Welcome to Dishing Up Nutrition's midweek segment called Ask the Nutritionist.

I'm Teresa Weidner.

I am a registered and licensed dietitian.

And on today's show, brought to you by nutritional

weight wellness, we will be answering a question we receive from our Dishing Up Nutrition

listeners.

Today's question is about electrolytes, how to choose an electrolyte formula, and who can benefit

from using them.

So before I get started on the question, let's just talk about what electrolytes are.

Electrolites are vital minerals that help regulate fluid balance,

nerve function, and muscle activities throughout the body.

These microscopic powerhouses help to send electrical signals between your cells, hence their name, electrolights. There are seven key

electrolytes, sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate.

Each one plays a specific role in keeping you functioning at your best.

Sodium plays a key role in maintaining hydration and ensuring proper nerve signaling and muscle

contractions while chloride works alongside sodium to support

fluid balance and acid-based regulation. Potassium is an essential nutrient for heart function

and communication between nerves and muscles. Magnesium contributes to muscle relaxation, energy production, and enzyme activity,

while calcium strengthens our bones, assists in blood clotting, and also enables muscle contraction.

So magnesium for relaxation, calcium for contraction.

Phosphate is crucial for generating energy and supporting bone health and bicarbonate. It helps to maintain pH balance, ensuring effective oxygen transport and acid regulation.

Together, these keep the body functioning optimally, supporting hydration, energy, and overall

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