Thirsty? You may be dehydrated!
Did you know that by the time you actually feel thirsty you have already lost at least 2 percent of the water in your body? Global warming is causing temperatures to reach record-breaking highs as each year passes. Therefore, it is vital that we become educated on how to keep ourselves well-hydrated not only during the summer, but throughout the entire year. Several groups most at risk for dehydration include children, athletes, exercisers, outdoor workers and elderly people. Believe it or not, water is the single most important nutrient to all living things. Which is why we can’t even survive for more than a few days without it!
Water makes up more than half of the weight of our body and is involved in many important functions. Water carries nutrients and wastes to and from our cells and organs, keeps food moving through our digestive system, is involved in regulating our body temperature, lubricates the body’s joints, and much more! Therefore it is extremely important to give our body the water it needs to carry out all its different functions. On a regular day, your body loses up to two liters of water! Living in a tropical climate, it is extremely important to recognize the common signs of dehydration. Reach for water if you feel any of the following symptoms: Thirst, irritability, flushed, dry or itchy skin, lack of concentration, indigestion, constipation, headaches, weakness, dizziness, cramps and nausea.
Here are a couple helpful hints to help keep you well hydrated:
- Drink at least eight 8-ounce servings of water each day. The more active you are, the more water you need to replace lost fluids.
- Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water (by that time, your body is already screaming signs of dehydration).
- Carry a bottle of water with you at all times. For a cool drink, fill one-third of bottle with water of 100% juice and freeze, then fill up the remainder with water. Cold water is also absorbed more quickly from the stomach.
- Don’t substitute beverages with alcohol or caffeine. These act as diuretics and can actually take water out of your system.
- You can also meet your fluid needs from fruits, vegetables and herbal teas. Avoid most juices- they are way too high in sugar and will leave you feeling even thirstier in the long run!
- If you are active, consider high quality sports drinks. These can replete important electrolytes such as potassium and sodium that are lost in sweat.
- Encourage children to drink water and juice instead of cola drinks.
- Don’t let one hour pass without drinking fluids.
- Having a hard time chugging down just plain old water? Try these simple tips: Jazz up your aqua with a strawberry, lemon, lime, or frozen blueberries. Put a tea bag in a pitcher of ice water and let it flavor your water (try herbal fruity teas or peppermint). Try sparkling water with a tad bit of cranberry juice and a splash of lime!
Bottom’s up!
Supplement Recommendation: Endura is a rehydration formula mix with a unique blend of electrolyte minerals and helps to delay the onset of fatigue during strenuous activity.
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For purchase information regarding the supplements mentioned, visit the Metagenics online store at http://livingfresh.meta-ehealth.com and follow the directions to register as a new user.
For assistance with a detox program as mentioned above, visit www.livingfresh.org and contact Nicole Andrews, RD, LD/N.
For more inforamtion go to www.metagenics.com
It can be purchased through the Metagenics online store at http://livingfresh.meta-ehealth.com. Simply follow the directions to register as a new user.
Tags: dehydration, electrolytes, fatigue, irritability, Water
