I have been seeing many people who are dehydrated now that the weather is turning warmer. Here in Los Angeles, it has been very dry with the humidity at 17-20%.
So, that means drink a lot more water, right? Not necessarily. Have you ever cut yourself and had water leak out? No, because the water in the body is always mixed up with other vital nutrients, particularly minerals.
In fact, drinking too much water can flush out minerals and water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin B’s and Vitamin C.
Healthy fats are also needed to prevent dehydration and protect against environmental stress.
If you find that you are thirsty, no matter how much water you drink, and have dry mouth, eyes and skin, increase your minerals such as iodine and potassium. Also, add high quality fish oil for the natural Vitamin A, which keeps the cells of the skin healthy. Vitamin A is also vital for mucous membranes and will help protect against colds, flus and allergies.
Because coffee, tea and other drinks that contain caffeine stimulate kidneys, you may need more minerals, fats and B Vitamins.
You can make your own natural sports drink to replace electrolytes by squeezing an organic lemon, add 6 oz of water, a pinch of sea salt and a touch of raw honey, or stevia. Adjust ingredients to taste. The sea salt and potassium from the lemons will help your body to get rid of cellular waste. Electrolytes created by the salt-potassium balance in the blood allow waste products to exit the individual cells to be cleared out. Nutrients can only penetrate the cell membranes when electrolytes are present so the transport takes place.
The electrolyte balance is a significant factor in cancer and other disease protection and minerals may be the most important element in our diets. We focus on vitamins, but the minerals are the building blocks of tissue and cells. Loading up on calcium lactate may ward off a cold or flu, because this easily assimilated form of calcium protects the cell wall from invasion by viruses.
You must have sufficient stomach acid to be able to absorb and utilize minerals. Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tablespoon to a cup of water, is helpful, as are digestive enzymes that also contain hydrochloric acid.
So, individual needs for water will vary with your weight, the weather, activity level, etc. http://chriskresser.com/hydration-101-how-much-water-do-you-really-need
Don’t force yourself to drink more. The body is not a sieve and toxins will not flush out of fat tissue, just because you drink more water. And you may tax your kidneys by requiring them to work harder to filter water. If you suffer in hot weather, or with exercise, increase your mineral intake by adding more vegetables and mineral supplements, and consider a liver cleanse. Eliminating sugars and grains will help your body to balance, also. And eat breakfast! I recently had to work on a young slim guy who passed out on a hiking trail at Brandt Park. He had plenty of water by had skipped breakfast, so his blood sugar level dropped too low. Big demand requires fuel. Small demand requires less fuel = obesity epidemic. Somewhere in there is a balance for each of us.