What Happens When There Is An Electrolyte Deficiency
What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are the term used for salts and ions. These ions can either be negatively or positively charged. Electrolytes that are negatively charged are called anions and electrons that are positively charged are called cathodes. A human body has high concentrations of these ions and they are used for many different functions.
Deficiency in electrolytes
These are the main electrolytes that are found in the body and they each have their own function and a deficiency can be a bad thing.
€ Sodium (Na+) - Despite all the negative publicity about salt, it is still an important and necessary mineral. Many people try not to eat salt at all because of the bad press they hear about it, however, your body still needs salt. The average person typically meets the daily requirement of salt. The term used for sodium deficiency is called hypernatremia. What hypernatremia is good for is maintaining the bodily fluids. The fluids in the human body cannot move unless there is salt in the body. One problem is that people tend to eat more salt than what is recommended on a daily basis and therein is where the problem lies.
€ Potassium (K+) - Potassium can be found in almost every cell of the human body. Potassium is also positively charged and hence is a cathode. Potassium is good for muscle health and also for heart heath. It is also good for a good blood pressure. However, a diet low in potassium can cause hypokalemia. This is where the muscles get very weak in a state were one cannot move and can cause you to be paralyzed.
€ Chloride (Cl-) - Chloride is found in table salt. Chloride is good because it keeps the amount of fluid within and around cells in balance and it helps regulate the pH (acid-alkali / acid-base) balance of body fluids. A chloride deficiency is known as hypochloremia.
€ Calcium (Ca2+) - Deficiency in calcium is called hypocalcaemia. Calcium is one of the most efficient mineral that is used for building strong bones and teeth. It is also used to maintain those bones and teeth even after we pass our developing state. Also, calcium is good for building muscle mass and keeping strong. A deficiency in calcium can cause pain in the joints or muscle and may cause stunted growth. A deficiency in calcium may also cause muscle cramps.
€ Magnesium (Mg2+)- Hypomagnesaemia is the collective term used to describe a deficiency in magnesium. Magnesium is good for maintaining blood pressure and promoting good brain health. A deficiency may lead to epilepsy, weakness and muscle cramps.
€ Bicarbonate (HCO3-)- Bicarbonate is great for preventing the stomach acid from mixing with our food as it makes its passage through the stomach. Bicarbonate is made in the pancreas. If you do not have enough Bicarbonate, symptoms that may be experienced may include, twitching, muscle spasm or difficulties breathing.
On average it is very unlikely that someone would have a deficiency in an electrolytes, however, it is possible especially in those electrolytes that are not readily and easily available. Make sure that the required amount of electrolytes is taken each day.
Electrolytes are the term used for salts and ions. These ions can either be negatively or positively charged. Electrolytes that are negatively charged are called anions and electrons that are positively charged are called cathodes. A human body has high concentrations of these ions and they are used for many different functions.
Deficiency in electrolytes
These are the main electrolytes that are found in the body and they each have their own function and a deficiency can be a bad thing.
€ Sodium (Na+) - Despite all the negative publicity about salt, it is still an important and necessary mineral. Many people try not to eat salt at all because of the bad press they hear about it, however, your body still needs salt. The average person typically meets the daily requirement of salt. The term used for sodium deficiency is called hypernatremia. What hypernatremia is good for is maintaining the bodily fluids. The fluids in the human body cannot move unless there is salt in the body. One problem is that people tend to eat more salt than what is recommended on a daily basis and therein is where the problem lies.
€ Potassium (K+) - Potassium can be found in almost every cell of the human body. Potassium is also positively charged and hence is a cathode. Potassium is good for muscle health and also for heart heath. It is also good for a good blood pressure. However, a diet low in potassium can cause hypokalemia. This is where the muscles get very weak in a state were one cannot move and can cause you to be paralyzed.
€ Chloride (Cl-) - Chloride is found in table salt. Chloride is good because it keeps the amount of fluid within and around cells in balance and it helps regulate the pH (acid-alkali / acid-base) balance of body fluids. A chloride deficiency is known as hypochloremia.
€ Calcium (Ca2+) - Deficiency in calcium is called hypocalcaemia. Calcium is one of the most efficient mineral that is used for building strong bones and teeth. It is also used to maintain those bones and teeth even after we pass our developing state. Also, calcium is good for building muscle mass and keeping strong. A deficiency in calcium can cause pain in the joints or muscle and may cause stunted growth. A deficiency in calcium may also cause muscle cramps.
€ Magnesium (Mg2+)- Hypomagnesaemia is the collective term used to describe a deficiency in magnesium. Magnesium is good for maintaining blood pressure and promoting good brain health. A deficiency may lead to epilepsy, weakness and muscle cramps.
€ Bicarbonate (HCO3-)- Bicarbonate is great for preventing the stomach acid from mixing with our food as it makes its passage through the stomach. Bicarbonate is made in the pancreas. If you do not have enough Bicarbonate, symptoms that may be experienced may include, twitching, muscle spasm or difficulties breathing.
On average it is very unlikely that someone would have a deficiency in an electrolytes, however, it is possible especially in those electrolytes that are not readily and easily available. Make sure that the required amount of electrolytes is taken each day.