Can You Have Too Many Electrolytes?

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your body, but did you know you could become OVER hydrated? Electrolyte supplementation has recently become very popular, especially with the uptick in new drink powders that add flavor to water.

Electrolytes are minerals in your body that are essential to live. The 4 main types of minerals found in electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. While you can get most of your electrolytes from your food and drinks, there are times when we do lack electrolytes, mainly after physical activity. This is when you should use supplements like Liquid IV’s to get the electrolytes you need into your body.

Everyone needs different amounts of electrolytes. No one is the same. Generally, it is recommended that people consume 1,500 - 2,300 milligrams of sodium, 2,600 - 3,400 milligrams of potassium, 310 - 420 milligrams of magnesium, and 1,000 - 1,200 milligrams of calcium DAILY.

So, what does each mineral do for your body? Well, replenishing your sodium is important because sodium is a major factor in the regulation of fluid balance and muscle contractions. Potassium is important for fluid balance and muscle contractions, but even more so, it is important for maintaining your blood pressure. Magnesium is important because it is the main factor of energy production in the body. Calcium, as we all know, is most important for our bone health, it also helps with nerve transmission and blood clotting.

How do you know if you need to supplement your electrolytes? If you exercise a lot or just sweat a lot, or if your doctor has told you to supplement your electrolytes, you should do so. But, the “average” person tends to not have to do this, because as long as your diet is balanced, you should be receiving enough of your electrolytes through your food.

Electrolyte toxicity is REAL, and anyone can easily have this happen to them if they consume too many electrolytes. Electrolyte toxicity happens when you have too many electrolytes in your bloodstream, causing your body to become unbalanced. While this should not be taken lightly as it can be deadly, some more serious health issues it can lead to are high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart issues.

The bottom line is, like any other supplement, you should talk to your health care provider before starting it. You may think you need supplementation when you really don’t.