Electrolytes regulate our nerve and muscle function. It also regulates the body's hydration, blood pH, blood pressure, and also helps in rebuilding of damaged tissue.
Various mechanisms exist in our body that keeps the concentrations of different electrolytes under strict control. According to Disable World (2013), electrolytes are the smallest of chemicals that are important for the cells in a person's body to function and allow the body to work. All higher forms of life cannot exist without electrolytes, and that includes humans. In our bodies, electrolytes include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), bicarbonate (HCO3-, magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (C1-), hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-), and hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-). Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in electrolytes.
Our muscles and neurons are seen as electric tissues of the body. They are activated by electrolyte activity between extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid (fluid inside, between or outside cells).
Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and others are crucial in allowing a person's cells to generate energy, maintain the stability of cell walls, as well as to function overall (Disabled World, 2013)
They also generate electricity, contract muscles, move fluids and water within a person's body and participate in a number of additional activities.