When You’re Just Not Feeling 100%

April 9, 2014 By Leanne Vogel November 4, 2018

Before I began a hot yoga practice, even as a Nutrition Educator, I didn’t fully value the role that electrolytes played in my body. The day following a hot and sweaty yoga class, I wouldn’t feel “right”. My muscles ached, I felt slightly nauseous and was generally weakened. It took me a pretty long time to figure out that all of this was being caused by a lack of electrolytes.

Blood, plasma, interstitial fluid (the fluid between cells) are made up of “electrolytes” – sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and sulfate. They are what your cells (especially in your nerves, heart, and muscles) use to deliver electrical impulses (nerve impulses and muscle contractions) between each other.

The kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant regardless of what’s going on around you. When you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium. Electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. If they aren’t (and here’s the kicker) you can experience things like…

• muscle aches, cramps and abnormal weakness
• irregular heartbeats
• dizziness
• difficulty breathing
• dark colored urine
• dry mouth
• abdominal cramping

There are a lot of products out there that aid in the replenishment of electrolytes. My concern with many of them is that they are loaded with unnecessary sugars (which companies claim will be used up by the body in activity, but it’s still not a clean source of energy so I’m not all for it). And also, that they only replenish the potassium and sodium stores… but not any of the other electrolytes.

I was introduced to Ultima Electrolyte Replenisher while I was training for a half marathon. What immediately caught my attention was that it had no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Also, the ingredients are non-GMO, MSG-free, free from soy, corn, gluten and all animal products.

The powder is not colored, full-on natural, and delivers the same amount of electrolytes as other sports drinks.

The base of Ultima is made from rice. So, if you’re grain-free, this may not be the electrolyte mix for you.

I generally bring along the single serving Ultima Replenisher packets in my yoga bag for easy replenishment. Drop it in the ice water and go!

This giveaway has ended.

This post was sponsored by Ultima Replenisher. All opinions expressed herein are those of Healthful Pursuit Inc. and are not indicative of the positions or opinions of Ultima Replenisher. Thank you for supporting the brands that I choose to feature here.

This entry was tagged: running, training, yoga