Electrolytes are NOT optional!!!

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Electrolytes are NOT optional!!!

So, what is my mantra?

Eat your protein first.

Well, yes, but that's not what this article is about.

Electrolytes are NOT optional!!!

Yes, that one.

Roxana and I did a lot of research a few years back and created our own electrolyte recipe.

Roxana was using a version of Dr. Berry and Neisha Salas Berry's electrolyte drink shown here in this video:

I was using a simpler recipe of just water, True Lemon. ¼teaspoon Redmond Real Salt and a dash of NoSalt (powdered potassium chloride). We combined our two recipes and created this new one. I took some pictures and Roxana added it to our new website.

Ketorade- original recipe by Chef Joy and Chef Roxana

Low on Energy

In the groups and social media that we manage, I feel like sometimes I am a broken record. Electrolytes are not optional!! I am the first to remind everyone I talk to that electrolytes are not optional.

So why did I find myself low on energy? A quick check of my mental and physical self and I realized I also had increased brain fog and apathy. My ketone and blood sugar levels tested great, really great, and then it dawned on me. Electrolytes! Sure, enough there was my ketorade still sitting on the counter untouched from this morning.

Ketorade

I quickly drank 20 oz (about 591.47 ml) of this Ketorade recipe and rebounded. While my symptoms were mild, low energy and apathy, I personally know the dangers of ignoring your body's needs for electrolytes. A friend collapsed at work due to low potassium levels.

This recipe is an excellent source of essential electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and sodium. The apple cider vinegar provides benefits in aiding of digestion and supporting a healthy immune system. This homemade electrolyte drink is great for those following a ketogenic diet, where it is essential to maintain proper electrolyte balance.

Very humbling that even I could forget that Electrolytes are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. The most important electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate. These electrolytes are crucial for various bodily functions, including maintaining proper fluid balance, nerve function, muscle function, and pH balance.

Maintaining Fluid Balance

Electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining proper fluid balance in your cells. Electrolytes help regulate the movement of water between the intracellular and extracellular compartments of the body. Sodium and chloride are two electrolytes that are particularly important for maintaining fluid balance. Sodium is responsible for regulating the amount of water in the extracellular compartment, while chloride helps maintain the electrical neutrality of the extracellular compartment. Electrolytes are also critical for proper nerve function. Electrolytes, particularly sodium, potassium, and calcium, help generate and transmit these electrical signals. Electrolytes are essential for proper muscle function. The contraction and relaxation of muscles are controlled by the movement of calcium into and out of the muscle cells. Potassium is also essential for proper muscle function. It helps maintain the resting potential of muscle cells, which is needed for the beginning of muscle contractions.

Nerve Function

Electrolytes are also critical for proper nerve function. Nerves use electrical signals to communicate with each other and with the rest of the body. Electrolytes, particularly sodium, potassium, and calcium, help generate and transmit these electrical signals. These ions create a concentration gradient across the cell membrane, allowing for the propagation of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers.

Muscle Function

Electrolytes are also essential for proper muscle function. The contraction and relaxation of muscles are controlled by the movement of calcium ions into and out of the muscle cells. Potassium ions are also essential for proper muscle function. They help maintain the resting potential of muscle cells, which is necessary for the initiation of muscle contractions.

Electrolytes and the Keto way of eating

Electrolytes are especially crucial for individuals following a Keto or Carnivore eating plan. These eating plans are designed around low carbohydrate intake, leading to a decrease in needed insulin levels and a shift towards ketosis. During this process, the body excretes excess water and electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The loss of electrolytes can lead to various symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, and dizziness. Therefore, individuals on these diets should supplement their electrolyte intake. Additionally, electrolytes can aid in reducing inflammation.
This has been a great reminder for me that no matter how busy I get I still need to take the extra 30 seconds and finish drinking my electrolytes!!!!

Please remember adequate electrolyte intake is crucial for individuals on Keto or Carnivore eating plans to maintain optimal health and well-being.

This has been a great reminder for me that no matter how busy I get I still need to take the extra 30 seconds and finish drinking my electrolytes!!!!

Written by Joy Sypher
Published April 29th, 2023

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