Highlights of Hydration

It’s summertime…in Texas…and it’s HOT! The theme of this month’s post is all about proper hydration to ensure you are keeping yourself safe and operating on all cylinders. The recipe in this newsletter is filled with mineral rich foods from the farmers market and in this post, I am going to tell you why having these seasonal foods accompanied with proper hydration needs to be your top priority. This post is extensive to grab a chair and get comfortable; maybe even grab a pen and paper while you’re at it.

It may surprise you to know that about 60% of your body weight is water. All cells contain water and all the organs and tissues in your body need water to function properly. That’s why drinking water should be part of your daily routine not only for a healthy life, but also to prevent dehydration, a dangerous condition. Dehydration, also known as fluid loss, occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. This causes an imbalance of salt and sugar in the body, which affects its ability to function properly and perform the way it should.

Proper Hydration:

Proper hydration is not simply drinking plain water, but is more about getting the water inside your cells. To do that, you need to improve the electrical charge across your cellular membranes by adding proper electrolytes into your water glass and eating mineral rich foods. Clinically, I find that the vast majority of people are dehydrated. Often times clients will say they drink over half their body weight in ounces per day which is a good goal to shoot for. The issue is that not all water is actually entering the cell unless it’s paired with minerals…among other factors in many cases. Our bodies are actually 99% water molecules and the more you learn about cellular water the more it’s obvious to see that dehydration is a major issue when it comes to coherence and communication inside of your body.

Let’s Talk Minerals:

Minerals are essential nutrients that are required by our bodies for a wide range of physiological processes. Many people struggle to get enough of these vital nutrients in their diets, leading to a variety of mineral deficiencies and chronic symptoms. To avoid mineral deficiencies, it is important to eat a well-balanced and varied diet that includes whole, nutrient-dense foods.

Key Minerals and Their Food Sources:

Magnesium- maintains nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, helps bones remain strong, helps adjusts blood glucose levels

Sources: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, coconut water, watermelon, salmon, almonds, cashews, dark chocolate, legumes, bananas

Sodium- maintains fluid levels in the body and blood pressure, maintains nerve and muscle function

Sources: Celtic/Pink Himalayan sea salt, pickles, sardines

Potassium- Promotes nerve and muscle function, regulates heartbeat, and can help maintain fluid balance

Sources: Bananas, avocado, potatoes, orange juice, squash, non-fat plain yogurt, salmon, prune juice, coconut water, watermelon, beets, spinach

Calcium- keeps teeth and bones strong, helps muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system

Sources: Milk, cheese, yogurt, leafy green vegetables, sardines, salmon

Best Time for your Water Intake?

Drinking water all throughout the day is goals but hydrating upon waking is going to start your day just right. Reasons to get a good amount of water in when you wake:

1. It rehydrates you after a waterless night

2. It increases your energy levels

3. It boosts mental performance

4. It stimulates your metabolism

5. It promotes digestion

6. It curbs hunger pangs

Your body has an acid-alkaline circadian rhythm, and you need more acidity in the morning, which gives you the power to wake up and get going. You need alkalinity for perseverance, which is one reason your body gets more alkaline throughout the day unless you eat junk. Start your day with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, which contains fruit acids that will raise your acidity, and as the fruit acids degrade, they become alkaline.

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

What is in our drinking water?

Fluoride has over 64 well done and peer reviewed studies have shown how fluoride effects IQ. There are also studies showing it crosses the placenta and is toxic for your thyroid.
PFAS (Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) contamination is rampant throughout the US. It has shown up in the majority of American’s blood, partly due to contamination of our drinking water from industrial runoff. “Forever chemicals” are linked to learning delays in children, cancer, and other health problems.
A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1999 and 2000 found pharmaceutical medications in 80% of the water samples drawn from 139 streams that were tested in 30 states. The drugs included antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, etc.
As well, lead, arsenic, and mercury have all been found in drinking water. We saw this in Flint, Michigan recently and we will continue to see it.

Every single system of our body requires water to function which is why we can only go a few days without it before survival is no longer an option, but drinking water is very contaminated in the US. Water with toxins in it does not register in the body the same as clean water. Clean water is like premium fuel, it helps every process of the body work efficiently. When toxins are in the water, the body’s biochemical processes work at a reduced rate, causing long term issues. It’s important not to be fearful here but know the issues with tap water and filter your water. I personally use and recommend the Berkey Filter in my home.