The human body is an “electrical
machine”. All vital bodily
functions happen as a result of
electrical signals being sent
between the various parts of
your body and your brain. In
order for your body to operate
at peak performance, these
electrical signals must be
conducted in an efficient
manner- this is where
electrolytes come in.
Electrolytes are substances that
will conduct electricity when
dissolved in water – the most
common electrolyte in your body
is salt.
Your body is 70% water, about
two-thirds of the water resides
inside your cells,
(intracellular fluid) and about
one-third resides outside of
your cells, (extra cellular
fluid). Your body works
constantly to make sure that the
intracellular fluid and extra
cellular fluid have the same
amount of electrolyte
concentration – this is a very
important component of
homeostasis or your body’s inner
balance.
The mechanisms that monitor and
adjust the balance of
electrolytes respond only to
changes in extra cellular fluid
such as blood. When someone is
ill or injured and taken to the
hospital, one of the first and
most common procedures is to
hang an I.V. which simply means
injecting salt water directly
into the blood stream. Doing so
helps the body to operate better
because electrical signals
moving between the brain and the
body can be better conducted.
In addition, when salt is added
to the extra cellular fluid it
causes water to move between the
intracellular and extra cellular
areas allowing the body to
become properly hydrated. This
is why athletes, for example,
take salt pills or drink “sports
drinks” during work-outs. Sports
drinks are simply salt water, or
other electrolyte solutions,
mixed with artificial colorings,
artificial flavorings,
artificial sweeteners and
chemical preservatives.
