Electrolytes and the Immune System
Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals and compounds that are essential in helping the body to carry out its daily functions and can be found all throughout the body. We often fail to notice when our bodies are in need of electrolytes until it is too late. Some of the most common indicators include headaches, nausea, dry mouth, and other symptoms that are almost identical to those of dehydration (Everything You Need to Know About Electrolytes, 2017).
In addition to this, electrolytes are essential in our immune systems ability to fight off illnesses and regulate the intensity of our immune response. This means that without electrolytes, we risk suffering a plethora of flu-like symptoms whilst our body attempts to protect itself from the outside world, these symptoms include fatigue, fevers, aches and pains, difficulty sleeping, and the loss of appetite.
Electrolytes serve many purposes, some of the most important include:
- regulating the fluid levels in your blood plasma
- keeping the pH level of your blood in the normal range
- enabling muscle contractions
- transmitting nerve signals around the body
- helping to build new tissue
(Electrolytes – What Are They, 2018)
Our bodies require a balance of water and electrolytes to function correctly and remain healthy. Every day, we lose fluid and electrolytes via urine, sweat, and other bodily functions. We know that water alone doesn’t replenish lost electrolytes which help the body retain fluid and are essential for nerve and muscle function. Losing too many electrolytes can cause a negative impact on our health, this includes electrolyte imbalance.
An electrolyte imbalance can happen due to many causes, such as losing fluids as a result of illnesses like vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating or fever (Electrolytes – What Are They, 2018). In addition, not drinking or eating enough of the right foods can also take its toll.In some more unfortunate situations, even some medications like steroids, diuretics and laxatives can cause an electrolyte imbalance. Luckily, there is an easy way to avoid suffering from an electrolyte imbalance and that is by ensuring that you have enough electrolytes by staying well hydrated and eating foods rich in electrolytes such as spinach, oranges, avocados and bananas.
Hydralyte is scientifically formulated with the right ratio of glucose and electrolytes to rehydrate you faster than water. The electrolytes and natural ingredients it contains include stevia leaf, citric acid, glucose, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Each of these ingredients work hand in hand and along with a well-balanced diet have their own role in supporting our body in its daily functions, including our immune system.
Citric acid helps to regulate the pH level in the body. Glucose activates the sodium glucose pump in the small intestine for fast rehydration. Sodium works with the glucose to speed up the absorption of water and electrolytes into the bloodstream. It is a vital nutrient for regulating water and fluid balance. Chloride helps your body in retaining fluids and works to maintain water balance. Potassium prevents muscle cramps and helps carry nutrients to the bloodstream. Stevia leaf is used to avoid adding sugar or artificial additives as it is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener.
Our immune system is highly dependent on the nutrients in our blood stream, and
due to our blood stream being made mostly of water, we must always ensure that we stay well hydrated. As the winter approaches, seasonal illnesses like colds and flus are to be expected. Being out of lockdown, people are back at work and school, shopping more, commuting again and consequently we are exposed to more people and therefore, more of these seasonal sicknesses. This is why it is imperative that we take time and make conscious choices and be proactive to support our body.
Trying an oral rehydration solution can be the key to replenishing all the essential electrolytes you need to support your body and stay hydrated. We are confident in our product and are proud to recommend Hydralyte. Hydralyte electrolyte solutions contain 75% less sugar and four times the electrolytes than the leading sports drinks, which means that you’ll get all the health benefits of electrolytes without any unwanted ingredients. The hypotonic formula allows for the electrolytes to reach the bloodstream rapidly.