Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and sulfate. They are what your body needs to communicate at a cellular level. They are needed for many functions in the body including digestive, nervous, cardiac, and muscular systems.

You lose electrolytes when you get dehydrated through things like fevers, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, excessive exercise, and just being outdoors when it is really hot outside. (Other health issues, cancer treatments, and taking certain medications can also deplete your electrolytes.) It is important to keep your electrolyte levels balanced.

The vegetable broth recipe below is an excellent way to naturally rebuild your electrolytes, with whole foods. It is also a good alternate to bone broths, for those who are vegetarian. We use it in our house to help get our energy back after being sick, especially after a high or extended fever. It is also a great staple for athletes who are constantly training. It is a much better option than Pedialyte, Gatorade, and other sports drinks which typically only contain sodium and potassium and are full of sugar and other suspect ingredients, including genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. (Another good whole-food electrolyte builder is a good-quality coconut water, see Pantry.)

Vital (Veggie) Broth
A great way to replenish electrolytes after being sick or having a fever!
3 medium carrots (unpeeled, organic)
3 celery stalks (organic)
2 medium onions (organic)
2 large potatoes (organic)
10 – 12 cups of purified water

Fill medium to large pot with water. Wash all vegetables. Chop carrots and celery into pieces and put in water. Peal and chop onion into chunks and put into water. Cut the outer 1/2 inch of potato into chunks and put into water, throwing out the center portion of each potato. (It is the skin that has the most nutrients.) Bring water with vegetables to a boil, turn down and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Sip broth only until feeling stronger, adding Himalayan salt if you need some additional flavor. You can store the broth in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat portions as needed. When feeling better, the vegetables with the remaining broth can be used for a first meal as a soup.

This article was written by Sharon Harmon, founder of Life Design for Health. She has a passion for helping people find their way back to optimum health. Please contact her if you would like to know more. There is a great deal of health-related information in her blog articles and on her website.