Heat Stress and
Electrolyte
Replenishment with
Electrolytes
elete Electrolyte Add-In, a division of Mineral
Resources International, Inc.
1990 West 3300 South
Ogden, UT 84401
United States
Exclusively distributed across the Middle East by
Budge FZ-LLC, PO Box 502969, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 (0)4 446 2972
www.eletewater.ae
Overview

Heat Stress Defined
 Symptoms of Heat Stress
 The Causes of Heat Stress
 Limitations of Sports Drinks/Oral Rehydration Salts
(ORS)
 Preventing Heat-Related Health Disorders with elete
Electrolyte Add-In
 Limitations of Sports Drinks/ORS
 Advantages of elete Electrolytes
 Comparing elete with Other Electrolyte-Replacement
Products
 Further Risk-Reduction Strategies
What is Heat Stress?

The human body attempts to
maintain an internal temperature
of 37° Celsius
 Hot weather, physical labour,
other heat sources can raise the
body’s temperature, which the
body will attempt to reduce by
pumping blood to the skin’s
surface.
 The body will also try to lower its
temperature through sweat, i.e.,
water and minerals excreted
through the skin, which are then
evaporated to aid cooling.
 The adverse effects of heat stress
can range from mild to lifethreatening.
Symptoms of Heat Stress


During physical labor, a body
can lose 1-2 litres of
water/hour.
After 2-3 hours of fluid loss, a
person can experience the
following adverse effects:




Loss of energy/endurance
Physical discomfort
Feeling hot
Thirsty

After 3 hours of exposure:








Muscle cramps & fatigue
Headaches
Physical weakness
Loss of dexterity
Reduced alertness
Nausea
Seizures
After 3-6 hours, heat cramps,
heat exhaustion sets in. Heat
exhaustion leads to heat
stroke (an internal body
temperature of 40° Celsius or
more), which is life-threatening
and must be treated by trained
medical professionals.
Symptoms of Heat Stress


Heat Rash

Red, blister-like lesions

Itching

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Cramps

Excruciating muscle
cramps and spasms

Headaches,dizziness,
weakness, nausea,
vomiting, extreme
sweating, dark-colored
urine, pale, clammy skin
Heat Stroke

Nausea and vomiting, hot,
red skin (sunburn),
irritability, confusion,
seizures, collapse,
unresponsive, high body
temperature
Causes of Heat Stress

Environmental Factors (temperature,
direct sun, heat humidity)

The more direct sun, the greater the
risk

Low or no wind

Hot equipment & reflected heat

Workload


Clothing


How much effort is being exerted?
Heavy, multiple layers, non“breatheable,” dark clothing k
Personal Risk Factors



Drug and alcohol use
Existing medical conditions
(hypertension, heart conditions,
diabetes)
Medications (antihistamines, blood
pressure, heart,laxatives, mental
health, seizure, thyroid)
The Electrolytes in Sweat

In a six-hour period
(under desert conditions),
sweat loss (and
corresponding electrolyte
losses) can measure:




Sweat Loss: 3.5 litres
Potassium Loss: 23-70mEq
Na Loss: 72-244 mEq
During strenuous
exertion, magnesium
sweat losses can
approximate between 1025% of the daily loss.
The Limitations of Sports Drinks

Sodium is not the only electrolyte lost in sweat.




Most electrolyte-replacement drinks omit magnesium (Mg), an essential mineral that plays
a crucial role in the body
80% of cell ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is complexed with with Mg

Mg involved in ensuring adequate blood flow to muscle and organs, maintains acid-base balance,
normalizes excitation and contraction in nerve and muscle—including cardiac tissue—involved in nerve
conduction, muscle contraction, membrane transport, cell division, even the synthesis of DNA and RNA.

Magnesium acts as a “team captain” of the electrolytes; it keeps sodium outside the cell and potassium
inside the cell

Magnesium is to the muscle what calcium is to the bones

Maintaining optimal magnesium balance is crucial. The body does not “acclimatize” to magnesium
deficiency.

Magnesium deficiency linked with heart disease, sudden cardiac death, insulin resistance

Most people don’t consume adequate amounts of magnesium from foods (Green, leafy vegetables are the
predominant Mg-rich food source)
Most sports drinks are laden with sugar and artificial preservatives. Compared to sweat, they still
contain dilute amounts of sodium and potassium.

It’s a common misconception that sports drinks can prevent hyponatremia, diluted blood-sodium levels

Consumers of sports drinks will consume significant amounts of sugar long before they receive adequate
amounts of fluid and electrolytes

It’s not uncommon for people to complain of nausea, GI distress while using sports drinks


Makers of sports drinks assume sodium (Na) is the only or “main” electrolytes people lose
Na is the most consumed mineral in the diet. Therefore, it should come as no surprise it is excreted more
than any other electrolyte
Na is typically cheap to add to beverages; while other electrolytes (magnesium and potassium) are more
expensive
Limitations of Sports Drinks







Many workers and athletes complain of
gastrointestinal (GI) upset and nausea using
sports drinks. Once this occurs, many will be
reluctant to continue to drink a sports drinks in
order to stay hydrated, prevent dehydration
(vicious circle)
Nausea and GI distress result in decreased
productivity
For workers (especially older) who might have
specific health considerations (hypertension,
diabetes, etc.), sports drinks high in sodium,
sugar pose unique challenges to their health
Overconsumption of energy-dense sports
drinks can lead to substantial weight gain in
workers
In providing sports drinks to its workers, many
workers have to be trained on how to overcome
problems such as strong distaste of the drinks,
mouthfeel (gagging), and GI distress assoc.
with these products (e.g., temperature)
Sports drinks (powders) have to be dissolved
and mixed according to manufacturer’s
guidelines

The problems of too dilute vs. too
concentrated

Messy

Clean up required
Sports drinks are linked with accelerated
enamel erosion, dental caries, etc.
Preventing Heat Stroke





Wear appropriate
clothing
Take regular breaks
Recognize the signs of
heat stress
Drink water frequently.
Add elete electrolytes to
drinking, portable water
to replace essential
electrolytes that
regulate fluid balance
Required fluid intake to maintain hydration during work
TWL
Level 1
(<140 W. m-2)
sitting, standing,
light hand/arm
work
Level 2
(140-180 W. m-2)
sitting, standing,
heavy arm work,
walking with light
arm work
Level 3
(180-220 W. m-2)
walking, moderate
lifting or pushing
Level 4
(>220 W. m-2)
carrying, climbing,
whole body work
= 115
>1.2*
>1.2*
>1.2*
>1.2*
116-150
1.0-1.2
>1.2*
>1.2*
>1.2*
140-180
0.8-1.0
1.0-1.2
>1.2*
>1.2*
180-220
0.5-0.8
0.8-1.2
1.2
>1.2*
>220
0.3-0.5
0.5-0.8
0.8-1.0
1.2
Red indicates extreme thermal stress. Essential maintenance and rescue work only.
Orange indicates workload exceeds TWL. Work-rest cycling must be applied
Yellow indicates high thermal stress. No worker to work alone
Green indicates moderate thermal stress. No accimatised worker to work alone.
Blue indicates low thermal stress. Unrestricted self-paced work.
HAAD Recommendations – Choice of Fluid
Replacement Drinks

Replacement of the fluid lost in sweat requires intake of adequate quantities of water
and salt. Drinking at mealtimes replaces both and is essential. Remember to
encourage workers to:
Add a little extra salt to their meals during hot weather, salt tablets are NOT recommended.
Drink Water with meals
Limit consumption of soft drinks as the sugar content is high
Limit consumption of caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, cola) and ‘energy drinks’ as the caffeine
may reduce fluid retention





If workers are sweating heavily between means, an electrolyte replacement drink is
recommended. Replacing salt (replacing electrolytes) as it is lost helps the body
absorb and retain the water consumed:





Sports drinks are high is sugar and often quite acidic which can damage teeth. They are
not designed for prolonged consumption at work
For prolonged consumption, a fluid with 4% or less sugar is recommended
Appropriate products designed for industrial use are available commercially
The suggested drink schedule is to drink the electrolyte replacement fluid at every second
drink (i.e. One for one with water)
For diabetics or those on sugar restricted diets, medical advice is required on the preferred
fluids for rehydration
For more information visit the HAAD Safe Website
Click Logo
What is elete?





elete Electrolyte Add-In is a pure, liquid,
electrolyte concentrate, which contains 4
essential electrolytes—magnesium, potassium,
sodium, and chloride—to support fluid balance,
muscle function, energy production, heat
tolerance, nerve conduction, stamina, etc.
elete instantly infuses water with essential
electrolytes and, when mixed as directed, adds
minimal flavor. elete makes pure electrolyte
water that tastes like water
elete provides the same amount of potassium,
an essential mineral, as Gatorade® and
Powerade®, but also provides magnesium,
which is not typically found in electrolytereplenishment drinks (sports drinks).
elete is a “must” for individuals, work crews or
anyone needed to maintain adequate hydration,
energy, and proper muscle function under
grueling conditions of heat stress, fluid loss, and
exertion.
For a demonstration of the Solubility of elete
Electrolytes in water, click the logo
elete Electrolyte Add-In
Advantages of elete











Balanced electrolyte profile. Four vs. two
elete contains magnesium, the “team captain” of electrolytes, essential for energy
production, muscle function, electrolyte control
When mixed as directed, elete adds minimal flavor to water
Very easy to mix and use.
Clean up is easy. elete will not stain, leave a residue, or contribute to the growth of
mold in coolers, hydration packs, canteens, etc.
Very safe, Generally Recognize as Safe, a U.S. Food and Drug designation.
In a published, peer-reviewed clinical study, those who drank plain water, drank 74%
more water to achieve the same level of hydration as those who drank water with
elete.
Backed by numerous testimonials from athletes (professional and amateur), coaches,
trainers, teams, workers
Certified free of all WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)-banned substances by
Informed-Choice
Manufactured at a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified company.
Certification provided by NSF International
Tested for potency and purity at in-house quality assurance laboratory and
independent, third-party labs
Advantages of elete for
Industrial Applications









Natural, healthy hydration (no added
sugar, no artificial ingredients)
Reduce number of heat stress
incidents to zero
elete provides a better balance of
electrolytes lost in sweat (replaces
four—not two electrolytes)
The most cost effective solution
available GUARANTEED
Flexible sizes from 1 litre to 400
litres
Easy to mix and use
Because of its flexibility, workers
can hydrate with water
Won’t cause GI distress
Used with great success by military
personnel in medically treating
severe cases of heat stress
Clinically Proven to Improve
Hydration
•
In a peer-reviewed published study (Wild &
Env Med, 19, 172-180 (2008), people who
drank water alone drank 74% more water
than those who drank electrolyte water
made with elete.
•
“In summary, the addition of an electrolyte
mixture [elete] to plain water was associated
with a decrease in overall fluid consumption
of the water + electrolyte group by 220 mL
h-1 or 3.3 L  d-1.” –John S. Cuddy, et al.
•
Commenting on the study, renowned
emergency physician and founding member
of the Wilderness Medical Society, Paul S.
Auerbach said, “This [study] suggests that
supplementing water with electrolytes might
reduce the amount of fluid necessary to
transport and consume during extended
activity. This would minimize excessive
weight, which in and of itself might
contribute to a lessening of fatigue.”
•
Auerbach listed elete among his “Top 4
Items of Medical Equipment,” “…I will never
travel anywhere that I expect to need to stay
hydrated without bringing along elete.”
Compare elete for Yourself
Per 250-mL (*except where noted)
Sodium
(mg)
Magnesium
(mg)
Potassium
(mg)
Energy
(kJ)
Contains
Artificial
Ingredients
elete Electrolytes
32
12 (chloride)
34
0
No
Yes
Carbo Shotz
215
10 (sulfate)
21
12
Yes
No
Aqualyte
70
0
30
153
Yes
No
Gatorade G2
115
0
30
126
Yes
No
Powerade
101
0
26
212
Yes
No
Staminade Endure*
38
50 (oxide)
50
309
Yes
No
Hydralyte*
NA
NA
NA
NA
Yes
No
Pocari Sweat*
49
0.6 (carbonate)
20
26
No
No
3.5g
0
1.5g
NA
No
No
Product
Oral rehydr. salts
(ORS)*
Supports
Customized
Dosing
* All sizes based on 250-ml except as follows: elete 240-ml, Staminade, 350-ml; Hydralyte and ORS on 1 liter; Pocari Sweat, 100ml. For an expanded product comparison, visit: http://new.eletewater.com/why-elete/compare-elete/ Certain forms of minerals
(e.g., oxide, carbonate, etc.) are associated with a lower bioavailability vs. other mineral forms.
Further Risk-Reduction Strategies
(Our Recommendations)




Train workers on heat stress, heat stroke,
and general hydration strategies (both for
themselves and co-workers) including
when and how much to drink and how
they can use elete in their water or
beverages, food, etc.
Use the larger, elete refill bottles to mix
elete and make electrolyte water in all of
the worker hydration stations, water
coolers, hydration packs, water tanks,
etc. available on each job site and to
each worker
Designate point personnel who can
supply workers with electrolyte water and
elete electrolytes at strategic times and
locations to ensure workers are receiving
enough water and electrolytes
Staff aid stations with water and elete.
Encourage workers to lie down, rest, and
drink water with elete.