Electrolytes for diarrheoa or physical exhaustion

When our body needs important nutrients

Estimated reading time: approx. 3 min.

Electrolytes help with numerous functions of the human body. If the balance of just one electrolyte is disturbed, this affects our overall well-being. You can read here what role electrolytes play in diarrhoea and how you can compensate for electrolyte deficiency.

 

The most important facts about electrolytes in a nutshell

  • Electrolytes are vital minerals with various tasks.
  • There are different electrolytes, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride or bicarbonate.
  • If electrolytes are lost during diarrhoea or during exercise, for example, due to increased sweating, the complex balance is upset.
  • Without electrolytes, our organism would not function.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are vital minerals – more precisely, positively or negatively charged particles. They are found in every body fluid, whether blood, urine or sweat. Particularly important electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or chloride. The composition of electrolytes inside and outside a body cell is usually in equilibrium. If the electrolytes become imbalanced, the cell can no longer perform its function properly and, in the worst case, cannot survive.
Electrolytes control numerous vital bodily functions. One task is to support the transmission of stimuli and impulses to our brain. Furthermore, they are part of various enzyme reactions in the body, release stored substances or regulate our water balance. In short, without electrolytes, our organism would not function.
Our body cannot produce electrolytes on its own. That's why we have to consume them daily through our food. Electrolytes can be flushed out of the body, for example in case of diarrhoea or sweating. Then it is important to drink enough and quickly replenish the electrolyte balance. Otherwise, there is a risk of an electrolyte deficiency, which can have life-threatening consequences.

 

Woman touches her stomach

What role do electrolytes play in diarrhoea?

Electrolytes are found in all body fluids. We release electrolytes not only through urine and sweat, but also through spit or stool. According to this, electrolytes are also lost during diarrhoea. What then helps, you can read here.

Why are electrolytes important during physical exertion?

Both the increased energy expenditure and the consumption of fluids (through sweating) ensure that you should keep an eye on your electrolyte balance on hot summer days and with regular exercise. Ingredients such as potassium and calcium contribute to normal muscle function. Sodium acts as an antagonist to potassium to increase blood pressure and magnesium can reduce tiredness and fatigue. To prevent a drop in performance during regular exercise, electrolyte solutions such as ELOTRANS® reload can help keep the water and electrolyte balance in your body stable.

Electrolyte deficiency and its triggers

There are two types of electrolyte deficiency:

  • Absolute electrolyte deficiency
  • Relative electrolyte deficiency


An absolute electrolyte deficiency is when one or more electrolytes are actually missing. A relative electrolyte deficiency occurs much more frequently. And that is when our water balance has changed. If fluid is supplied to the body, e.g. in the form of water, leads to a "dilution" of the electrolytes present in the body and causes their concentration to be lowered.

Woman sweating while exercising

In principle, an electrolyte deficiency is often caused by:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Vomit
  • Diarrhoea
  • Kidney disease
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Malnutrition
  • Bulimia
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Dehydration medications
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Cardiac insufficiency

How many electrolytes do I need?

We absorb electrolytes through our daily diet. We have a different daily requirement for each of these fabrics. The following table shows which reference values are recommended by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) and in which foods the respective nutrients are found.

 

Electrolytes

Daily intake adults (in mg)

Food

Sodium

1.550

·       Salt

·      Processed foods, such as bread or cheese

Potassium

4.000

·       Soybeans

·       Dried fruit

·       Nuts

·       Avocado

·       Bananas

Magnesium

300-350

·       Poppy

·       Hard cheese

·       Sesame

Chloride

2.300

·       Salt

·      Processed foods, such as bread or cheese

Calcium

1.000

·       Whole grains

·       Broccoli

·       Poultry

·       Fish

·       Milk

·       Dairy products

·       Mineral water

Eisen

10-15

·       Meat

·       Liver

·       Whole grains

·      Pulses

Exact quantities of the respective foods can be found at the DGE.

 

Especially in babies and toddlers, a critical condition is quickly reached. Electrolyte deficiency can also develop more quickly in older people or pregnant women due to an increased need for iron (e.g. iron).

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How do I notice an electrolyte deficiency?

There are patients who initially have no symptoms at all with an electrolyte deficiency. Others experience the following typical complaints:

Man is exhausted from lack of electrolytes
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle cramps and weakness
  • Paralysis
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Hypertension
  • Nausea
  • Chest pain
  • Lethargy and confusion
  • Headache
  • Unconsciousness

Both the intensity and the symptoms themselves vary and depend on which electrolyte is out of balance. Often there is a deficiency of several electrolytes. In addition to diarrhea, a derailment of the electrolyte balance is often observed with regular sports and physical work. Through sweating, the body loses not only water, but also important minerals.

 

Compensating for electrolyte deficiencies: this is how it works

If we lose electrolytes due to diarrhoea or increased sweating during sports, it is important to rebalance the electrolyte balance. Electrolyte-containing foods will help with this. In order to maintain balance, it is important to consume enough fruits and vegetables. Five servings a day are ideal. In addition, you should drink at least two liters of water every day.
You can also compensate for an electrolyte deficiency with electrolyte solutions. Some electrolyte solutions contain both sugars and salts. These are needed for numerous metabolic processes. Combined, these substances are better absorbed into the blood via the intestines.
Medicines, such as Elotrans® or Oral pedophile®, not only help adults, but can also be used in children and infants to quickly compensate for fluid and electrolyte losses in diarrhoea.
Electrolyte-glucose mixtures such as ELOTRANS® reload are particularly recommended for physical exertion and exhaustion: the dietary supplement contains a composition of important electrolytes for those who are active in sports.®

 

Packshot ELOTRANS® Powder

Elotrans® Electrolytes for diarrheoa

  • To support the body after strenuous activities or in case of exhaustion

  • Contributes to water and electrolyte balance

  • Elotrans® reload is vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and preservative-free®

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