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ElectroCarbs Q & A: Sodium vs. Potassium Ratios

 The following conversation is from an exchange of e-mails between Dr. Jay Lehr and Jim Feijo, founder of BioMolecular Nutrition. Read to find out why Gatorade is not so great, Pedialyte is actually dangerous, and why ElectroCarbs® contain precisely what your body needs: whether you are in training, performing, or you feel your energy flagging.

Dr. Jay Lehr's Question:

   "I was sharing my success this weekend with a friend of mine, who is an MD and nutrition nut, as well as a competitive cyclist. He questioned the ratio of sodium to potassium (10mg of sodium vs. 400mg of potassium)in your Electrocarbs. He thinks it's upside down and should contain much more sodium. What should I tell him are the reasons that you set it where it is?

Jim Feijo's Answer:  

   "If you research the sodium potassium ratio in human tissues, you'll find that the present acceptable sports drinks and teaching are actually dangerous. Almost every sports drink and teaching are the ones that are "upside down" and contribute to dehydration and cramping. Also, if you were to analyze fruits and vegetables, you would find that their ratios of sodium-potassium (NaK) are closely followed within our Electrocarbs formula. I followed the Biblical principles laid out in Deuteronomy, where we are told "do not muzzle the oxen while it threshes out the grain." I found the Biblical formula complete for creating the  perfect sports drink, Electrocarbs. The proper levels of B vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals presented there are for our knowledge.

   Further, my wife Tricia refers to Electrocarbs as "Liquid Banana" because it is clear that the sodium-potassium (NaK) ratios are 100 Na (sodium) to 400-500 K (potassium) in the fruit, as well as in our Electrocarbs. This is more in line with the body's tissue ratios of approximately 5 Na (sodium) to 20 K (potassium). Even sports nutritionists tell their athletes to eat bananas. Unfortunately, they're not smart enough to know about SDA, Specific Dynamic Action.

   So a 1-4 or 1-5 ratio seems to be a good guide to restore these minerals. Pedialyte and Gatorade are 4-1: the exact opposite to our bodies. The old belief that the body fluid is like ocean water is a misnomer. Everyone knows that if you are lost at sea you don't drink the salt water. Why? Because it dehydrates! With the increase of sodium (Na), there is a corresponding increase in lost body fluids. So it is with Gatorade and Pedialyte and all other sports performance drinks. Daniel Chapter One was the first to recognize and incorporate this principle. And we still are, as far as we can see.

   So why do we have so low a Na (sodium) in our Electrocarbs formula (with a 1-40 ratio)? Sodium is high in foods; therefore, it is easy to replace. Potassium,on the other hand, is not so easy to replace, but even if athletes had good foods (high in fruits and veggies), they would be struggling to restore mineral homeostasis. The reason for this is SDA: Specific Dynamic Action, and negative thermogenesis.

    Excess sodium (NA) will only increase water retention, not improve performance. Increased water retention is dangerous and will hinder performance; much like the result from using creatine, which acts as a reverse diuretic. As the engine in a car seizes up when over heated, so will the athlete. All that is done with a 20 Na(sodium) to 5 K(potassium) ratio is to "boil water" in hardworking tissues.

   We not only use Electrocarbs for athletes, but also for infants, instead of Pedialyte, which is very dangerous for babies for the same reasons. MD's would do their patients a lot of good if they would stop recommending Pedialyte and Gatorade, two very dangerous products.

   Athletes can always add more salt, but they can't take it away once it's in the product. We designed Electrocarbs specifically so that each individual can use that option if it would ever be needed. I haven't seen a need yet, but one can never tell.

    So you see, if someone, an athlete or a child, were to take Pedialyte or Gatorade and they needed to have more sodium, then they would be in real trouble. It would be almost impossible to accomplish with foods. Even in cases of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or severe dehydration, an intravenous drip can't accomplish what one can by using Electrocarbs.

Thanks, and Keep Training!"