Are Electrolyte Drinks for You?
By: Dawn Hughes

Clinical Studies have established that the average CFIDS patient has only 70% of normal blood volume. This means there is less blood in the body than there should be.  The symptoms of low blood volume may include anxiety attacks, cold hands and feet, dry eyes, light-headedness when standing up, and fatigue. And some believe it may even cause mitral value problems. In addition, studies on fibromyalgia have shown evidence of dehydration which causes low blood pressure as well as electrolyte imbalances.

The theory of low blood volume is that there is a faulty feedback mechanism in the brain that does not alert the body that it needs more water. When fluid levels drop, the brain produces more adrenaline so the heart has to pump more blood to compensate for this.

Dr. Bell hypothesized that the low blood volume could account for the prevalence of orthostatic intolerance (worsened symptoms upon standing) in CFIDS, because the limited amount of blood tended to pool in the legs and feet, with a corresponding drop in the amount available to the brain. The result?  Those awful sensations of heaviness…like you are wearing lead boots.

Evidence is mounting, this is a core problem in CFIDS, as well as reduced cerebral blood flow.  To counteract the symptoms of low blood volume many CFS/FMS specialists including: Cheney, Bell, and Streeten, recommend drinking one quart of an electrolyte solution daily on an empty stomach. There are more medications to treat orthostatic intolerance, but if drinking electrolyte liquids help part of the problem, it is a subject worth exploring with your physician.

Why electrolytes? Electrolytes are salts.  FMS/CFS patients are often low in salt and often that lucky part of the population that can enjoy a high salt diet. Your physician can perform electrolyte testing to make sure you are in this percentage group.  If you are, electrolyte drinks will improve the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood and give you relief from fatigue and muscle pain. 

The ingredient glucose is an acceptable sugar because it allows all ingredients to be more easily absorbed through the stomach lining. Your ingredients should look something like this:  Glucose, citric acid, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium chloride, magnesium gluconate, calcium gluconate. Some flavors may contain magnesium and calcium “citrates” in place of the gluconates.  Stomach buffers such as: Citric acid, sodium bicarbonate and dipotassium phosphate are a plus.  Sometimes ingredients may even include ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 

When shopping for an electrolyte drink, don’t grab the first bottle of Gatorade! Shop for quality and look for sugar free and naturally flavored powders that are easily absorbed.