Proper Hydration
Water is the most common nutritional deficiency in the American population, yet water is the most important nutrient in the body. This is a dangerous combination, considering water is 55 – 60% of our total body mass. In an average adult, that equates to 10 – 13 gallons of water. Most of the volume of cells and body fluids is water. What does all that water do? Among other functions, it flushes toxins and removes wastes (in skin, tear ducts, feces, urine), absorbs shock and lubricates joints, acts as a humidifier to moisten O2 for easier breathing, and empowers the body’s natural healing process. Because of all these various roles that water must perform within the body, a person cannot rely on his/her dry mouth signal to maintain adequate hydration. Pain in most forms is the body’s real cry for water. Headaches, for example, are one of the most common signs of systemic dehydration.
Adding sea salt to water is also an important measure to stay appropriately hydrated. But, you may say, isn’t salt bad? Doesn’t it exacerbate high blood pressure? The answer is that it depends on the type of salt. Think, refined table salt: bad. Unrefined sea salt: good. Here’s why: table salt is isolated pure sodium chloride. This is the substance that is dangerous for people with high blood pressure and kidney dysfunction. It makes you more thirsty, and is unusable by the body for healthy function. Refined table salt also contains chemical toxins, free radicals, and denatured nutrients that cause cell damage and malfunction. Therefore, eating a lot of chips with table salt at your favorite Mexican restaurant each week does not count towards increasing salt intake for better hydration. Artery problems are just one example of what can result.
On the other hand, sea salt that has not been refined is what you want to liberally add to your water and food. It contains a whole complex of minerals and trace elements (electrolytes) that nourish the body and allow water to be properly absorbed, therefore increasing hydration. Working on becoming adequately hydrated with filtered water and sea salt as a very first step to better health can improve many frustrating conditions such as joint and arthritis pain, stomach and intestinal pain, stress and depression, high blood pressure, excess body weight, headaches, asthma and allergies, and coffee and soda dependence.
In my Freedom of Health™ programs, I provide you with a formula for adequate hydration that considers the multifaceted aspects of water quality and quantity for your daily life.