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Water

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Did you know water makes up more than 60% of your body?

Staying well hydrated is important for wellbeing and for the proper functioning of your body especially brain function and lymphatic function (lymphatic function is important for nourishment of cells and removal of waste).

What depletes water?

Water can be depleted by stress, both physiological and environmental e.g. consumption of alcohol, caffeinated drinks, processed foods, excessive sweating and excercise.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Fatigue and “brain fog” can be two of the first indications of dehydration.  You may be surprised how much more alert you can feel after a glass or two of water.  So, instead of reaching for another coffee or sweet treat to give you a boost, try a glass of water first!

A great way to keep kids alert and focussed is to ensure they are drinking water regularly.

Some signs of dehydration are: dry, sticky mouth, thirst, headache, dry, itchy skin, dizzy and light headedness.

Signs of more severe dehydration are:  little or no urination, urine darker than usual, dry mucous membranes (itchy eyes), skin that doesn’t bounce back when pinched into a fold, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat.

Symptoms of extreme dehydration are: delerium and unconsciousness.  Seek medical attention immediately for signs of severe or extreme dehydration.

Tips to increase your water intake

You can treat mild to moderate dehydration by increasing your fluid intake, here are some tips…

  • Water at room temperature is more easily absorbed
  • Think of drinking water in small amounts, frequently throughout the day, rather than drinking 2 or 3 glasses all at once.  I find that people who have a water jug and glass sitting on their desk seem to drink more than those who drink from a sipper bottle.
  • Avoid drinking more than one glass of water within 20 minutes of meals because it may dilute your digestive juices.
  • Fruit juices are processed as food and do not serve your body’s need for water
  • Filtering your water helps to reduce the incidence of impurities, but reverse osmosis watet and some bottled water can be devoid of important minerals making it acidic.  There are products available that can add the trace minerals back into the water and raise the pH level (alkalize).  Just how much these products add back into the water varies.
  • Adding a green powder (Spirulina, wheat/barley grass) or chlorophyll to the water can increase the alkalinity and its mineral content.

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      Occasionally adding slices of lemon or lime, mint, cucumber or berries can make water more palatable.  My personal favorite is lime and mint.

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An inexpensive way to add trace minerals into your water is to add a pinch of non-processed salt such as Celtic sea salt or Himalayan rock salt to a glass of water.  The water should not taste salty. Tip:  Finely ground salt dissolves more easily

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