HuMOLYTE Recognized with Sacramento Business Journal Innovation Award
The Sacramento Business Journal has honored HuMOLYTE, an electrolyte mix developed by IGH Naturals, with its Innovation Award. For patients and caregivers navigating chemotherapy, this recognition brings attention to an emerging option aimed at supporting hydration and gut health during treatment.
This blog summarizes what HuMOLYTE is, why it was recognized, and what patients and caregivers may want to consider and discuss with their medical team.
What Is HuMOLYTE?
HuMOLYTE is an electrolyte mix with added prebiotic ingredients. It was developed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait, a Rocklin-based nephrologist (kidney specialist), internal medicine physician, and CEO/founder of IGH Naturals. His goal was to create a way to support hydration in vulnerable patients—especially those undergoing chemotherapy—without relying solely on intravenous (IV) fluids.
According to IGH Naturals, HuMOLYTE is designed for people with a “vulnerable gut” who need gentle hydration support. The formulation aims to:
Replace electrolytes lost through vomiting or diarrhea
Support gut health through prebiotic ingredients
Provide an option that may be easier to tolerate than some standard drinks
At this time, HuMOLYTE and related products are considered foods/medical foods, not prescription drugs. IGH Naturals is working toward FDA approvals, a process that can take several years.
Why Did HuMOLYTE Receive an Innovation Award?
The Sacramento Business Journal Innovation Award recognizes local companies developing new solutions with potential to make a meaningful impact. HuMOLYTE was highlighted because it targets a common and serious problem: dehydration related to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy can cause:
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Mouth sores that make drinking painful
All of these can lead to fluid loss and reduced intake, increasing the risk of dehydration. Dehydration then may require IV fluids, emergency visits, or hospital stays.
According to the company, early use of HuMOLYTE has:
Helped lessen some treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores
Reduced the need for IV fluids in at least one clinical study
Provided a hydration option some patients find more tolerable during chemotherapy
Because of these potential benefits, HuMOLYTE has attracted attention from both investors and the regional innovation community, winning not only this Innovation Award but also the top prize in the Pitch Elk Grove contest.
It is important to note that these findings and claims come primarily from company-reported data and early studies. Larger, independent trials would be needed to confirm how well HuMOLYTE works across broader patient groups.
What Evidence Exists So Far?
From the information shared publicly:
HuMOLYTE has been used informally by chemotherapy patients, and the company reports that some patients experienced fewer or less severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores.
IGH Naturals holds two patents related to HuMOLYTE’s use in preventing dehydration associated with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
In at least one clinical study referenced by the company, HuMOLYTE use was associated with a reduced need for IV hydration.
However:
Full study details (such as sample size, study design, and peer-reviewed publications) have not been widely shared in public medical journals.
FDA evaluation and approval are still in progress. Until that process is complete, HuMOLYTE cannot be marketed as a treatment or cure for disease.
For patients and caregivers, this means HuMOLYTE may be an option to discuss with the care team rather than a proven standard of care.
How Might HuMOLYTE Fit into Chemotherapy Care?
If your oncology team feels it is appropriate, HuMOLYTE could potentially be used as:
A hydration support option for days when eating and drinking are difficult
A way to supplement oral fluid intake and electrolytes between clinic visits
Part of a broader plan that includes anti-nausea medications, mouth care, and nutritional support
It is not intended to replace:
Chemotherapy or any cancer-directed treatment
Prescribed medications for nausea or diarrhea
IV fluids when your care team feels they are necessary
Because every cancer treatment plan and medical history is different, it is essential to ask your oncologist or oncology nurse before starting any new supplement, including HuMOLYTE.
Questions to Ask Your Care Team
If you are considering HuMOLYTE for yourself or a loved one, you might ask:
Is an electrolyte or hydration supplement appropriate for my situation?
Are there any ingredients in HuMOLYTE that could interact with my medications or medical conditions?
What signs of dehydration should I watch for at home?
If I use HuMOLYTE, how should I monitor my symptoms, and when should I call the clinic?
Are there other hydration strategies you recommend alongside or instead of a product like this?
Bringing the article or product information to your appointment can help guide the conversation.
What This Recognition Means for Patients and Caregivers
The Innovation Award does not guarantee that a product will work for everyone, but it does signal that local experts see promise in HuMOLYTE’s approach to a serious problem. For the estimated 1 million people each year who undergo chemotherapy, tools that may reduce dehydration and improve tolerance of treatment are valuable to explore.
For caregivers, anything that may reduce last-minute trips for IV fluids or help a loved one drink a bit more comfortably is worth discussing with the care team. For patients, it may offer another option to consider as part of a broader plan to stay as hydrated and stable as possible during treatment.
As more data emerge and regulatory review progresses, we will better understand where HuMOLYTE fits in supportive cancer care. For now, its Innovation Award brings attention to the ongoing need for safer, more tolerable hydration strategies for people facing chemotherapy.
