Happy little hydrated cells
Your body is made up of about 70% water. 70%! We lose water all the time and need to replenish it. But just because you’re drinking water doesn’t mean you’re automatically “hydrated.”
Take this mini quiz to learn if you’re dehydrated…
If you answered “yes” to at least 3 of these, you might be well hydrated! If you have checked off very few, dehydration is possible and it’s worth talking to a health professional to understand why you’re dehydrated + tips on how to restore hydration.
It’s more than just chugging water
Drinking plain water and increasing your overall fluids isn’t enough to keep you hydrated. Water going down your throat or absorbed through your skin still needs to get into your cells, and that requires a strong electrical charge across your cell membranes. To increase that electrical charge, electrolytes need to be consumed.
Electrolytes are essential minerals that are vital to many key functions in the body. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, & phosphorus. When these minerals dissolve in a fluid, they form electrolytes — positive or negative ions used in metabolic processes, including proper nerve and muscle function, maintaining acid-base balance, increasing the electrical charge across the cell membrane to pull water in, thereby keeping you hydrated.
Many dehydration problems are really low mineral/electrolyte problems
A simple and effective way to ensure proper electrolyte consumption is through the use of natural, unrefined salt. These salts have color to them! So they are easy to identify. A white/grey sea salt can contain 60 trace minerals, while Himalayan salt contains up to 84. While it’s become harder and harder to obtain trace minerals from the foods we eat due to the lack of nutrient-rich soil, they are still abundant in our planet’s seas and oceans, from which we harvest a variety of sea salts.
Sometimes, however, these salts aren’t enough, especially for athletes or those of us that live in hotter climates. If you’d prefer extra electrolyte support, you may opt for a flavored electrolyte powder. Here are some options you may want to consider:
- Seeking Health Optimal Electrolyte is stevia free! (available on Fullscript)
- Designs for Health Electrolyte Synergy (available on Fullscript)
- LMNT Electrolyte Powder is a high sodium option. Great for those with adrenal dysfunction! (available on Amazon)
- Dr. Ber’gs Electrolyte Sport Drink is high in potassium. (available on Amazon)
Sometimes it can be helpful to start hydrating from the moment you wake up, to ensure more fluid absorption as the day progresses.