Health Tips: Salts like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate are very essential in metabolism. These are technically termed electrolytes. They help in maintaining fluid balance, muscle, and nerve work in the body. All metabolisms will go smoothly as long as they are in adequate amounts within the body. However, some problems arise when the amounts of electrolytes are low or imbalanced. Let’s find out in this article.
When one doesn’t have enough nutrition and consumes less water, among other things, the level of electrolytes in the body fluctuates. With this, the doctors say that aside from muscle aches, lethargy, and problems with the beating of the heart, sometimes severe health problems also crop up.
- Calcium, potassium, and magnesium play an important role in muscle contraction. Imbalance leads to diseases like muscle rigidity, pain, and lethargy.
- Potassium, calcium, and magnesium are responsible for a smooth flow of electricity in the heart muscle. An imbalance will lead to problems like palpitations, an altered heartbeat, chest discomfort, etc.
- Sodium is responsible for the body’s water balance. If sodium in the human body falls below a particular level, dehydration may set in. Some other symptoms include dry mouth, frequent thirst, and the passage of a reduced amount of urine.
- These changes in the normal sodium and potassium balance result in changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness, palpitations, and fainting.
- Experts further say that it can cause stomach upset and nausea because the levels of electrolytes are imbalanced.
- When electrolytes are lacking, there is a slowdown in the functioning of brain cells that require electrolytes to transmit impulses between nerve cells. This will lead to a lack of concentration, an increase in sira, etc.
- Electrolytes are also key components in energy production in the human body. Doctors confirm that when the levels are low, lethargy comes up.
As it is widely known, calcium is a fundamental nutrient required for the bones in the body. If this mineral is deficient, the bones become less densely packed and more prone to breaking.