How much electrolytes is too much?

You can have too many electrolytes, as studies show that excess amounts can have many negative effects on your health. Here are some health implications of having too many electrolytes.

• Hypernatremia (too much sodium): Hypernatremia can be caused by insufficient fluid intake or excessive water loss. Kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia can also increase the risk of hypernatremia [1]. 

• Hyperkalemia (too much potassium): Hyperkalemia can negatively affect kidney function and cause cardiac arrhythmia, nausea, and irregular heartbeat [2,3]. 

• Hypercalcemia (too much calcium): Hypercalcemia can lead to fatigue, excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, seizures, bone pain, and muscle weakness [4]. 

• Excess magnesium: This can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping [5]. Though rare, more serious side effects include an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and possibly death [6].

To help balance electrolytes, be sure to drink enough water throughout the day.