Re: electrolytes?

wickedlylu,

electrolytes are essentially mineral salts: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and sulfate.

Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use and need to maintain electrical voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells.
Your kidneys will work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body. For example, when you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium.

However, electrolyte deficiencies on a water-fast are extremely rare and can only usually occur on an extended fast.
Dr Joel Fuhrman MD broke his own 46 day Water Fast because of these electrolyte deficiencies.
It is highly unlikely that a deficiency will occur until well beyond the 40 day mark as the body has an inherent ability to conserve its electrolytes for the maximum time possible in times of food deprivation/famine in an effort to stave off actual starvation......................
http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020127shelton.III/020127.ch18.htm


Regards

Chrisb1.