Electrolytes: Attention Low Carb Athletes
Last week, we focused on carbohydrate-fuelled athletes. This week, we're shifting the spotlight to low-carb athletes. Regardless of the ongoing debates, one thing is clear: electrolytes are even more important for those following a low-carbohydrate diet.
Why are electrolytes crucial for low-carb athletes?
When you reduce your carbohydrate intake, your kidneys process sodium differently. As a result, they don’t retain sodium as effectively. For individuals with normal blood pressure, this means extra sodium is necessary to maintain balance in the body, as the kidneys now process it more quickly.
Magnesium is also essential for preserving potassium levels, which are especially important for low-carb athletes (as explained below). Additionally, magnesium helps lower stress hormones, supporting better sleep and recovery—two areas that can be challenging when carbohydrates are limited.
Due to the altered processing of electrolytes in the absence of carbohydrates, maintaining adequate potassium intake can become difficult as well. Research suggests that sodium and potassium intake should be balanced. Since sodium requirements increase when carbohydrates are restricted, potassium needs rise as well.
atplab's Electrolytes XL: A Clean, Effective Solution
Unlike many competitors, Electrolytes XL contains no sugar or artificial sweeteners. Yet, it still delivers all the essential electrolytes your body needs, including potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and zinc—a mineral lost through sweat, though not technically an electrolyte.
In addition, Electrolytes XL includes beetroot extract, which helps support oxygen delivery to working muscles, as well as 3g of coconut water powder—equivalent to about 21% of the liquid found in a fresh coconut.
Coconut water is the liquid endosperm of green coconuts, one of the most widely distributed fruit plants on Earth, and it’s perhaps best known as one of nature’s richest sources of potassium!
Electrolytes are important for all athletes, especially low carbohydrate ones. So make sure you stay hydrated with spring and summer with atplab's Electrolytes XL.
