Caribbean Recipes | Business Directory | Carnival | Advertise | RSS Feed  
 
 
  TrishaCorner.com  
Caribbean Businesses
Caribbean Radio Stations
Carnival Information
Event Listings
Marylin St. Hill
Podcasts
The Real Estate Pro
Trishas Corner Recipes
Venue Listings
  Carib101.com Newsletter  
 
Receive information on events, contests and much more!!

Sign up now!
  Carib101.com Everywhere  
 
 
  ELECTROLYTES  
 
 

By Marilyn St. Hill
Super Fitness Model/Spokesperson

Electrolytes! What are they? How important are they? Given the amount of times this word is mentioned in relation to exercise, my guess? Pretty important. My educated guess lets me assure you that electrolytes are extremely important
for our bodies to function correctly. Electrolytes are "substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity."(www.medicinenet.com)

Electrolytes are generally found in sports drinks. "Electrolytes replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by exercise, diaphoresis,
diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication or starvation." (www.wikipedia.com) Anyone who exercises for three or more hours without replacing there electrolytes will take the chance of running the risk of health problems.. If you have the appropriate measurements, you can make an electrolyte drink at home. All you would need is the proper amount of

 
 

water, sugar, salt, salt substitute(potassium), baking soda, calcium and sodium choride.

You can consume electrolytes by liquid or pill. Children shouldn't consume sports drinks because they are high in sugar. However...one myth is that sports drink are bad drinks that are high in sugar and calories. "Ounce for ounce, sports drinks have about half the calories and sugar of fruit juice or regular soft drinks. For example, Gatorade has only 50 calories and 14 grams carbohydrate per 8-oz serving versus fruit juice or regular pop, which have 100 to 110 calories and 27 grams of carbohydrate per 8 oz serving." (www.cascadesswimming.com).

In plain terms, electrolytes refer to salts, more specifically ions. These salts can mean the difference between proper body function, and a lot of problems. The major electrolytes for your body are:

*sodium (Na+)
*potassium (K+)
*chloride (Cl-)
*calcium (Ca2+)
*magnesium (Mg2+)
*bicarbonate (HCO3-)
*phosphate (PO42-)
*sulfate (SO42-)

Electrolytes are important because your cells need them. Your heart, nerves and muscles especially. Our cells use electrolytes to keep the electricity stable across the cell membrane and to carry electrical impulses. Sports drinks with electrolytes help the body in recovery but taking these drinks should depend on "the length, type and intensity of exercise and personal preferences. Exercise raises the body temperature, which causes sweating and loss of water and salts."
(http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com). Be smart! Be aware of what's going on with your body.

 
 Articles
EGGS! WHAT'S UP WITH THE YOLK?

The Egg. For years, it has been a myth that the yellow part of the egg, or yolk is high in cholesterol and bad for you. Or is it a myth? Well, the truth is, the yellow
part of the egg is indeed high in cholesterol. However, it is high in good cholesterol. "It's not the amount of cholesterol...
Read More

WHOLEFOODS

Whole foods are foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. These foods are full of essential vitamins and minerals that can help protect our bodies from chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, some cancers and diabetes. Whole foods are also full of proteins, enzymes... Read More

OVER TRAINING

In the beginning phase you learn the level of fitness of the body. During training "the targets level of fitness decreases and training becomes a catabolic process" (www.wikipedia.org) The third stage is the recovery process. The body will enter a recovery stage and will rejuvenate to the initial fitness level... Read More

HYPERTENSION

How important is it for you to know your own blood pressure? Do you know what your blood pressure is? High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death in Canada. Why? Mainly because there are no symptoms. You will never know whether your blood pressure is high or low unless you check it... Read More

SUSHI

In North America, western sushi is the most popular. California roll, dynamite roll, caterpillar roll, rainbow roll, spider roll, salmon roll, crunchy roll and seattle roll all fall under the category of western sushi. All sushi uses rice as a base and compliments with other ingredients... Read More

ELECTROLYTES

Electrolytes! What are they? How important are they? Given the amount of times this word is mentioned in relation to exercise, my guess? Pretty important. My educated guess lets me assure you that electrolytes are extremely important for our bodies to function correctly. Electrolytes are "substances that... Read More

WHAT ABOUT GLUTEN?

Gluten is a protein included in various foods like breads, flours, frozen yogurt, cereals, salad dressings and even dried fruit. People with Celiac disease (also known as Coeliac disease) have "an abnormal immune reaction to partially digested gliadin..."Read More

UNDERSTANDING BODY MASS INDEX

BMI, the acronym for Body Mass Index "is defined as the individuals body weight divided by the square of his or her weight." (www.wikipedia.org)
Originating as early as the 1830's, BMI really only became popular in the early 1950's and 60's. At this time, western societies were begininning...
Read More

LETS BEAT OBESITY

Maintaining a healthy weight can mean life or death. Obesity is a disease that Canadians face. Statistically people who are overweight, do not live as long as those who maintain a “normal” weight... Read More

ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN?

Are you a vegetarian? “A vegetarian is someone who chooses not to eat meat, poultry, fish or by products of meat and fish, such as gelatin” (The Vegetarian Cookbook, pg. 10) There are different types of vegetarians. For instance, lacto-ovo-vegetarians allow eggs and dairy products in their diets... Read More

PESTICIDES

Pesticides, most commonly known as being used in grocery stores and any other company that manages food, have been around for quite sometime. As early as the 15th century, toxic substances like arsenic, lead and mercury were being used by farmers who would apply these chemicals ... Read More

THE DANGERS OF LOW-CARB DIETS

For several years there has been a craze called "the low-carb diet". The assumption that follows low-carb diets is that if you eat little or no carbs, you will lose weight. True? Yes! Effective? No? Best method? No? Long-term? Gosh no! Lets look deeper into why.  Read More

THE BENEFITS OF A PERSONAL TRAINER

The article you are about to read is a special story to me. As a
personal trainer, I consider it my duty to inform the public about how beneficial a personal trainer can really be. Everyday I help, educate and motivate clients. I dish out efficient workouts that help them get closer and closer to reaching their ultimate goal.
Read More

HEART HEALTH

On February 20th and 21st 2009, the Trillum Health Centre Foundation held their annual 24-hour spin. The spin is held every year to raise money for the Hazel McCallion Centre for heart health, "the Trillium Health Centre's newly named, regionally acclaimed, advanced cardial care program" (www.24-hourspin.com), in Mississauga. Read More

TIME FOR AN ENERGY BOOST!

Improved energy levels is the number one desire for some. Attaining higher levels is possible, but not without knowledge, focus and ofcourse, change. In this article, you will learn ways in which we lose energy and ways in which we can gain more.
Read More

ELIMINATE CRAVINGS FOR GOOD!

Everyone gets cravings. Whether it's late at night or in the middle of the day, there's a time in everyones life when they just feel like chocolate, or something salty or something sweet. What is a craving? Well, a craving is "a strong desire for particular foods or types of food." Read More

GO NATURAL!

As the winter months progress, so does the chance of catching a virus. Once a cold hits, most of us run straight to the drugstore for a quick fix. Is this the best solution? Some might argue no. People such as holistic specialists or ... Read More

STRESS

Consider your stress level. Where do you place on the stress scale? The anxious feeling controls everyone at one time or another. Stress can arise from bad situations, but you can also feel stress from good sitautions. Read More

STRENGTH TRAINING: WHAT WE ALL SHOULD KNOW! 

Strength training, also referred to as weight training is one of the best things you can do for your body and health. There are a tremendous amount of benefits to incorporating this type of exercise. Regardless of age or gender, everyone needs to lift weights. Read More

SUPERFOODS!

Essential for healthy living, superfoods should be added to every diet. Adding superfoods to your daily meals will change your whole life! Superfoods have been proven to prevent (and in some cases) reverse diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and some cancers. Read More

TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP?

How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Millions of canadians suffer from lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation is "a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep." (www.wikipedia.com) Meaning, the sleep that your body should be getting, it's not getting! Read More

HOW SAFE IS YOUR CHICKEN?

Chicken! A popular choice by many at dinner or lunch. High in protein, low in fats and carbohydrates, chicken has many benefits and is a very important part of many peoples diets. However, with several cases of illness and death due to meat and poultry consumption, there are some things you should know! Read More


WHY EGGPLANT?

Anyone who decides to consume a healthy and balanced diet, first struggles with the question, What do I eat? Eggplant, not always at the top of the list, has many nutritional benefits. Read More