Electrolytes in the Body

You have heard it before. The greater part of your body is made of water. The average person can survive up to a maximum of 3 weeks without food but cannot survive more than 3 days without water. Water is very important to the human body. Water is inside, in between, and around every cell in your body. But it is not water alone that is vital to survival but the numerous salts that are dissolved in the water. These salts are electrically charged particles and this is why they are called electrolytes.

Each of these electrolytes performs critical functions inside the body. Some electrolytes work with each other while others work with the body’s enzymes. These electrolytes were doing their jobs since the minute you were born. It is now time to get to know these electrolytes in the body.

Calcium

This electrolyte is famous for its important role in the formation of bones and teeth. Aside from this, calcium is also vital in keeping the heart beat normal and in maintaining the strength of the muscles.

Fluoride

This electrolyte is also needed in keeping the bones and teeth healthy and strong. Without fluoride, the teeth will easily crack and decay.

Magnesium

This electrolyte is very similar to calcium. It is also involved in the formation of bones and teeth. And it also helps in keeping the muscles function properly. But magnesium has another job, which is to activate the enzymes. The enzymes catalyze or assist in carrying out the chemical reactions inside the human body.

Phosphate

The phosphate is a big electrolyte because it is composed of five atoms. Four of them are oxygen and one is phosphorus. The phosphorus is also needed in the formation of bones and teeth. But this electrolyte has two unique jobs. The first one is to form the body’s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and the second one is to produce the energy that the body will need.

Zinc

This electrolyte is crucial to the body because it helps form the enzymes. As mentioned before, enzymes make the body’s chemical reactions happen. Zinc is also needed in keeping the skin healthy. Without zinc, the wounds will not heal well.

Iron

This electrolyte comes in two forms: the “heme” and the “non-heme.” As a heme, this electrolyte is similar to zinc. It helps in forming enzymes. As non-heme, this electrolyte becomes part of the muscle cells and the hemoglobin. The hemoglobin is the part of the blood that lets it carry oxygen towards the different parts of the body.

Selenium

This electrolyte is vital for helping the thyroid gland function do its job. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate many processes in the body. Aside from this, selenium works with Vitamin E to protect the cells from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can cause damage to the body tissues. Unfortunately, the body’s natural chemical reactions produce free radicals. The only way to stop these free radicals is to have antioxidants such as vitamin E and Selenium.

Iodine

This electrolyte helps the thyroid gland in producing the right amount of hormones.

Copper

This electrolyte is another antioxidant. But copper has other jobs. One is to produce energy. Another job is to help build the bone. And still another job is to produce red blood cells, connective tissues, and the hormone called epinephrine. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. It helps the body cope with emergency situations.

Chloride

This electrolyte keeps the other electrolytes working. Chloride alerts the body when there are not enough electrolytes.

Potassium

This electrolyte also helps maintain the electrolyte balance inside the body. It keeps the muscles and the nerve cells functioning properly.