I have a book called "The Ultimate Fit or Fat" by Covert Bailey, and he
addresses this directly.  He says that you get all the electrolytes you need
from a normal diet.  You don't need to specifically add them with a sports
drink or food with added salt.

This makes sense from a paleolithic perspective.  Our ancestors got far more
exercise than we do, but they ate far less salt (most believe they didn't add
salt to their food).


In a message dated 2/2/2002 4:26:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:


> Rachael,
> What do you think about salt intake for vigorous exercisers? If someone
> sweats profusely in heavy exercise,do you think there is adequate salt
> occuring naturally in foods to compensate for the loss?
> I exercise a lot and sweat a lot especially in the summer(very hot where I
> live). I tend to crave salt after sweating so much.
>
> What do you advise? Is added salt not what I need...maybe more potassium?
>
> Mary C.
>