What are Electrolytes and what do they do

What are Electrolytes and what do they do

Electrolytes are the smallest of chemicals that are important for the cells in a person's body to function and allow their body to work.

Electrolytes - Minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. The electrolytes urine test measures electrolytes in urine. It usually measures the levels of calcium, chloride, potassium, or sodium. Common electrolytes include: Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium and Sodium.

Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and others are crucial in allowing a person's cells to generate energy, maintain the stability of cell walls, as well as to function overall. They generate electricity, contract muscles, move fluids and water within a person's body and participate in a number of additional activities.

The concentration of electrolytes in a person's body is controlled by various hormones, the majority of which are manufactured in the person's kidney and adrenal glands. Sensors in specialized kidney cells monitor the amount of potassium, sodium and water in a person's bloodstream. A person's body functions in a truly narrow range of average and it is hormones such as, 'renin,' which is produced in the kidney, 'angiotensin,' from a person's brain, lung, and heart, 'aldosterone,' from their adrenal gland and, 'antidiuretic,' hormone from their pituitary that keep their electrolyte balance within average limits. Keeping electrolyte concentrations in balance also includes stimulation of a person's thirst mechanism when their body becomes dehydrated.