Doctors often order an electrolyte panel as part of the routine blood tests you might expect with an annual physical. The test can help your doctor determine the state of your health, especially during an illness, such as the flu, or if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes. When it comes to electrolytes and your diet, balance is a key component to keeping them normal.
Identification
Electrolytes are minerals or dissolved salts found in your tissue and blood. Doctors measure the electrolyte levels in your system by checking blood drawn from a vein, usually from your arm. The four main electrolytes are potassium, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. Your body takes sodium, potassium and chloride from the foods and beverages you consume. Your kidneys excrete bicarbonate.
Significance
Electrolytes keep nerves and muscles functioning normally while maintaining normal fluid levels in your body's cells. Your kidneys, brain, heart and other vital systems depend on this to function normally. Potassium, for instance, helps regulate your heart's contractions. Too much or too little potassium can throw heart rhythm off and may eventually cause your heart to stop. Sodium levels affect the amount of water in your body. Chloride balances electrical neutrality and bicarbonate works to maintain a normal pH level.
Your Diet and Electrolytes
If your electrolytes are out of balance, but you're otherwise healthy, your doctor may look to your diet as the cause of the imbalance. If your potassium is low, he may suggest you start eating more potassium-rich foods, such as apples, raisins or green leafy vegetables. High sodium levels may mean you need to cut back on sodium-rich foods, such as green olives, cheese and processed foods. Taking too many antacids or using large quantities of baking soda as an antacid may lower chloride levels.
Considerations
While your diet sometimes throws your electrolyte balance off, impaired kidney function and certain hormone imbalances may start or worsen the problem. Aldostrone, for instance, is a hormone that increases the loss of potassium through your urine, according to the Merck Manuals of Medical Information. High aldosterone levels are sometimes associated with an adrenal disorder called Cushing's disease. Certain medications, such as diuretics, also affect electrolytes. Dehydration during an illness, caused by vomiting or diarrhea, can also cause instability in your electrolyte levels.
Expert Insight
Weight-loss diets that severely restrict your calorie consumption can dangerously alter your electrolytes. What you may consider a quick and easy way to lose excess pounds can actually cause your body to react as it would if it were starving, which can impair your kidney function, respiratory system and heart rhythm.
