Electrolytes??

UnleashingLovely

Okay, sports drinks restore them. Got it. But what are they?! How do you know when you need more? Lack of them makes you feel what? Weak? Shakey? Hungry? I am clueless...

mjsunshine16

This may help you out: http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Electrolytes_101.htm

BrianSharpe

Electrolytes are things like sodium, potassium, magnesium etc that are essential for your body to function. A severe lack of them may make you feel dead (that's what often kills anorexics - irregular heart rhythms caused by electrolyte imbalances).

The usual first symptom is cramps (often in your calves).

If you listen to the sports drink makers you should be drinking copious quantities of their products, the truth is that the need varies from person to person but it's based largely on your sweat rate. Personally I only use them on runs of 2 hours or more (my home made gel has sodium and potassium in it already).

mcarter99

If you're not an endurance athlete or battling severe diarrhea or vomiting, you probably don't ever need to use electrolyte replacement products.