Are Electrolytes Good for Kidneys?

Are Electrolytes Good for Kidneys?

Electrolytes are frequently associated with hydration, but did you know there is another side to these vital minerals that often goes unnoticed? Beyond their role in rehydration, electrolytes serve a critical function that’s integral to our overall health: supporting our kidneys. 

Essential Takeaways
  • Electrolytes not only help with hydration, but they're also critical for kidney health. Maintaining a balanced level of these minerals is essential for proper kidney function and overall health.
  • Want to take action towards better kidney health right now? Check out our hydration drops, packed with essential electrolytes to help keep your kidneys in their best shape.

Let's explore the world of electrolytes and reveal their untold story in maintaining our kidney health. Stay tuned—you might just discover something that could transform your health!

Understanding Electrolytes and Kidney Function

Let's start with the basics. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium  are minerals that carry an electric charge. They are essential for just about everything we do, including eating, working, and sleeping.

Beyond the benefits of hydration and muscle function, electrolytes play a crucial role in a multitude of our body’s functions, including fluid balance, muscle function, and pH regulation (1).

The Role of the Kidneys in Electrolyte Balance

The kidneys are our body's natural filtration system. They purify our blood, excrete waste, and carefully balance water and electrolytes. Electrolytes and kidneys are interconnected, working together to keep our bodies running smoothly (2).

Can Electrolytes Cause or Prevent Kidney Stones?

This is a question we hear a lot. Can electrolytes cause kidney stones? It depends on what’s in the drink.

Some electrolyte beverages contain high sodium or added sugar, which can increase the risk of kidney stones over time (3). Others lack important minerals like magnesium or citrate, which help prevent calcium from binding with oxalate - one of the most common causes of stones.

Buoy Hydration Drops include magnesium, a trace mineral linked to reduced kidney stone formation. That’s one reason we built our formula with a broad trace mineral profile - to support your kidneys and reduce the risk of stone development.

“Magnesium supplementation can reduce the recurrence of kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate stones,” according to a 2020 review in Urology Annals.

The Importance of Electrolyte Balance for Kidney Health

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Keeping the right balance of electrolytes in our bodies is an important aspect of wellness. If we have too little or too much of a single electrolyte, it can cause our bodies to function poorly (1). For our kidneys, maintaining this balance is even more critical (2).

When your electrolyte levels aren't in balance, it can lead to health complications like dehydration, fluid overload, high blood pressure, or inefficient waste removal (1).

In the following sections, we'll dive deeper into how specific electrolytes contribute to your kidney health.

Is Liquid IV Safe for Kidneys?

Let’s address one of the more common questions: Is Liquid IV bad for your kidneys? Or on the flip side, is Liquid IV good for your kidneys

Liquid IV’s Hydration Multiplier contains a fairly high amount of sodium - about 500 mg per serving. That might be helpful if you’ve just finished a sweaty workout, but it’s not ideal for daily hydration if you’re concerned about kidney strain.

If you have high blood pressure or reduced kidney function, excess sodium can exacerbate the problem.

By contrast, Buoy uses a microdose approach with no added sugar and a gentler sodium concentration. We also include potassium, magnesium, and trace minerals that support a more balanced electrolyte profile.

This makes our formula easier on the kidneys and a better daily hydration companion.

Exploring Electrolytes and Their Impact on Kidney Health

Each electrolyte has a different effect on the body. Let's go more into detail on the roles of specific electrolytes:

Sodium

Sodium is crucial when it comes to managing water in our bodies. It's responsible for controlling blood volume, which directly affects your blood pressure and, therefore, your kidney function. It's also key in the filtration and reabsorption processes that your kidneys carry out (2).

Potassium

Potassium isn't just an essential electrolyte; it's a key player in kidney health, too. It helps the kidneys balance the body’s pH level and plays a critical role in nerve function and muscle contractions. Like sodium, potassium is crucial for filtration and reabsorption in the kidneys (1).

Calcium and Magnesium

These two work as a team when it comes to kidney health. Calcium isn't just important for strong bones and a healthy heart—it's also necessary for the kidneys to maintain the body's pH balance. Meanwhile, magnesium aids in preventing kidney stones, contributing to overall kidney health (3).

Electrolytes have a substantial impact on kidney health and function. Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of maintaining a good electrolyte balance!

Is Smartwater or Pedialyte Better for Kidney Health?

Both Smartwater and Pedialyte have their place, but they’re not designed with kidney health in mind.

Smartwater adds electrolytes like calcium chloride and potassium bicarbonate for taste, but doesn’t include magnesium or trace minerals.

Pedialyte was designed for children with dehydration and contains a modest balance of sodium, potassium, and sugar. It’s generally safe in small amounts, but again, not ideal for daily use by adults looking to support kidney health.

Neither of these provide the mineral diversity your kidneys crave - something we made central to Buoy’s formulation.

Buoy’s Electrolyte-Based Drops for Kidney Health

Unboxing Buoy drops.

Balancing electrolytes doesn’t have to mean chugging sugary drinks or overloading on sodium. Our drops are zero sugar, vegan, keto-friendly, and packed with 87 trace minerals.

Just a squeeze into your water bottle gives you:

  • Electrolytes for fluid balance
  • Magnesium to help prevent stones
  • Trace minerals for kidney support

Whether you're hydrating for health maintenance or recovery, Buoy helps make it easier to support your kidneys every day.

Explore Buoy Hydration Drops

Benefits of Electrolyte Balance for Renal Health

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Maintaining a healthy electrolyte balance supports your kidney function. The benefits include improved fluid regulation, effective blood pressure control, and a lower risk of kidney stones. Plus, when electrolytes are balanced, your kidneys work efficiently at filtering your blood and removing waste (2).

Supporting Kidney Health with Proper Hydration

Just like plants need water to survive, your kidneys need adequate hydration to function well. Drinking enough water, especially when enriched with the right balance of electrolytes, can improve your kidney function significantly. The proper balance of electrolytes supports effective fluid regulation and renal function, keeping your kidneys in top shape (4).

Are Electrolytes Good for Kidneys?

So, are electrolytes good for kidneys? Absolutely! These small but powerful minerals are critical for kidney health. Take care of your kidneys and toast the amazing work that they do with a glass of water enhanced with Buoy's Hydrating Wellness Drops.

Your Journey to Better Kidney Health

Are you ready to start your journey toward better kidney health? Introduce Buoy’s electrolyte and mineral drops into your daily routine, and start your path to improved wellness. Your kidneys will thank you!

Full product line of Buoy drops.

 

 

Learn More About Hydration Drops

References: 

  1. Healthline. (2019). Electrolytes: Functions, Imbalance, and Sources. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/electrolytes

  2. Koeppen, B. M. (2009). The Kidney and Acid-Base Regulation. Advances in Physiology Education, 33(4), 275–281. Retrieved from https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00054.2009

  3. Shirreffs, S.M., et al. (2004). Fluid and Electrolyte Needs for Preparation and Recovery from Training and Competition. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(1), pp. 57–63. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0264041031000140572

  4. Popkin, B. M., D'Anci, K. E., & Rosenberg, I. H. (2010). Water, Hydration, and Health. Nutrition Reviews, 68(8), 439–458. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/
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