Are You Living With an Electrolyte Deficiency?

Electrolyte deficiencies are more common than you might think. Learn how to recognize signs of deficiencies and treat them with electrolyte supplements.

When it comes to maintaining optimal health, a lot of us focus on consuming vitamins, minimizing sugar intake, and incorporating other obvious components of a healthy lifestyle. These are all important, but we may not be giving electrolytes the attention they deserve. Many of us are deficient in certain electrolytes without realizing it. Electrolyte imbalances due to dehydration are responsible for a lot of “mysterious” symptoms such as muscle cramping, irregular heartbeat, and fatigue.

So to avoid an electrolyte deficiency, we just need to drink more water, right? Surprisingly, the answer is no (talk about a plot twist!) Water alone doesn’t contain the electrolytes our bodies need to function well. That’s why we recommend adding sodium chloride (just a fancy word for salt) or Mixhers electrolyte powder to your daily water bottles. They’ll not only improve the taste of the water you drink, but help you avoid dehydration as well!

For those of us who want to give our bodies all the key nutrients they need to function optimally, maintaining healthy electrolyte levels is essential. So here’s some basic information about what electrolytes do in the body, and how to restore electrolyte balance without consuming traditional sports drinks that contain loads of added sugar.

Electrolytes are essential minerals that the body needs to perform a variety of functions. As their name suggests, electrolytes are charged ions that are responsible for sending electrical signals throughout the body. Essential electrolytes include:

• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Phosphorus
• Bicarbonate

Let’s talk about the three main trace minerals from the above list (magnesium, sodium, and potassium) and what they do in our bodies. Then, we’ll go over why we should consider taking an electrolyte powder or other type of electrolyte supplement regularly.

Magnesium is primarily responsible for muscle contraction and relaxation, ATP metabolism, and healthy neurological function. A common reaction to low magnesium is a craving for sugar and/or caffeine, and muscle and eye twitches. If you notice these symptoms, consider electrolyte supplementation with a product that contains magnesium citrate. Or simply consume a magnesium supplement regularly.

Sodium is a daily electrolyte that most of us get in very high amounts because it’s found in so many different foods. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions. But most of us lose a ton of sodium when we sweat. Symptoms of sodium deficiency include muscle cramps, nausea, headaches, and weakness. These symptoms are a good indication that you need to consume sodium or some type of electrolyte drink or powder right away.

A potassium supplement is super important because potassium helps regulate the function of all cells in the body. It also keeps the heartbeat in check and ensures the nerves and muscles function properly. When potassium levels drop too low, you might experience breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, or mood disturbances. Potassium is a key ingredient in any good electrolyte tablet or supplement and is usually added in the form of potassium citrate.

When we lose too much sodium, potassium, magnesium, or other electrolytes, we’re likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle cramps or general muscle weakness
• Bone pain
• Nausea
• Poor coordination
• Heart rhythm abnormalities

In cases of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, we can even suffer seizures, fall into a coma, or die. That’s why electrolyte replacement with a quality electrolyte drink or supplement is highly recommended.

The most common electrolyte deficiencies involve sodium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s pretty easy to experience an electrolyte imbalance involving these minerals when we don’t drink enough water to meet our daily hydration needs, or when we adopt certain dietary restrictions. The keto diet is notorious for causing electrolyte deficiencies. In fact, deficiencies in sodium levels and other essential minerals are responsible for “keto flu” symptoms.

Don’t worry, we’re not knocking the keto diet! We think any diet that minimizes sugar consumption is a step in the right direction. We just want people who follow the keto diet to understand they should also take electrolyte supplements and monitor their electrolyte levels closely.

While adequate hydration is important for keeping our electrolyte levels balanced, remember how we said that chugging plain water is not an effective way to correct low electrolyte levels? That’s because tap water doesn’t contain enough sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or chloride to be effective.

The purified water you just bought from the store isn’t any better. It may taste better than tap water, but it contains little to no electrolytes at all. That’s why you should mix an electrolyte powder or water hydration packet in your water anytime you feel like your electrolyte levels aren’t ideal. A good electrolyte mix will help you maintain optimal fluid balance throughout the day and ensure you’re getting enough calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium to feel your very best (without unnecessary sugar!)

Traditional electrolyte drinks at the grocery store aren’t the best for restoring hydration. Sure, they contain electrolytes, but they hardly have any potassium and they’re full of sugar and artificial ingredients. Just 20 ounces of original Gatorade contains 24 grams of sugar and 150 calories! Yikes! If you’re not a fan of chugging mouthfuls of sugar just to improve your hydration, you’re in luck. Herhydration is the product you never knew you needed until now!

Herhydration from Mixhers balances electrolytes without all the added sugars and calories found in other electrolyte drinks. It contains all the major electrolytes most of our bodies need for optimal hydration (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium).

What makes Herhydration so appealing when compared to other electrolyte concentrate products is that it doesn’t contain any sugar (so you don’t need to worry about consuming unnecessary calories!) Don’t worry, it still tastes amazing because it’s flavored with stevia and organic fruit.

Herhydration also contains green coconut water. If you know anything about coconut water, you know how valued it is for improving hydration. Coconut water is naturally full of the electrolytes your body needs to thrive. If you have a hard time getting enough fluids because you don’t like drinking plain water all day, Herhydration will change everything. This tasty electrolyte powder will make hydrating the best part of your day. Don’t believe it? Try it and see for yourself!