News Home

Exploring Proper Hydration

May 21 2013

Exploring Proper Hydration
By: Debra Meszaros
Body Performance Coach- Clubmx
www.clubmx-sc.com
www.MxSportsNutrition.com

Can the kind of water you drink pollute, clog, or hinder your body’s performance?

Which variables affect which functions?

Can you still be dehydrated even if you drink plenty of water?

All water is not created equal. Making sure you are consuming the correct kind of water can determine how effective it will be in carrying out the functions that it is responsible for. Many of you drink plenty of water but are still dehydrated because the quality of your water is just as important as the quantity in which you consume.

Pure water is necessary for the transportation of nutrients and oxygen into your cells but water that is not in a pure state, slows down this process. Tap water often contains chlorine, fluoride, and a host of other chemical additives. Chemicals clog, pollute, and slow down cellular communication. Carefully select your bottled water, as often a majority of bottled water is just tap water or filtered tap water. Clean water is needed to cushion your joints, hydrate your skin, and remove waste from the body. Joint issues and premature winkling are often signs of long term dehydration.

Do you wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink?

If waiting until you feel thirsty is your cue to have a drink, you’re probably already slightly dehydrated. Additionally, as you get older the body has a tougher time sensing dehydration and is less able to send signals to your brain. Relying on feeling thirsty to regulate your intake of water will not be effective to properly hydrate the body.

What, when and how much to drink:

The average person not exercising requires approximately half their body weight in fluid ounces of pure water daily to maintain a hydrated state. If you exercise, one needs to add an additional 8 ounces of water per every 20 minutes of exercise. For every glass of diuretic beverages: caffeine [coffee, tea, and soda] or alcohol, you need to add an additional glass of water. When you fly in a plane, one should consume 8 ounces of water for every hour you are flying.

Proper hydration is achieved when you drink pure water throughout the day, in smaller doses, and in greater frequency. Avoid drinking the majority of your water during your meals. Drinking the proper quantity of water quickly, in one or two shots, will not properly hydrate the body.

The type of water you consume can really make a difference in hydration and performance. The ultimate form of water is water that has been microfiltered, gone through reverse osmosis and ultraviolet exposure for purification, then electrolyte infused with calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. The next process would be to add ionic separation which removes the lower, acidic PH ions so the water contains a high PH and is alkaline to the body. In ionic form, minerals are much easier to absorb and are quickly utilized by your body’s cells. As an added bonus the water tastes great! This type of water is also great for individuals who either do not like to drink water or experience stomach discomfort when they drink water. Something about the ionic form of minerals that tends to adjust ones perception of water and you begin to crave it. A quick Google search for reverse osmosis, electrolyte infused, ionic separated water should provide you with brands to choose from.

©2013 Debra Meszaros MXSportsNutrition.com. All rights reserved; no duplication without permission.
DISCLAIMER: When you read through the diet and lifestyle information, you must know that everything within it is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. I am making no attempt to prescribe any medical treatment. You should not use the information here for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. The products and the claims made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Confirm the safety of any supplements with your M.D., N.D. or pharmacist (healthcare professional). Some information given is solely an opinion, thought and or conclusion based on experiences, trials, tests, assessments or other available sources of information. I do not make any guarantees or promises with regard to results. I may discuss substances that have not been subject to double blind clinical studies or FDA approval or regulation. You assume the responsibility for the decision to take any natural remedy.
You and only you are responsible if you choose to do anything with the information you have read. You do so at your own risk. I encourage you to make your own health decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional