1. Electrolytes
Brian Fletcher
Waldo Bezuidenhout

2. What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that either carry a positive charge (cation), or a negative charge (anion)
Are taken in as chemical compounds that dissociate into ions within the body
Help balance pH and acid base levels in body
Facilitate fluid movement into and out of cells
Aids in regulation of endocrine system
Vital for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction

3. Types of Electrolytes sodium (Na+) potassium (K+) chloride (Cl-)
calcium (Ca2+)
magnesium (Mg2+)
bicarbonate (HCO3-)
phosphate (PO42-)
sulfate (SO42-)

4. Electrolyte Function

5. Sodium Main cation present in extracellular fluid
An excess of 8000mg of sodium is held within the bodily tissues
Requires 3-4 hrs of endurance activity to deplete
Hyponatremia: Most common electrolyte disorder. Can result from the use of diuretics, psychoactive drugs, ecstasy and water intoxication
Hypernatremia: Can result from diabetes insipidus, kidney disease, severe burns, diarrhea and excessive sodium intake

6. Potassium Main cation within all muscle cells
Vital for regulating sodium concentrations
Hypokalemia: can result from laxative abuse, Cushing’s syndrome, kidney disease, adrenal gland impairments, also by glycerrhetinic acid
Hyperkalemia: can be caused by ketoacidosis, fasting, bulimia nervosa, heavy exercise, diuretics, may also result from hypernatremia

7. Chloride Anion that compliments sodium
70% of the body’s total negative ion content
Aids in absorbing metallic minerals
Essential in regulating osmotic tension (balance of bodily fluids and electrolytes)
Hypochloremia: Usually results from hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Causes metabolic alkalosis which is characterized by confusion and paralysis
Hyperchloremia: Caused by severe dehydration, kidney failure, brain injury, and metabolic acidosis

8. Calcium Most abundant in human body approximately 2.85 lbs
Promotes skeletal growth
Involved with blood coagulation
Required for normal heart rhythm, healthy nerve transmission, and strong muscle contractions
Hypocalcemia: results from thyroid disorders, kidney failure, vitamin-D deficiency, and medications such as heparin and glucogan
Hypercalcemia: thyroid disorders, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancers, and Paget’s disease can all cause elevated calcium levels.

9. Magnesium Ratio of 1Mg to 2Ca Needed for muscle relaxation
Hypomagnesia: Chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, pancreatitis, severe burns, and hyperparathyroidism
Hypermagnesia: May occur in end stage renal disease, Addison’s disease, or overdose of magnesium salts

10. Bicarbonate
A negatively charged electrolyte that assists in the regulation of blood pH levels
Too much or too little Bicarbonate results in acid-base disorders such as acidosis and alkalosis

11. Phosphate Involved in metabolism
Helps regulate acid-base balance and calcium levels
Hypophosphatemia: may be caused by severe burns, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, malnutrition and Cushing’s syndrome.
Hyperphosphatemia: hemodialysis, acromegaly, and intestinal obstruction

12. Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalances
thirst
orthostatic hypotension
dry mouth and mucous membranes
dark, concentrated urine
loss of elasticity in the skin
irregular heartbeat (tachycardia)
irritability
fatigue
lethargy
heavy, labored breathing
muscle twitching and/or seizures

13. More Symptoms… nausea, abdominal cramping, and/or vomiting headache
edema (swelling)
muscle weakness and/or tremor
paralysis
disorientation
slowed breathing
seizures
Coma
dry skin
brittle nails

14. Even MORE symptoms… irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) diarrhea
muscle pain
increased urination
Tetany
fatigue
constipation
depression
confusion
hypotension
decreased heart and respiratory rate
Even…………..DEATH!!!!

15. The Perfect Mix

17. The Mix
Electrolyte replacement during exercise is necessary yet highly personalized
Sweat composition differs greatly from person to person
Environmental conditions play a major role in rate of electrolyte depletion
The body replaces only between 35-45% of what it loses during exercise. If we replace all the fluids at once, we end up with dilutional hyponatremia or water-intoxication which leads to serious health problems and even death.
If we try to replace all the electrolytes we lose in equal amounts, a number of hormonal triggers may create problems such as gastric stress, edema, muscle spasms and cramping

18. References: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question565.htm