Ever since I started running, all I know is that I need to drink a sh*t ton of electrolytes. But I would like to understand why on a physiological level.
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You are a big sack of salt water. When you pee, poop, and sweat, you are leaking both salt and water. You need to replace both salt (electrolytes) and water to replace what you lost.
You are a big sack of salt water. When you pee, poop, and sweat, you are leaking both salt and water. You need to replace both salt (electrolytes) and water to replace what you lost.
ELI5 Version: Your body uses sodium and electrolytes to lead water molecules around like a dog on a leash.
Too much salt and you have too many leashes and not enough dogs for them. Your body will make you thirsty and ask for more dogs to walk with all those empty leashes. Too much water and it’s chaos because you have too many dogs and not enough leashes, so your body will have to let some dogs go. (You pee out the extra water for the environment to wrangle instead.)
ELI5 Version: Your body uses sodium and electrolytes to lead water molecules around like a dog on a leash.
Too much salt and you have too many leashes and not enough dogs for them. Your body will make you thirsty and ask for more dogs to walk with all those empty leashes. Too much water and it’s chaos because you have too many dogs and not enough leashes, so your body will have to let some dogs go. (You pee out the extra water for the environment to wrangle instead.)
Everyone keeps mentioning the body, but your brain needs those electrolytes as well to keep doing good brain stuff. Sodium and potassium help your neurons get their messages from place to place so you don’t end up with brain fog, dizziness, personality changes or a straight up seizure.
Everyone keeps mentioning the body, but your brain needs those electrolytes as well to keep doing good brain stuff. Sodium and potassium help your neurons get their messages from place to place so you don’t end up with brain fog, dizziness, personality changes or a straight up seizure.
for any barflys, this is also why you crave salty snacks or high sodium food when you’re overdrinking – to replace lost salt. it’s also why bars used to always have a bowl of pretzels or salted peanuts at the bar. that’s gone away though because of hygienic reasons
for any barflys, this is also why you crave salty snacks or high sodium food when you’re overdrinking – to replace lost salt. it’s also why bars used to always have a bowl of pretzels or salted peanuts at the bar. that’s gone away though because of hygienic reasons
Sodium and potassium are also how your nerve cells generate an electrical charge as well. Which is why you get cramps if you are out of whack.
Sodium and potassium are also how your nerve cells generate an electrical charge as well. Which is why you get cramps if you are out of whack.
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