Step Six:
Supply Electrolytes
Recognize the Critical Importance of Electrolytes to Recovery and
Be Sure They Are Generously Supplied
Why Electrolytes Are So Important
Potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl−), calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2), phosphate (PO4-3), sulfate (SO4-2), bicarbonate (HCO3–), and hydrogen (H+) are electrolytes (mineral salts) which ionize into electrically charged particles when dissolved in water within the body. The solution will then conduct electricity. These ions are essential to many body processes, especially transport of substances in and out of cells, muscle contraction and nerve impulse conduction.
Unless kidney function is impaired, the body can excrete excess electrolytes, but deficiencies of electrolytes (if not replaced by the diet) can only be compensated for by withdrawing stored electrolytes from body tissues. Once the body’s stores have been exhausted, blood electrolytes can no longer be maintained at high enough levels for the body to function. Unless immediate replacement through food, beverages, or medical support occurs, the individual is at high risk of death. The body can no longer maintain homeostasis.
The most frequent electrolyte abnormalities in starvation, according to the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (IR) 1 are:
- Hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels)
- Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels)
- Hypophosphatemia (low blood phosphate levels)
- Hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels)
Since potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all essential to normal heart and muscle function, deficiencies of any of these can be fatal if levels go low enough.