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You try to live a healthy life. You eat well, you exercise, and you stay away from anything too harmful. Every step you take toward self improvement is a good one, but you should keep in mind that there are still many other factors that need your attention. Take your sweat, for example. Do you ever think about it? Other than how it soaks through your t-shirt at the gym, you probably don't. Just like this excessive moisture, every bodily function has a purpose and it is your job to make sure it all runs like a well oiled machine. You've heard of electrolytes before, but do you really know what makes them essential? Take a moment and read about how important electrolytes are to your workout, your recovery, and your overall well-being.

What are Electrolytes?

You body needs an abundance of nutrients to perform properly. The term "electrolyte" describes minerals found in your body that have either a positive or negative electric charge. They consist of key elements including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. You can find these minerals in your blood, sweat, and urine. By keeping your levels of electrolytes balanced, you keep your whole body hydrated, maintain your muscle function, and make sure your nervous system stays in working order. These particles may be small, but they play a huge role in your health.

Electrolytes and Exercise

When you work out, you sweat. It stands to reason that you also lose electrolytes. Reaching for a bottle full of cool, clean H2O is great when sweat is dripping down your neck, however, it might not be enough. Different people have different levels of intensity during their exercise routines. If you're just doing a simple half-hour jog on a treadmill, water should be just fine. If, on the other hand, you enjoy cross training or multiple gym sessions a day, you're going to need to replenish your electrolytes. If you ever experience a critical imbalance, you will be able to feel the effects right away. Be on the look out for these red flags:

• Fatigue
• Rapid Heart rate
• Muscle Weakness
• Cramps
• Headaches
• Confusion

Any situation where you lose large quantities of fluids in a short period of time puts your body at risk. Intense workouts, illness that leads to vomiting, and even dehydration brought on by heat can all cause the loss of important minerals. If you have taken it upon yourself to stick to an exercise routine, you clearly care about your health. Just make sure you also know how to recover properly.

Types of Electrolyte Recovery Products

We've all seen the wide range of sports drinks on the shelves of our local supermarket. So many people think grabbing a bottle and bringing it to the gym is good enough. Once and a while this is fine, but for someone who has made a commitment to their health, drinking that many sports drinks might end up having a much different effect. Most sports drinks do contain electrolytes, but they also come with an overabundance of sugar. We know enough about the sticky sweet substance to be aware of its detrimental properties. For a better solution, try a chewable supplement. This will give you everything you need for the best type of performance recovery.

You might not put much thought into your sweat. It's just something that happens while you're at the gym. While you work your muscles to their breaking point, take a moment to think about the big picture. Exercise is only one part of living a full and healthy life. Make sure you are doing everything you can to bring yourself to the next level. For more information contact us here. Your body is important, always do whatever you can to take care of it inside and out.