(1)electrolytes are salts that conduct electricity and are found in the body fluid, tissue, and blood. Examples are chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Sodium (Na+) is concentrated in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and potassium (K+) is concentrated in the intracellular fluid (ICF). Proper balance is essential for muscle coordination, heart function, fluid absorption and excretion, nerve function, and concentration.
(2)Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. It is important for the balance of electrolytes in your body to be maintained, because they affect the amount of water in your body, blood pH, muscle action, and other important processes. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, and these must be replenished by drinking lots of fluids.
Electrolytes exist in the blood as acids, bases, and salts (such as sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and bicarbonate) and can be measured by laboratory studies of the blood serum.
(3)*Sodium plays a major role in regulating the amount of water in the body. Also, the passage of sodium in and out of cells is necessary for many body functions, like transmitting electrical signals in the brain and in the muscles. The sodium levels are measured to detect whether there's the right balance of sodium and liquid in the blood to carry out those functions.
If a child becomes dehydrated because of vomiting, diarrhea, or inadequate fluid intake, the sodium levels can be abnormally high or low, which can cause a child to feel confused, weak, and lethargic, and even to have seizures.
*Potassium is essential to regulate how the heart beats. When potassium levels are too high or too low, it can increase the risk of an abnormal heartbeat. Low potassium levels are also associated with muscle weakness.
*Chloride, like sodium, helps maintain a balance of fluids in the body. If there's a large loss of chloride, the blood may become more acidic and prevent certain chemical reactions from occurring in the body that are necessary it to keep working properly.
*Bicarbonate prevents the body's tissues from getting too much or too little acid. The kidney and lungs balance the levels of bicarbonate in the body. So if bicarbonate levels are too high or low, it might indicate that there's a problem with those organs
(4)What can high-potassium foods do for you?
*Help your muscles and nerves function properly
*Maintain the proper electrolyte and acid-base balance in your body
**Help lower your risk of high blood pressure
What events can indicate a need for more high-potassium foods?
*Muscle weakness,*Confusion,*Irritability, *Fatigue, *Heart problems,*Chronic diarrhea, *Regular, intense exercise, *Use of certain diuretics
Food sources of potassium:Swiss chard,boiled lima beans, button mushrooms, cooked yam, winter squash, baked soybeans, cooked avacado, spinach, boiled pinto beans, cooked papaya, cooked lentils. I can't imagine cooked avacadoes or papaya... but I know bananas have a lot of it too.
(5) ANOTHER SOURCE SAYS THIS:
Several major food groups are high in potassium including white meats, root vegetables, and fresh fruit, along with dairy. If prepared in a healthy way, they will also contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. If you are consuming a food for its potassium, try to eat it raw, if possible. Otherwise, bake it or include it in a soup: frying or boiling reduces the amount of available potassium, along with many other nutrients.
In this souce I see I'm getting plenty with my diet of chicken and apples/carrots every day.
I also take CellPower™
, and also I'm using:FLAX SEED OIL
for my colon, but of course FLAX SEED OIL is also a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. SOURCES
(1)http://www.nephrologychannel.com/electrolytes/
(2)http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002350.htm
(3)http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/labtest5.html
(4)http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90
(5)http://www.wisegeek.com/which-foods-are-good-sources-of-potassium.htm
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