ENDURANCE SPORTS
runners, cyclists, swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts
Why endurance athletes need electrolytes
When we sweat, we lose electrolytes. If we do not take steps to replace these electrolytes during exercise, our performance will eventually decline.
How SaltStick can help support your endurance performance
SaltStick products are designed to help to reduce muscle cramping and heat stress, boost stamina, and maintain electrolyte levels by replacing five electrolytes lost through sweat: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride.
The average person’s sweat contains about 1,000 mg sodium/liter, but a typical sports drink contains 440 mg sodium/liter. If, during the course of activity, you consume nothing but sports drinks (or worse, water), you could become hyponatremic at some point. Hyponatremia is a medical condition marked by low blood sodium levels, which can lead to nausea, fatigue, cramping, vomiting, weakness, sleepiness, and in rare severe cases, loss of consciousness. Many sports drinks also do not include other key electrolytes, which could lead to further cramping and muscle issues.
SaltStick helps athletes maintain peak performance by replacing a full spectrum of electrolytes lost through sweat, in a form and quantity the body can absorb. An independent 2015 study demonstrated that triathletes who relied on SaltStick performed significantly better in a medium-distance triathlon than those who did not.
How to implement SaltStick into your endurance training
Each person’s nutritional needs are unique, and it’s best to develop a plan that offers the right balance for you. As a general guideline, athletes may benefit from taking:
- 1x SaltStick capsule, OR
- 2-4x SaltStick Fastchews, OR
every 30-60 minutes during endurance activities OR:
- 1x serving of SaltStick DrinkMix combined with 16-20 oz. (~475-600 mL) of water
every 60-90 minutes during endurance activities.
In hot conditions, extreme humidity, or for larger athletes, a greater quantity may be needed to maintain optimal electrolyte levels.
What other athletes say about SaltStick products
“I love that the capsule is vegetarian friendly and not derived from gelatin. Saltstick is very easy on the stomach.” — Michelle Barton, trail running champion, plant-based warrior and SaltStick athlete
“Training for the Olympics 4 times a day and 6 times a week is not an easy task. Having something like SaltStick always help replenish me in all the ways it works is a blessing.” — La-Starr Sneed, elite cyclist and SaltStick athlete
“SaltStick is my First Aid Kit! Climbing 5 or 6 thousand feet to a summit of a mountain can sometimes be the easy part. Impossible would be getting down battling cramps and dehydration.” — Joel Olivares, ultrarunner and SaltStick athlete
Learn more about how SaltStick can help you improve your performance by reading the following blog posts: