pleural, spinal and peritoneal fluids. Electrolytes play an important and essential role in all of our lives!

How do we use Electrolytes?

We all lose body fluids including electrolytes through the kidneys, bowels, skin and lungs. For a healthy adult the total body fluids lost in a day are approximately equal to their daily fluid intake. This means that if you don't drink enough fluids in the day, your body will withhold the release of other fluids including toxins that would normally be released each day. Abnormal fluid and electrolyte losses can also occur, such as water dehydration and heat prostration. These losses are usually linked to physical exertion, prolonged exposure to the elements through sports, outdoor activities, construction work etc or disease, trauma and medical intervention.

Therefore athletes, senior citizens, individuals with a cold, flu, virus and those who work or play outdoors for extended periods may be prone to electrolyte deficiencies. Any illness in which you have symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting can also cause electrolyte losses. Other examples of abnormal fluid loss are: kidney conditions, cardiovascular problems, cancer, depression, blood loss, surgical procedures and use of alcohol, prescription and non prescription drugs- especially diuretics and chemotherapy. Some of these problems can cause a decrease of appetite and fluid consumption, which will result in fluid and electrolyte losses.

Sodium Na+.

Sodium is the major positive ion in fluid outside of cells. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body functions. Many processes in the body, especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals for communication. The movement of sodium is critical in generation of these electrical signals.

Potassium K+.

Potassium is the major positive ion found inside of cells. The proper level of potassium is essential for normal cell function. Among the many functions of potassium in the body are regulation of the heartbeat and the function of the muscles.

Magnesium Mg

A mineral involved in many processes in the body including nerve signalling, the building of healthy bones, and normal muscle contraction, 350 enzymes are known to depend on magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is often associated with low blood levels of calcium and potassium.

Calcium Ca

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and one of the most important. Calcium works with magnesium in its functions in the blood, nerves, muscles, and tissues, particularly in regulating heart and muscle contraction and nerve conduction.

Chloride Cl-

Chloride is the major negatively charged ion (anion) found in the fluid outside of cells and in the blood. Sea water has almost the same concentration of chloride ion as human body fluids. Chloride also plays a role in helping the body maintain a normal balance of fluids.

Bicarbonate HCO3-

The bicarbonate ion acts as a buffer to maintain the normal levels of acidity (pH) in blood and other fluids in the body. Bicarbonate levels are measured to monitor the acidity of the blood and body fluids.

Phosphate P

In the body, almost all phosphorus is combined with oxygen, forming phosphate. Bone contains about 85% of the body's phosphate. The rest is located primarily inside cells, where it is involved in energy production.

Phosphate is necessary for the formation of bone and teeth. Phosphate is also used as a building block for several important substances, including those used by the cell for energy, cell membranes, and DNA .

Mark Green, Founder of detoxME and creator of The Modern Science of Detoxicology Training states - "adding electrolytes to our daily regime is such a simple yet powerful tool to use while detoxing. Ideally Total Detoxification involves FIR heat therapy and deep sweating to create the molecular dance and subsequent release of toxins. Here Electrolyte replacement is imperative."