The Human Body Is 70% Water!
Most Americans are dehydrated and don’t know it. In fact, in America, water is the number one nutritional deficiency. The body’s joints, discs, organs, muscles, and skin all rely on water to make them work properly. If you feel the “thirst” sensation, it means you’re already dehydrated.
Dehydration may be the cause of high blood pressure, and blood clots are often the result of thicker blood due to dehydration. Athletes are especially at a higher risk for dehydration and it will impair their ability to perform at peak levels, especially when exercising in a hot, humid environment. Learn how to stay hydrated all day below.
Salt is an important component of proper hydration.
Salt drives water into the cells (think, osmosis) instead of allowing the water to pool outside the cell walls producing swollen ankles and painful joints. Salt is a natural histamine, and pinches of salt followed by small drinks of water will stop excessive histamine production.
The salt used to help with hydration should contain 60-70 trace minerals (e.g. Celtic Sea Salt, Real Salt, or Himalayan Rock Salt) and should be taken in addition to the salt used in cooking and eating food. The salt may be added to the water directly or taken by mouth alone and followed by a small amount of water…just enough to get it down. This is one reason why you might drink salt water.
Here are a few pointers regarding proper hydration:
- For every 50 pounds of body weight, drink one quart of water.
- For each quart of water consumed, ingest ¼ teaspoon of sea salt.
- Stop drinking liquids ½ hour before consuming a meal and startup hydrating again 3 hours after the meal. Your food will digest better because your stomach acid won’t be diluted and neutralized!
- For every cup of a caffeinated drink consumed, the body loses two to three cups of water. For every cup of an alcoholic beverage consumed, the body loses three cups of water. Adjust your water/salt intake accordingly.
- One of the easiest cures for a hangover: proper hydration!
Dr. Joel Vickers,
Applied Kinesiologist
