Even if you're not a professional athlete, you've certainly heard the word "electrolyte." It is an essential mineral for the human body and its electrical signature helps the body perform key functions. Electrolytes are widely distributed inside and outside cells and participate in human metabolic activities to maintain normal human function. The body's electrolytes balance water, conduct nerve impulses and stimulate muscle contractions, as well as regulate the body's PH.

We can get electrolytes by eating a variety of healthy foods, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Common electrolytes include: sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, etc.

When it comes to losing weight, many people will think of the popular "ketogenic diet", and the low-carbohydrate diet represented by the "ketogenic diet" is regarded by many people as a sharp tool for rapid weight loss. Does it work well or not? Will there be an electrolyte imbalance?

In fact, the ketogenic diet is a diet with a very high percentage of fat intake, a moderate percentage of protein intake, and a very low percentage of carbohydrates intake.

This diet is designed to force the body to rely primarily on fat, rather than carbohydrates, for energy by limiting carbohydrate intake. Ketogenic "ketones" are a metabolic form of fat.

Does the ketogenic diet lead to electrolyte loss?

It is possible. When we start the low-carb and ketogenic diets that restrict carbohydrates, the first electrolyte to be affected is: sodium, which is due to reduced insulin secretion due to carbohydrate restriction, while high plasma insulin levels stimulate the reabsorption of sodium by the distal nephron segment, and when insulin levels drop, more sodium is not reabsorbed and excreted from the kidneys with urine.

When the concentration of sodium ions in the blood is too low, it will stimulate the adrenal gland to secrete aldosterone hormone, aldosterone mainly acts on the kidneys, its main function is to promote the reabsorption of sodium and water, and the cost is the excretion of potassium into the urine, so in this process, it will be accompanied by the loss of potassium.

So low-carb diets and ketogenic diets, and anything else that might cause insulin levels to drop, will cause sodium and potassium to be lost.

For people who are losing weight, or those who are on a ketogenic diet, there is a need to supplement certain electrolytes. Especially if you are also engaged in strong physical labor, endurance sports, or any type of vigorous exercise, your electrolyte consumption may increase to the point that you are unable to fully obtain enough electrolytes from your diet, in which case it is recommended to choose to take supplements, or specifically add electrolyte-rich foods.

Trace ketogenic electrolyte tablets can provide the full spectrum of electrolytes that the body may lack, to help avoid electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration, leg or other muscle cramps, especially suitable for ketogenic diet, sports and fitness people and strong manual workers, and is also popular in the market.