Hydration

Saturday August 6, 2011

In the midst of August, 2011, in Texas, with our 40th consecutive day of triple digit temperatures, hydration is a matter oflife and death. When we read of elder people dying in the heat, dehydration is most often the culprit. As we age, our sensitivity to thirst weakens. 

In the midst of August, 2011, in Texas, with our 40th consecutive day of triple digit temperatures, hydration is a matter oflife and death. When we read of elder people dying in the heat, dehydration is most often the culprit. As we age, our sensitivity to thirst weakens. 

While there is some controversy about how much water we need, the general formula is to divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of good quality water. Where it starts to get complicated is when you try to factor in dehydrating beverages, like fruit juice, caffeine, milk and alcohol. Say you have a 16 ounce cup of coffee every morning. This would mean to re-hydrate well, you need an additional 24 ounces of water. Complicate that even more with the theory that over 100 ounces of water a day (approx. 3 liters) can wash away minerals and other elecrtrolytes, and pretty soon you need an 'App' just to try and figure it out!

Here's a solution. Try for a large glass of water first thing upon rising. I shoot for a 24 ounce glass of cold water, especially in the summer. The Ayurvedic tradition is warm water, often with lemon, and I am all for the lemon, but warm water never felt right for me. The idea is to find what feels the most strengthening and life enhancing for yourself, and then make it a habit. 

I got a case of water in one liter glass bottles a few months back, when I tried to purge as much BPA from our lives as possible. These refill and cork easily with recycled wine corks. I keep them in the fridgeand try to finish a fourth one not long before bed every day, winter and summer. BPA (thanks for another of your flaming bag of dog poo on the front porch gifts, Monsanto) is present in most water bottles, and evidence of its toxicity is mounting. Like our food choices, our water choices are degrading, and it is well worth while to get the very best water available.

Dr Batmanghelidi in his book, 'You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty!' claims, albeit with somewhat confusing medical evidence that dehydration can cause or complicate asthma, hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain, digestive problems, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, gout.... the list goes on. Given the cost of these illnesses, hydrating well as a solution or at least to ease symptoms is certainly worth a try.

To check yourself or someone else for proper hydration, have them stand, one hand over their heart. Palpate a vein in the lower hand and then raise the hand to heart level as demonstrated by the other hand. If there is a lessening in the size and texture of the vein, ie, if it feels less turgid, then a big glass of water is in order.

Austin Nutritional Therapy by Elaine DiRico