Electrolyte

Electrolytes are essential to homeostasis, the normal functioning of the human body, and play a key role in metabolism. A lack of electrolytes, incorrect electrolyte balance, too little or too much of an electrolyte can cause serious health problems, and in extreme cases death.

In medicine, the term electrolytes refers to a mineral that has been dissociated from a salt that carries an electrical charge (an ion). For example, sodium ions are often referred to as electrolytes.

Electrolytes that play a key role in the human body are:

• Potassium
• Sodium, for example table salt (sodium chloride) or saline
• chloride
• bicarbonate
• calcium, and
• phosphate

Less important roles are played by magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and chromium.

Sources

Electrolytes are present in food and drinks (including trace amounts in water). They are also available as supplements, and some can be injected or provided intravenously.

ME/CFS

Electrolytes are a possible treatment for the energy metabolism and ion transportation problems found in M.E.

See also

• Potassium
• Sodium
• Minerals
• Ion transportation
• Channelopathy
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
• List of electrolytes

Learn more

• Electrolytes - Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary

homeostasis the maintenance of stable internal biological conditions (e.g. body temperature) in a changable environmen

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

central nervous system (CNS) - One of the two parts of the human nervous system, the other part being the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that travel from the central nervous system into the various organs and tissues of the body.