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Dietary Electrolytes

Meaning

Dietary electrolytes are essential minerals, including sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium, that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids. These charged ions are critical for maintaining fluid balance, nerve signal transmission, muscle contraction, and overall cellular function. In the context of hormonal health, their concentration is tightly regulated by hormones like aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), underscoring their integral role in systemic homeostasis. Imbalances, particularly of sodium and potassium, can profoundly affect cardiovascular and neuromuscular function.