Electrolyte imbalance plays a huge role in staying hydrated and healthy. And while commercial products promise to hydrate and replenish electrolytes, they often aren’t as natural, missing the mark in some ways. Sometimes those commercial products that were created in a laboratory can force our bodies to hydrate in a not-so-natural way.
Natural electrolytes matter a lot! They help regulate nerve and muscle function, blood pressure, hydration, and our bodies’ pH levels. Whenever we sweat, our bodies are losing electrolytes, and we need to replace them. If there is a deficiency of our electrolytes, we may experience fatigue, muscle cramping, irregular, heartbeat, or even seizures. Yikes! Essential minerals like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and bicarbonate must be kept in a beautiful balance to keep our body running at it’s prime factor settings.
My problem with commercial electrolyte supplements is that they often contain artificial colors and refined sugar. Those ingredients only serve to complicate our bodies’ need for simple rehydration. It is not something I want to force my body to handle, especially when I have an electrolyte imbalance.
Good news! There are ways to get the natural electrolytes you need without resorting to these processed products. God knew what He was doing when he designed our bodies.
Our Bodies Need Sodium During An Electrolyte Imbalance
Have you ever noticed that when sweat runs onto your lips, it tastes salty? That is the sodium which is being depleted from your body fluids. Whenever we sweat, we are losing some sodium, which usually is replaced in daily routines. When we sweat hard, have a fever/vomiting/diarrhea, it takes a purposeful effort to rehydrate and keep the electrolytes balanced.
ONE IMPORTANT NOTE – people with high blood pressure need to consult with a doctor about sodium supplementation. If we consume too much sodium, it can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis.
Another thing to think over is whether you are eating a diet that is already high in sodium. The typical American diet has a lot of high-sodium processed foods. This means many Americans are already getting more than the recommended amounts.
Sea Salt Is a Natural Electrolyte Booster
Sea salt contains mostly sodium chloride, which is one of the minerals crucial for electrolyte balance, regulating hydration, and body pressure. Sea salt contains other trace minerals that are important for this balance, like potassium, and calcium.
Sea salt goes through minimal processing. It is considered to be nutritionally superior to processed table salt (with the electrolyte minerals left in tact). When table salt is prepared, it gets heavily processed, which removes most of the nutrients.
How To Get Sea Salt To Prevent Electrolyte Imbalance
Again, pick sea salt over table salt. Himalayan and Celtic sea salts are better choices, which are typically found in most grocery stores. Use sea salt instead of table salt whenever you cook.
You can use sea salt to rehydrate during those most demanding times. Add just a pinch in your drinking water. When I add a pinch to my 25 ounce sports cup, I don’t even taste it. Just a little does a lot! It’s that simple to do.
I add this pinch of sea salt just once a day. No need to overdo it. There are additional benefits to using small amounts of sea salt: digestion support, skin health, and it reduces inflammation. Again-don’t overdo it with your salt intake.
The Bible Talks About Salt
Throughout the Bible, there are passages that show the importance of salt. It was used for seasoning, for preservation, as a disinfectant, and for ceremonial offerings. Salt was extremely crucial, yet it was not necessarily easy to get. It was one of the precious spices. I truly doubt that we value salt today the way the Israelites did.
In today’s world, salt is taken for granted. Sometimes we toss it on the road, toss it over our shoulder, or ignore the little packet that comes with our french fries. Then I look a bit further at what God says in combination with salt.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
God encourages His people to be tasty and flavorful in life and faith. And then He says His people need to be light, not hidden, but giving light to everyone. All of this serves to glorify God. Deeper than that, God knows that salt is so vitally important in maintaining us to prevent electrolyte imbalance. Something so simple as salt can mean so much.
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6
One last quote for today:
“Don’t be a pepper on the eyes of people; Rather be the salt on their tongue and make a difference that influences their sense of belonging to the earth.”
Israelmore Ayivor
So often, my Chemical Minimalist perspective causes me to look at a physical concept and apply it to spiritual things. Sometimes I take spiritual things and apply it to physical concepts. I hope to be like salt to those around me. While I know I have the power to be too strong, I hope to offer flavor in the balance of being “just right”. That also means I stay true to who I am, trusting God to help me seek out those who need my flavor.
Enjoy your healthy life!
Pam Schmidt
Chemical Minimalist
https://chemicalminimalist.com/
Mindfulness Mentor
P.S. Snag a private consultation with me to get clear on your next steps toward your Chemical Minimalist, happy, healthy life!
