You could assume hydration means simply consuming extra water, however it is best to truly deal with correct electrolyte steadiness. Though optimum each day water consumption can range significantly between individuals, many specialists suggest that complete each day water consumption from all sources ought to be round 8 to 12 glasses of water (1). Nevertheless, fluid consumption is just one aspect of the equation, as a result of correct hydration relies on an optimum ratio of water and electrolytes in your physique.
Having too little water or having an excessive amount of water can result in severe well being situations, particularly throughout bouts of intense train. Analysis has proven that there’s a “J-shaped relationship” between cardiovascular danger and sodium, demonstrating that very low-sodium diets and really high-sodium diets each carry the next danger of coronary heart illness (2).
Regular blood sodium degree ought to be between 135 to 145 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L). In case you drink too little water or eat an excessive amount of salt, your blood sodium degree might rise above 145 mEq/L and you’ll expertise hypernatremia which is characterised by nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, and/or muscle weak point (3). In case you drink an excessive amount of water or eat too little salt, your blood sodium degree might fall beneath 135 mEq/L and you’ll expertise hyponatremia which is characterised by fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, cognitive impairment, seizure, and even dying (4)(5).
The media has proposed that 75% of adults are chronically dehydrated. Nevertheless, this isn’t supported by the medical literature (6). To find out in case you are lower than optimally hydrated, it is best to have one or a number of of the next indicators of dehydration: dry lips, dry tongue, dry mouth, thirst, swollen arms, dizziness, headache, lethargy, elevated blood stress, or darkish shade urine (7). One other sturdy indicator of dehydration can embody not consuming at the very least six cups of water, consuming greater than 2,300 mg of salt per day, extreme sweating, intense diarrhea, or fixed vomiting (7)(8).
In case you really feel such as you drink numerous water however nonetheless really feel dehydrated or thirsty, it’s possible you’ll be consuming an excessive amount of water and never consuming sufficient salt. Many people who drink greater than 12 cups of plain water or eat lower than 900 mg of sodium can expertise comparable signs to dehydration (9). Some individuals drink past their thirst and truly dilute their blood sodium ranges inflicting extra water to maneuver into your physique cells which might trigger swelling or bloating (10).
If you don’t drink sufficient water, it is best to keep away from consuming electrolyte drinks, sport drinks, gatorade, pedialyte, coconut water, salty soups, diuretics, or something with excessively excessive sodium content material. In case you are consuming loads of water, sweat profusely throughout train, or keep away from salt, an electrolyte complement may help you preserve fluid steadiness by correctly distributing water all through the physique.
Electrolytes are important for primary mobile functioning of the human physique (11). They embody sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate (12). In case your electrolyte ranges are off, it may negatively have an effect on {the electrical} cost of your cells which might have an effect on your hydration, physique temperature, pH ranges, glucose ranges, coronary heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and total nervous system.
Sodium is crucial for the right functioning of the human physique by sustaining mobile homeostasis, sustaining extracellular fluid steadiness, regulating blood stress, and total electrolyte steadiness. Potassium is vital for a number of intracellular interactions similar to membrane potential and electrical excitation of each nerve and muscle cells (13). Calcium is important for fortifying bones, contracting muscle groups, transmitting nerve indicators, blood clotting, and releasing hormones (13). Magnesium is concerned with metabolism, muscle contraction and rest, glucose laws, bone improvement, and neurological functioning (13). Chloride regulates cell quantity, clean muscle cell contraction, and synaptic transmission, pH steadiness, muscle exercise and immunity (14). Phosphorus is regulated by the kidneys and has an important position in metabolic pathways, replicating DNA and RNA, and is the vitality supply for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pathways (14)(15).
In case you are within the low electrolyte camp, merely including electrolytes to your routine might be one of the best ways to extend athletic efficiency, cut back electrolyte loss throughout cardiovascular exercise, stop signs of dehydration, and enhance your total wellness. To extend your salts ranges, you’ll be able to simply purchase a lot of industrial electrolyte powders similar to Kaged Hydra-Cost, 6am Run Hydrablast Bcaa, or Ryno Energy Electrolytes Capsules. You can even make your personal oral rehydration remedy, by including electrolytes and glucose to consuming water. Here’s a recipe based mostly on really useful formulation by World Well being Group (16):
World Well being Group Recipe
- 32 oz of Water
- 1/2 tsp desk salt (sodium chloride)
- 1/4 tsp Morton Salt Substitute® (potassium chloride)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 2 tbsp sugar or glucose based mostly sweetener
Get your hydration in test and watch your efficiency enhance.
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