The final ingredient for proper fueling during exercise has to involve the electrolyte issue. Electrolyte replacement during exercise is a necessary procedure that is also highly individual. This is because everyone's body is different, their sport is different, training duration and intensities are different, and weather conditions are different. With that in mind, it's no wonder there are so many schools of though when it comes to electrolyte replacement. And even if the athlete has never cramped, it is still extremely important to provide the minerals necessary for proper cellular metabolism, cardiac function, and muscle contractions.

All too often the endurance athlete finds out too late that these electrolytes have been depleted through bodily fluids and perspiration, the signs of which are muscle weakness, nausea, and cramping. We believe that while sports drinks may contain one or more electrolytes, it is important to replace specific ones primarily used during exercise in a form (chewable tablets) that allows alteration of dosages based on body weight, BMI, length and intensity of training, and weather. In addition, electrolyte loss can vary several hundred percent, depending on the extent of heat stress and the degree of acclimatization, while caloric and fluid needs do not vary by more than 10-20%.

We don't believe that adopting the "one size fits all" or "everything and the kitchen sink" approaches can adequately fulfill proper electrolyte replacement. Our philosophy is that because every person's electrolyte needs are different, it's important to provide a product that allows the athlete to tailor the dose according to their needs, needs that can only be found through experimentation in training. Products that contain 100 different ingredients, while offering a full variety of nutrients, may not provide adequate amounts of key nutrients. Other products, those containing only one or two electrolytes, may not provide the proper balance a full spectrum, electrolyte replacement product should provide.

In addition, there's always been a lot of talk about supplementing salt to one's intake during exercise or races, especially during long, hot efforts. The truth is that the human body needs very minute amounts of sodium to function normally. We need only 250 mg of sodium each day, athletes maybe 500 mg., which is easily supplied by natural, unprocessed foods. However, the average American consumes approximately 6000 to 7000 mg per day. The average athlete stores at least 8,000 mg of dietary sodium in tissues.