Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This content should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition or health issue. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

You need more than electrolytes alone. To look, feel, and perform your best, you also need trace minerals. These micronutrients support many of your body’s essential processes, from metabolism to hormone production and more. Trace minerals are just as important as electrolytes if you want to keep your body running strong.

Let’s look at electrolytes vs. trace minerals, why both matter, and how you can get more trace minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants, all with a simple addition to your morning routine.

This table covers the five most important electrolytes and what each one does. 

Electrolytes often work in pairs—for example, potassium and calcium act opposite one another in muscle and heart cells, constantly trading places to maintain a state of balance. This is why it’s so important to replenish the full range of electrolytes. If you replenish a single electrolyte in large amounts, without increasing another, you may feel better in the short term—but over time, the imbalance can make problems worse, not better. 

Electrolytes Vs. Trace Minerals

Electrolytes are the most abundant minerals in the human body. As a result, they get the most attention when it comes to health. You’ve probably heard about the importance of electrolytes after a workout, electrolytes for hydration, and so on. 

But there are more than 70 other, non-electrolyte minerals your body needs to function well. These are called trace minerals. While you only use them in small amounts, they play an absolutely crucial part in a wide variety of bodily functions. 

As a rule of thumb, comparing electrolytes vs. trace minerals: 

Electrolytes have broad roles in your body. For example, sodium, chloride, and potassium are widespread in the liquid that surrounds your cells, from your brain to your heart to your muscles. 

Trace minerals have specific roles in your body. You don’t need large amounts of trace minerals, because each one only supports a few functions—but if you’re deficient, the cost to your wellbeing can be devastating. For that reason, trace minerals are just as important as electrolytes. 

Here are a few examples of trace minerals and the functions they serve: 

Your body uses about 70 different trace minerals, electrolytes not included. You don’t need large amounts of trace minerals—under 100 milligrams of each mineral per day—but if you want to look and feel good on a daily basis, it’s important that you get the complete spectrum.

Trace Minerals and Electrolytes Work Best Together

It’s best to replenish trace minerals and electrolytes together. 

Most minerals function synergistically, acting in pairs, trios, or larger groups to regulate an important bodily function. In the human body, minerals almost never work alone. 

If you want to feel good long-term, overall mineral balance matters most. It’s not just about replenishing magnesium—you also want to replenish boron, zinc, calcium, and all the other minerals that work alongside magnesium. 

That’s why taking electrolyte supplements on their own is often a bad idea. For example, taking lots of pure magnesium for stress or sleep may improve how you feel short-term. In the long term, however, that kind of targeted supplementation can end up depleting the multiple minerals that work alongside magnesium. You risk developing new mineral deficiencies, as well as a new set of problems that come with them. 

The same is true for post-workout electrolyte powders and sports drinks. They rapidly increase your sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which sounds good on the surface. But in order for your body to use those electrolytes, it has to bring in trace minerals—and if you aren’t replenishing trace minerals too, you can end up with deeper mineral deficiencies elsewhere, despite having plenty of electrolytes. 

Here are some examples of synergy between electrolytes and trace minerals, and why it’s important to replenish both at the same time:

• Boron + magnesium. Boron is an essential cofactor for magnesium absorption. [*] If boron is low, you’ll struggle to absorb magnesium. By the same token, too much magnesium can deplete your boron stores. 
  
  
• Zinc + magnesium. Zinc also regulates magnesium absorption. Research shows taking concentrated zinc supplements on their own can deplete magnesium stores. [*]
  
  
• Copper + calcium + potassium + selenium + magnesium. Copper is essential for immunity and brain function, but it has to stay within a very narrow range in your body. With too much or too little copper, immune function declines. [*] Studies show that calcium and potassium increase copper retention, while selenium and magnesium decrease it. [*] These four minerals work as a group to tightly regulate copper, keeping it in the optimal range. 

When it comes to overall wellbeing, mineral balance matters most. It can be tempting to rapidly increase specific minerals with a targeted supplement, or to take a concentrated electrolyte powder to stay hydrated—but doing so can cause more harm than good down the line. 

You’re better off with gentle, complete mineral replenishment that steadily refills your mineral stores, restoring bodywide mineral balance and then maintaining it. That’s the key to feeling good long-term.

Signs You’re Deficient in Electrolytes or Trace Minerals

According to a 2022 review using data from the CDC, more than 90% of American adults are deficient in at least one mineral. [*]

Because minerals play such broad and important roles in your wellbeing, deficiencies come with a wide range of effects. The signs of a mineral deficiency vary, depending on whether you’re short on specific trace minerals, electrolytes, or both. 

The comparison table below shows common signs of deficiencies in electrolytes vs. trace minerals. 

You’ll notice that electrolyte deficiencies come with more immediate effects, while trace mineral deficiencies often cause longer-term issues. That’s because most of your body relies on electrolytes for basic function, so you feel their absence faster. Trace mineral deficiencies usually only disrupt one or two specific processes. As a result, you don’t always feel their effects acutely. 

That said, trace mineral deficiencies are no less harmful than electrolyte deficiencies. In some ways, they can be worse. Because they’re less immediately obvious, trace mineral deficiencies are often harder to notice—and unless you’re replenishing the full spectrum of minerals on a regular basis, they can take longer to correct. 

If you have any of the signs listed in the comparison table above, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an electrolyte or trace mineral deficiency. The good news is it’s easy to replenish your mineral stores. It just takes a bit of time.

BEAM Minerals: Complete Mineral Support

At BEAM Minerals, we take a full-body approach to restoring mineral balance. 

Instead of concentrated electrolytes or incomplete supplements, we provide comprehensive mineral support, all from two sources:

• Electrolyze™ replenishes the full range of electrolytes, including all the most important electrolytes for hydration and muscle function. 
  
  
• Micro-BOOST™ delivers every single trace mineral the human body needs, in the right ratio. 

Together, this powerful duo provides all your essential minerals and electrolytes, in a form your body can absorb with ease and use immediately. 

In addition to providing comprehensive support, our minerals are:

Plant-based. All natural electrolytes and trace minerals, derived from ancient, decomposed plant matter found in nutrient-rich rainforest soil. 

• Easy to take. Both Electrolyze™ and Micro-BOOST™ come in a convenient liquid form. They taste like water and come with a shot glass for easy measuring. 
  
  
• Highly bioavailable. Our minerals come from humic and fulvic complexes, nutrient-dense components of deep soil. Humic and fulvic offer superior bioavailability, delivering minerals directly to your cells almost immediately after you take them. 
  
  
• Rich in antioxidants. Humic and fulvic complexes form over millennia, as plant matter breaks down and deposits nutrients into the soil. In addition to electrolytes and trace minerals, humic and fulvic contain powerful plant-derived antioxidants. 
  
  
• Free of additives, preservatives, and flavorings. There’s nothing artificial here—just high-quality, all natural minerals and purified water. 
  

Electrolytes alone aren’t enough for mineral replenishment. With BEAM Minerals, you can make sure you get the complete mineral support your body needs.