Electrolyte drinks are important for those who want to make up for the lost electrolytes from their body due to heavy exercising or playing a sport. You can also have the drink first thing in the morning to keep yourself energized and hydrated throughout the day. Choosing the best drink is a matter of understanding as to why it could be helpful to you and accordingly research your option, keeping a close look at things like added sugar and nutrient content. It could be a bit confusing to make sense of everything that is written on the label. But if you can identify what is added to the drink and assess whether the same is useful to you or not would help you to choose the ideal drink.
Remember the term ‘best’ is subjective. Thus, what is best for you may not be as good for others and vice-versa. However, things like chemical additives and ingredients are universal. An electrolyte drink with limited or no sugar can be considered the best for most people. If you are not able to find something useful in the store, you can choose to make the drink at home.
Contents of the drink
Before choosing an electrolyte drink, it is required to understand what is it and who needs it and the difference between the several options available today. There are competing products and different brands in any market. Knowing the reason for you to drink this is the best way to narrow down to a product. For instance, some of these drinks are primarily sugar based with no or minimal nutrients. There are others as well that are full of beneficial nutrients and minerals. Some others contain proteins and amino acids as well.
Different varieties with specific ingredients are geared toward specific audiences. It is the athletes who consume electrolyte drinks mostly. But there are people who spend most of their time working outdoors and do a lot of physical work. They can also use electrolyte drinks to replenish salts they lost through sweat.
Electrolytes are basically minerals that keep an electric charge, moving nutrients to cells and removing wastes from the cells. Electrolyte drinks replenish lost minerals and electrolytes in the body that are lost due to vigorous physical activity.
Consider the ratio of electrolyte
People lose chloride, potassium, and sodium when they undertake strenuous exercise routine. Calcium and magnesium are also lost but not in huge amounts. Take a closer look at the ingredients of the electrolyte drinks that you are considering to buy. This will point out the differences between all the available brands. You must choose the brand that replenishes all the lost essential nutrients as there are some that only replenish a few of the minerals and salts and that too in limited amounts.
Look for sugar content
Most electrolyte drinks contain carbohydrate which is used to fuel the body. However, there are some which contain a high amount of sugar, a simple carbohydrate. Studies have shown that nobody needs more than 6% of these items in their drinks. Carbohydrates are most of the times added calories that are unnecessary and manufacturers add them for taste. More than 6% to 8% carbohydrate is too much per serving is somebody is not doing athletic training for quite a long period or in hot and dry conditions.
Difference between proteins and amino acids
There are some brands who boast of protein in their drinks which seem attractive. However, the truth is that protein is not an essential ingredient for a sports or energy drink. Though drinks containing protein may lower damage to the muscles and promote endurance, it is better to drink something with amino acids instead. They are vital parts of proteins but more elemental.
Keep these important factors in mind when you shop for electrolyte drinks if you want to enjoy its benefits. As a rule of the thumb, go for the products that do not have added sugar and caffeine.
Seeking original Medicare insurance to cover healthcare requirements is imperative for each individual. But at the same time, one also has the option of choosing Medicare Advantage, which is a private insurance alternative. Both types have their own benefits that may or may not work for you. So before picking one over the other, here are a few factors to determine whether the federal-run or private insurance program is more beneficial.
Out-of-network coverage
If you pick original Medicare, you need to follow the premium guidelines set by the federal government. These include deductibles and coinsurance amounts for Part A (hospitalizations) and Part B (physician and outpatient services). Furthermore, the government sets maximum deductible rates for Part D prescription programs (premiums and copays may differ based on the plan). You should also bear in mind that several beneficiaries of original Medicare usually purchase a supplemental (or Medigap) policy to ease their out-of-pocket costs, which have no annual cap.
If you pick a Medicare Advantage plan, you will still need to pay the Part B premium set by the federal government. You may also need to pay an additional premium for the Medicare Advantage plan. However, most of these plans have fixed copay amounts from the expenses associated with physician visits, which could result in lower out-of-pocket costs in comparison to original Medicare.
Costs
When you subscribe to original Medicare for Part B-covered services, you usually have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the deductible, known as the coinsurance. You may also have to pay a monthly premium for Part B and a standalone amount for a Medicare prescription plan (Part D). Furthermore, there is no yearly cap on what you pay out-of-pocket. However, you may incur additional costs for supplemental coverage like Medigap.
As for Medicare Advantage, the out-of-pocket cost may vary. Some plans may require you to pay more for certain healthcare expenses, while others may require less. Therefore, you must check each insurance offer before signing up for it. Under Medicare Advantage, members need to pay the plan’s premium while paying the monthly Part B premium. A few plans may have a $0 premium charge and could help cover part or all of your Part B premiums. Most MA plans include Medicare prescription coverage (Part D). Moreover, the plans come with a yearly cap on how much you pay out of pocket for services covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. Once the plan’s limit is reached, you do not have to pay for services Part A, while Part B will cover amounts accrued through the rest of the year.
Coverage
Original Medicare covers most healthcare-oriented services and supplies in doctors, hospitals, offices, and other healthcare facilities. One should note that this federal program may not cover benefits, including dental care, eye exams, and routine exams. You also have the option of joining a Medicare prescription plan to receive benefits under Part D. One should also note that most healthcare situations do not require advance approval of service or supply.
Those who pick a Medicare Advantage plan typically receive all healthcare-related services that original Medicare covers. The insurance may also offer additional benefits not covered by Medicare, such as vision, dental, and hearing services. MA plans may also include coverage for Medicare Part D. Once an individual signs up for Medicare Advantage, they may not be able to join a separate Medicare prescription plan. And unlike original Medicare, they may need to get a service or supply approved ahead of time so that the respective plan can cover it.
Coverage in the country
If you sign up for original Medicare, you will get access to health care anywhere in the country. This is applicable as long as the provider accepts the federal program. So this could work for those who travel between states a lot.
Medicare Advantage plans are based around networks of providers, usually self-contained in a specific geographic area. Therefore, healthcare might not be covered if you visit out-of-network providers. You may also have to pay more for care.
Foreign travel
Both original Medicare and Medicare Advantage generally do not cover healthcare requirements outside the country. Those who pick the first choice may be able to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to cover emergency care outside the country. One could also look at supplemental benefits that take care of urgent and emergency services under Medicare Advantage while traveling outside the country.
Eligibility and signing up
To qualify for original Medicare (Part A and Part B), one has to be age 65 or older. The plan is also accessible to certain younger people with disabilities and other individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease. Most qualifying people get Part A for free, but some may have to pay a premium for the coverage. People who already receive Social Security or RRB benefits at least four months before being eligible for Medicare and residing in the country are automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A and Part B. They also have the choice to keep or refuse Part B coverage following enrollment.
People who have original Medicare are eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan. Furthermore, those under 65 due to disabilities and who have Medicare also qualify for the program. You may sign up for a Medicare Advantage policy if you reside in the chosen plan’s service area. If you enroll in a MA plan, you have to pay its monthly premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premium.
Teeth staining and erosion are common occurrences, and the food one eats is a major determining factor. Foods and beverages like ice, tea, coffee, sugar, and starches can cause enamel erosion and gum problems. Although whitening treatments and other dental procedures can help improve one’s smile, consuming certain foods promotes good oral health. Here are 16 foods to include in one’s daily nutrition plan for healthy white teeth and gums: