Sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and chlorine, all minerals found in the blood and bodily fluids, are called electrolytes. The National Institutes of Health explains they are given this name because they carry an electric charge. While these vital minerals can become unbalanced due to daily activities or illness, balance can often be restored through diet.
Function
Electrolytes help maintain an appropriate balance of fluids in the body. The minerals also help control the function of your muscles and nerves.
Balance
The body's electrolytes can become unbalanced when the kidneys cannot filter the minerals properly. Liver and heart disease and the use of some prescription medications can also lead to electrolyte imbalance, according to the Merck Manual.
Replacement
Replacing electrolytes can be as easy as drinking water and sports drinks after working out or sweating profusely. Sweating is one of the main ways in which electrolytes are lost, according to the National Institutes of Health. Medical treatment might be required to replace electrolyte imbalances caused by illness.
Food Sources
Foods rich in potassium, including bananas, spinach, pinto beans and avocados, are dietary sources of electrolytes. Salty foods can also be a dietary source for replacing lost electrolytes.
Monitoring
Monitoring of electrolyte levels is important for people who have kidney, liver or heart disease. People who take anabolic steroids and diuretic medications might also require a routine blood test to check electrolyte levels, according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
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