It's the summer of wellness and we're all ready to refresh our daily routines. Our new Lively series will highlight all things hydration to help you live a fuller, more vibrant life with every sip.
What are electrolytes and how do they impact you? We're glad you asked! At a high level, electrolytes are minerals involved in many bodily processes. They can be found in our blood, urine and body fluids, as well as play a role in nerve function, muscle contraction, hydration, pH regulation and more.
Vital Note: This article has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Your licensed healthcare professional can best provide you with the diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition and assist you as well in deciding whether a dietary supplement will be a helpful addition to your regimen.
So, what are the main electrolytes?
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Calcium
And what do electrolytes do for the body?
Electrolytes help balance the amount of water in your body and its pH level. They also help move nutrients into your cells and move waste out. Additionally, these minerals help with nerve, muscle and heart contractions.
So, now that you have the basics, let's explore them further, below.
How Do Electrolytes Support Fitness?
Since electrolytes are involved in several body processes that are necessary in physical activity, it's important to take them in and replace them as needed.
The main electrolytes lost in sweat are sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium. Among these, sodium makes up the majority. Sodium helps maintain fluid balance in the body and aids in hydration, which improves exercise performance, capacity and focus. While we're often told to drink water to stay hydrated, our bodies won’t efficiently absorb water without sufficient sodium replenishment.
While you probably don't need electrolytes for shorter workouts, longer workouts and more intense exercise (especially in the heat) will likely warrant electrolyte replacement. “The general rule of thumb is to supplement with electrolytes for any exercise over 60-90 minutes, in a hot/humid environment, or if the exercise is very difficult or strenuous," says Lizzie Kasparek, a certified sports dietitian.
You should also pay attention to the types of clothing you wear.
"Wearing additional apparel or equipment compared to normal during exercise can also increase the energy cost of exercise and therefore increase sweat and electrolyte losses that need to be replaced for longer workouts,” adds certified sports dietitian Kelly Jones.
If you're a salty sweater (you can tell this if you constantly have white residues on your clothing or a gritty feeling on your skin from dried salt), you likely need to take in more sodium as well. You can plan for this before long or sweaty sessions by adding a pinch of salt to your water before exercise or taking supplements, salt pills or sports drinks throughout it.
How Do I Know If I'm Getting Enough Electrolytes?
Sodium losses typically range from 460–1,840mg per liter of sweat, depending on the individual, weather and exercise. Therefore, it's important to know the electrolyte concentration of different beverages to ensure adequate electrolyte replenishment and for rehydration.
“The sodium concentration of coconut water, or sports drinks made of coconut water, may not contain enough sodium to replenish what you lose during a hard workout, game, long run or race,” adds Kasparek. Instead, Jones recommends looking for electrolyte formulas, salt tablets, salty foods or even pickle juice.
You can also mix Vital Proteins® Hydration** + Collagen into your water, which contains 880mg of electrolytesand 1g of functional sugar per serving for effective* hydration that complements your routine.**
Certain individuals, like salty sweaters, military professionals and those losing upwards of 4 liters of sweat per day, may also benefit from small amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium through supplementation. That said, additional amounts of those minerals are not necessary for the general active population and are likely achieved through eating a balanced diet.
If you're involved in longer training sessions, or training sessions in hot, dry environments, don't forget about your electrolyte needs. Electrolyte losses can hinder performance and lead to overhydration, while sufficient electrolyte replacement can lead to better hydration, and increased performance, focus and concentration.**
Foods To Replenish Electrolytes
Electrolyte-rich foods that are high in sodium include bread, soup,chili, cheese and mixed dishes. Potassium-rich options feature potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, squash and avocado. Additionally, dairy and soy products, almonds, canned fish with bones and chia seeds are all high in calcium, while magnesium-rich foods include leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, avocados, dark chocolate and legumes.
What Is The Best Way To Replenish Electrolytes?
The World Health Organization discovered that a balanced ratio of sodium and glucose allows water and essential minerals to be pulled directly into your system. We created a balanced blend of nutrients, including electrolytes and sugar, inspired by the World Health Organization’s hydration guidelines that also align with general needs of a natural diet.
We're thrilled to share that we have a handful of collagen offerings in our product portfolio that contain electrolytes. Three of these include our Vital Proteins Vitality™ Immune Booster**,Energy Collagen Shot™ and Vital Performance™ RECOVER.
Our latest innovation is changing the wellness space. Our Hydration** + Collagen electrolyte supplement combines a low-sodium electrolyte ratio, collagen, vitamin C and B vitamins, for those seeking a hydrating wellness formula. We also added 1g tapioca dextrose (D-Glucose), which is a non-GMO functional sweetener that helps sodium enter the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently so users feel refreshed and rehydrated.**
Not only is Hydration** + Collagen a total standout, but it also is super easy to use and pairs perfectly with any lifestyle. Just open, pour & enjoy this hydration supercharger.**