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Electrolytes and the Athlete
By Debra Meszaros MX Sports Nutrition.com
At this point, I believe most already know about the importance of hydration and replenishing minerals. Interestingly enough, I still find most athletes deficient in minerals and the average individual riding occasionally, sometimes worse. To the human body electrolytes are essential for all functionality, regardless if you?re an athlete or not. If you are working out on a regular basis or participating in a sport, your body will have an even higher need than the average person.
Electrolytes and polyelectrolytes
We are electric beings. We have many protons and electrons existing within us (and around us). An electrolyte is simply an element or compound once dissolved in a solution (water or other), turns ionic and has the ability to conduct an electric current. To our bodies, this equates into cellular function, communication, and metabolism.
The body?s synergy utilizes many electrolytes together, in pairs, trios, etc., forming an alliance of polyelectrolytes. Approximately 10 polyelectrolytes are required for survival, but about 60 or more are essential for optimal health and performance.
Hydrating and re-establishing balance
Common: Physical dehydration and the loss of electrolytes accompany strenuous activity, so what are the options to help recovery? Probably the most widely used recovery is mineral enhanced water. Unfortunately, testing has shown that many commercially prepared mineral waters often do not contain the amounts of mineral content listed on the bottle. Many tests have shown no trace amounts of the mineral at all in the water! Many sports drinks have also failed these independent tests. Regardless of the outcome of testing, replenishing with just one or two electrolytes will not maximize your energy, stamina and/or recovery anyway.
Better: Electrolyte-replacement powders are a better way to infuse your water with more accurate quantities but often contain synthetic (inorganic) compounds, artificial flavors, sweeteners (glucose, sucrose, dextrose, fructose, maltodextrine), and colors. Some better powders can be found with the 10 most common polyelectrolytes: sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), chloride (CI-), bicarbonate (HCO3), protein (Prot-), phosphate (HPO4), sulfate (SO4), and organic acids.
Best: Optimal function of the body can be helped with the use of liquid based multi-mineral formulas. Like a liquid based multi-vitamin, multi-mineral formulas will replace a wider range of electrolytes; sometimes up to 65 polyelectrolytes. The better formulas are whole food based, nothing synthetic; but carefully watch the labels as many times these companies add preservatives like sodium benzonate. The best formulas will be food based, no preservatives, and carbon-bonded. The combination of whole food based plus carbon bonded has shown a much higher bio-availability, giving them virtually a 100% absorbability rate by the body. Additionally, carbon-bonded, microplexed polyelectrolytes are like ?spark plugs? and almost immediately infuse into the body. Now that?s how to ultimately maximize energy, strength, stamina, and recovery!
* For those interested in learning about the companies that produce carbon-bonded polyelectrolytes, please contact me for information.
Disclaimer: When you read through the diet and lifestyle information, you must know that everything within it is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. I am making no attempt to prescribe any medical treatment. You should not use the information here for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. The products and the claims made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Confirm the safety of any supplements with your M.D., N.D. or pharmacist (healthcare professional). Some information given is solely an opinion, thought and or conclusion based on experiences, trials, tests, assessments or other available sources of information. I do not make any guarantees or promises with regard to results. I may discuss substances that have not been subject to double blind clinical studies or FDA approval or regulation. You assume the responsibility for the decision to take any natural remedy.
You and only you are responsible if you choose to do anything with the information you have read. You do so at your own risk. Use your intelligence to make the decisions that are right for you. Consulting a naturopathic doctor is strongly advised especially if you have any existing disease or condition.
Electrolytes and an Athletes Body
October 6 2011
Electrolytes and the AthleteBy Debra Meszaros MX Sports Nutrition.com
At this point, I believe most already know about the importance of hydration and replenishing minerals. Interestingly enough, I still find most athletes deficient in minerals and the average individual riding occasionally, sometimes worse. To the human body electrolytes are essential for all functionality, regardless if you?re an athlete or not. If you are working out on a regular basis or participating in a sport, your body will have an even higher need than the average person.
Electrolytes and polyelectrolytes
We are electric beings. We have many protons and electrons existing within us (and around us). An electrolyte is simply an element or compound once dissolved in a solution (water or other), turns ionic and has the ability to conduct an electric current. To our bodies, this equates into cellular function, communication, and metabolism.
The body?s synergy utilizes many electrolytes together, in pairs, trios, etc., forming an alliance of polyelectrolytes. Approximately 10 polyelectrolytes are required for survival, but about 60 or more are essential for optimal health and performance.
Hydrating and re-establishing balance
Common: Physical dehydration and the loss of electrolytes accompany strenuous activity, so what are the options to help recovery? Probably the most widely used recovery is mineral enhanced water. Unfortunately, testing has shown that many commercially prepared mineral waters often do not contain the amounts of mineral content listed on the bottle. Many tests have shown no trace amounts of the mineral at all in the water! Many sports drinks have also failed these independent tests. Regardless of the outcome of testing, replenishing with just one or two electrolytes will not maximize your energy, stamina and/or recovery anyway.
Better: Electrolyte-replacement powders are a better way to infuse your water with more accurate quantities but often contain synthetic (inorganic) compounds, artificial flavors, sweeteners (glucose, sucrose, dextrose, fructose, maltodextrine), and colors. Some better powders can be found with the 10 most common polyelectrolytes: sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), chloride (CI-), bicarbonate (HCO3), protein (Prot-), phosphate (HPO4), sulfate (SO4), and organic acids.
Best: Optimal function of the body can be helped with the use of liquid based multi-mineral formulas. Like a liquid based multi-vitamin, multi-mineral formulas will replace a wider range of electrolytes; sometimes up to 65 polyelectrolytes. The better formulas are whole food based, nothing synthetic; but carefully watch the labels as many times these companies add preservatives like sodium benzonate. The best formulas will be food based, no preservatives, and carbon-bonded. The combination of whole food based plus carbon bonded has shown a much higher bio-availability, giving them virtually a 100% absorbability rate by the body. Additionally, carbon-bonded, microplexed polyelectrolytes are like ?spark plugs? and almost immediately infuse into the body. Now that?s how to ultimately maximize energy, strength, stamina, and recovery!
* For those interested in learning about the companies that produce carbon-bonded polyelectrolytes, please contact me for information.
Disclaimer: When you read through the diet and lifestyle information, you must know that everything within it is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. I am making no attempt to prescribe any medical treatment. You should not use the information here for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. The products and the claims made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Confirm the safety of any supplements with your M.D., N.D. or pharmacist (healthcare professional). Some information given is solely an opinion, thought and or conclusion based on experiences, trials, tests, assessments or other available sources of information. I do not make any guarantees or promises with regard to results. I may discuss substances that have not been subject to double blind clinical studies or FDA approval or regulation. You assume the responsibility for the decision to take any natural remedy.
You and only you are responsible if you choose to do anything with the information you have read. You do so at your own risk. Use your intelligence to make the decisions that are right for you. Consulting a naturopathic doctor is strongly advised especially if you have any existing disease or condition.
