How the Body Balances Ions - and Why It Matters Even More for EDS Patients 

Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS) affects far more than joints and connective tissue. One of the most overlooked factors shaping daily symptoms is ion balance — the delicate electrical and chemical coordination that keeps nerves, muscles, and blood vessels functioning. For people with EDS, maintaining the right electrolyte ratios is essential for stabilising blood pressure, reducing pain, supporting autonomic function, and preventing dysautonomia crashes.

This guide explains how the body normally regulates ions, why ion balance becomes fragile in EDS, and the most important electrolytes and ratios to track. A reference table is included for quick viewing.

What Is Ion Balance and Why Is It Important?

The body uses ions — electrically charged minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and bicarbonate — to maintain:

• nerve signalling

• muscle contraction and relaxation

• blood pressure and vascular tone

• hydration and pH balance

• mast-cell stability
  
  

Under normal conditions, the kidneys, hormones, and autonomic nervous system regulate these electrolytes with extraordinary precision. Think of it as a power grid that constantly adjusts voltage to keep everything running smoothly.

For people with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, where connective tissue is unstable, even small shifts in electrolytes can set off large symptoms: dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, blood pooling, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal distress.

Ion Balance Is More Fragile in EDS

Because connective tissue forms the scaffolding of blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, gut motility, and cellular fluid exchange, EDS patients have:

• more fluid shifts

• poorer vascular recoil

• heightened autonomic instability

• unstable blood pressure

• worsened dysautonomia or POTS

• greater muscle tension and fatigue

• increased mast-cell reactivity

• reduced ability to compensate for electrolyte changes
  
  

Even mild imbalances can feel like a storm. Maintaining balanced electrolytes becomes a cornerstone of symptom management.

The Most Important Electrolyte Ratios in EDS

Two ratios have the strongest impact on vascular stability, autonomic function, and muscle performance:

1. Sodium–Potassium Ratio

This ratio stabilises blood pressure, heart rhythm and nerve signalling. 

For EDS patients, a disrupted sodium–potassium ratio can trigger POTS flare-ups, dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, and blood pooling.
Ensuring adequate sodium intake is especially important for those with POTS or chronic orthostatic intolerance.

2. Calcium–Magnesium Ratio

Calcium and magnesium work like opposing gears:

• Calcium contracts muscles and tightens vessels

• Magnesium relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system

An imbalanced ratio contributes to muscle pain, spasms, nerve hypersensitivity, poor sleep, increased mast-cell reactivity

For EDS patients, magnesium deficiency is common due to poor absorption and chronic stress load on the body.