Red blood cells are the transport mechanism through which all the cells in the body and brain receive oxygen, minerals and water – the building blocks of human function. Even if there is abundant water in your system, the osmotic pressure of the red blood cell will not permit the absorption of water absent the correct electrolytic balance. Dehydration and the acidic (sugar filled) diet of North Americans cause red blood cells to lose their external negative charge. As a result, they clump together like this:

When your blood cells are clumped together, water, oxygen and essential minerals can no longer get to or through all the little capillaries in your body. As such, systemic hydration is impossible. Unlike any other beverage available, ORAL I.V.™ changes the conductivity of the cell within 60 seconds of consumption through its unique formulation of Crystalloid Electrolytes and ultra-purified oxygenated water. This results in an immediate change to the electro-static charge as well as the osmotic pressure of the red blood cells. They absorb water quickly (shimmering white centers) causing instantaneous cellular hydration. The restored negative charge of the red blood cells keeps them apart as seen here:

These charged and hydrated blood cells can freely flow to every cell in the body, passing individually if necessary, through the smallest of blood vessels resulting in immediate and profound hydration. This further ensures the delivery to all cells essential micronutrients in microscopic crystalloid form for optimal cellular function.

ELECTROLYTES

Endurance will be compromised if hydration worsens. Heart rate increases and oxygen—as well as nutrient delivery to the muscles —can drop 10 percent even with mild exercise like hiking. When unreplaced water losses equal 2 percent of body weight, it will impact heat regulation. At 3 percent loss there is a decrease in muscle cell contraction time and at a 4 percent loss there is a 5-10 percent drop in overall performance, which can last up to four hours.

Lost with this fluid are electrolytes and essential minerals. Mineral replacement is essential to helping restore proper blood volume and blood sugar levels and is necessary for enzymatic reactions that promote proper blood volume. Without them, the quality of performance during long-term or explosive short-term exercise decreases.

Formulations with too many trace minerals in combination can actually prevent electrolyte formation because they can compete with one another for absorption. Too few trace minerals in a drink, on the other hand, are unable to form the proper electrolyte balance for the minerals to be able to enter the cell and maximize rehydration.

WHAT ARE ELECTROLYTES?

Electrolyte is a “medical/scientific” term for mineral salts, specifically ions. Electrolytes are the spark that keeps our bodies running. They are necessary for life. They are important because our cells (especially nerve, heart, and muscle) use them to maintain voltage across cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across to other cells.

These electro-chemicals influence the body’s pH – a chemical balance that determines how effectively the biological systems run. When there is a deficiency of body electricity, body functions slow down and eventually stop. Micronutrients play an important role in energy production, hemoglobin synthesis and maintenance of bone health, adequate immune function and the protection of body tissues from oxidative damage. They are also required to help build and repair muscle tissue following exercise.

Electrolytes facilitate delivery of oxygen to achieve and maintain peak brain function and proper nervous system response. The constant firing of micro-electric impulses across the synapses of the brain requires a great deal of energy. Only electrolytes can supply this. If, because of an imbalance, there isn’t enough oxygen available for the nerve cells to fire when needed, the brain functions less effectively. The body uses oxygen to turn nutrients into energy through the process of primary oxygenation. This simply means that electrolytes help the oxygen create a chemical reaction that ultimately allows the body to “burn” the nutrients as fuel. In a nutshell, bio-oxidation liberates energy – which facilitates life.

ELECTROLYTE/MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION

When the human body is electrolyte deficient, vital nutrients are not effectively oxidized. This compromises the body’s ability to get the fuel it needs to run at peak performance. Dehydration severely limits performance and may contribute to heat stroke, organ damage, and possibly death if the fluids are not replaced. Electrolytes are the life-giving force lost in the dehydration process accounting for the risk factor.

Sport drink and supplement manufacturers claiming their electrolyte-forming trace minerals facilitate proper rehydration may be only partially correct. According to Dr. Gerald Olarsch, N.D., too few trace minerals in a drink are unable to form the proper electrolyte balance to enter the cells and maximize rehydration. Too many trace minerals in combination can actually prevent electrolyte formation. The proper combinations of trace minerals are necessary for maximum hydration and to provide the benefits sought.