What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are substances that become electrically charged when they are in a solution (the fluids of the body).
Some common electrolytes are:
* The three main electrolytes are chloride, potassium and sodium.
Important electrolytes facts
- The kidneys work hard to ensure there are correct levels of all the electrolytes in the body
- The electrolytes help to balance blood pH
- The electrolytes manage body fluid levels in and around the cells
Why electrolytes are important
Electrolytes are important for normal functioning of the cells, tissues and organs in the body and they need to be in a correct balance to achieve this.
Electrolytes are also important as they are used to main electrical voltage across cell membranes, to allow nerves to carry electrical impulses and to allow musces to contract.