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| The Role of Electrolytes in the Body |
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| Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and |
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| have the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the |
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| human body, and the balance of these electrolytes is essential for the |
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| normal function of cells and organs. Electrolytes are critical for cells to |
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| generate energy, to maintain the stability of cell walls, and to function in |
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| general. They generate electricity, contract muscles, move water and |
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| fluids within the body, and participate in myriad other activities. |
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| The concentration of electrolytes in the body is controlled by a variety of |
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| hormones, most of which are manufactured in the kidney and the |
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| adrenal glands. Keeping electrolyte concentrations in balance also |
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| includes stimulating the thirst mechanism when the body gets |
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| The key electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and |
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| magnesium. Sodium regulates the amount of water in the body and is |
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| critical to the production of electric signals needed for body system |
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| communication. Potassium is essential for normal cell function. Among |
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| its many functions are regulation of the heartbeat and the function of the |
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| muscles. Chloride aids in maintaining a normal balance of bodily fluids. |
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| Bicarbonate acts as a buffer to maintain the normal levels of acidity (pH) |
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| in blood and other fluids in the body. Magnesium is involved in a variety |
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| of metabolic activities in the body, including relaxation of the smooth |
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| muscles. Magnesium is also a factor in many of the body’s enzymeregulated |
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