What Are Electrolytes?

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolyte is a medical term for salts, specifically ions. The term electrolyte means that this ion is electrically charged and moves to either a negative or positive electrode. Ions that move to the cathode are positively charged and ions that move to the anode are negatively charged.

So for your body the major electrolytes are as follows are:

• sodium
• potassium
• chloride
• calcium
• magnesium
• bicarbonate
• phosphate
• sulfate

Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body.

For example, when you exercise heavily you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium.

These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. So many sports drinks have sodium chloride or potassium chloride added to them. They also have sugar and flavorings to provide your body with energy and to make the drinks taste better.

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