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Potassium: Recently there has been a cry for increased sodium (NA) intake during athletic competition, especially for endurance athletes. Doctors warn of the dangers of hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood) and stress the “need” for high sodium intake during competition. Basic bio-chemistry tells us that if the proper level of potassium (K) is not maintained, the body’s ability to absorb sodium and reabsorb sodium (from the filtrate) is severely reduced. In fact, if there is insufficient potassium, sodium will be excreted from the body (through the sweat and urine), taking water with it.  Resulting in dehydration and muscle cramping (that’s why experts tell us not to drink the salt water if we are ever stranded at sea and are suffering from  dehydration—the high sodium levels only make the situation worse). As long as the proper levels of potassium to sodium are maintained the body can recover sodium from the filtrate (via the sodium potassium pump) and absorb any new sodium that is ingested. Too much sodium makes it almost impossible to maintain a proper balance of NA to K due to the large amounts of potassium that would have to be ingested. With the proper dietary intake This is just another reason for athletes and non-athletes to use ElecrtroCarbs Bananas are probably the best known dietary sources of potassium, but other foods rich in potassium include avocados, citrus fruits (oranges), green leafy vegetables, milk, and nuts.

The above mentioned study tracked the amount of potassium the people consumed, the level of potassium circulating in their blood, and use of diuretics (water pills) over a four- to six-year period. Researchers followed about 5,600 men and women over the age of 65 who had never suffered a stroke. High blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease are some diseases that are treated with diuretics. These drugs work by increasing urine production by the kidneys and reducing the amount of water in the body. A common side effect of diuretics is that they lower potassium levels. Researchers found people who were taking diuretics that also had the lowest levels of potassium in the blood were 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than diuretic users with the highest potassium levels. The mass marketed pseudo sports drinks destroy the proper NaK (sodium potassium) ratios. They are high sodium, which causes greater blood potassium depletion! The use of ElectroCarbs® however, is necessary to maintain the proper NaK ratios and will aid in the normalizing of tissue water as well.