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Tuesday 17 December 2013

Using Hydrating Water To Restore Healthy Electrolyte Levels

By Cornelia White


It is important to ingest the correct amount of fluid every day but sometimes, it's necessary to supplement fluids with electrolytes as well. When heat waves strike, or during heavy training, one can easily take in too much pure H20, which dilutes salt levels and leads to problems. When sodium quantities are diminished, sickness, seizures and death can result. Hydrating water is a way to prevent this from happening.

Potassium, glucose, sodium, and calcium are all important to keep in balance if the organs are to function well. Any one of these salts, when imbalanced, can lead to too much fluid in the brain and organs. Fluid intoxication causes fits and concentration problems. This is most likely in those who have a co-existing imbalance of anti-diuretic hormone, which causes cravings for water while preventing the kidneys from excreting fluids.

Low sodium levels tend to occur not because there is a lack of salt in the diet but rather because there is an over-abundance of fluids lacking electrolytes. Those undertaking a challenging physical training program thus need to add sodium, glucose, and other salts to their intake so that imbalances do not occur.

The body's natural electrolyte balance is delicate, but it affects every cell in the body. The core electrolytes the cells need to function healthily are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and sulfate. Ready-prepared hydration formulas provide these and other electrolytes as a way to deliver the correct balance of salts and fluids to the cells at times when one is prone to drink more water than is healthy.

Salt imbalances can also be caused by excess perspiration during exercise. Short training programs generally cause reduced sodium and potassium levels. Extended training such as marathons more commonly cause extreme thirst, too much water ingestion and thus a reduction in all electrolytes.

When suffering from diarrhea and nausea, water and electrolytes need to be supplemented. There are formulas that have high sugar contents, usually served as sports drinks. These are less than ideal during times of illness. It is recommended that supplementation be done with formulas that do not contain sugar.

Electrolytes all have highly specific purposes. Many of today's health-conscious eaters eliminate sodium from their diets, but this electrolyte is crucial to health. Low levels cause hyponatremia, which can result in seizures, coma and death. Sodium is also an important part of keeping other electrolytes balanced while preventing muscle spasms.

The cardiac cells are reliant on potassium to keep the heart beat regular. It is also an important part of electrolyte balances and muscle health. When there is insufficient potassium intake, neuropathy is a common complaint.

During heat waves, hydrating water helps to increase low blood pressure while replacing electrolytes lost through sweating. Fluid is replaced in a way that does not cause salt imbalances. The highly specific quantities of salts needed by the body can be maintained in a way that pure water cannot achieve.




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