75% of people are chronically dehydrated. Signs include dry skin/lips, constipation, ongoing muscle weakness, frequent headaches, fatigue, and altered mental states like confusion and anger, but it can also be associated with kidney stones, decreased kidney function, high (and low) blood pressure, urinary tract infections, intestinal failure, and even dementia.
Climate change and heat waves can make things worse causing acute dehydration which could result in headaches, nausea, muscle cramps/fatigue, dizziness, dark-colored urine, and thirst. Over time you may not even notice how dehydrated you are and become less sensitive to water intake as your body tries to make do with less water. Having electrolytes on hand may help prevent complications from electrolyte imbalances from excessive sweating from the high heat temperatures.
IBS, inflammatory bowel diseases, gluten/food sensitivities, or anything that can cause diarrhea/looser stools may contribute to electrolyte loss. Ketogenic diets can cause the “keto flu” and electrolyte loss. Diuretics (“water pills”) can cause you to lose fluids/electrolytes as well as sweating from exercise and heat exposure.
So, is it simply, drink more fluids? Not necessarily. Caffeine and alcoholic drinks can cause you to lose fluids. Many sports drinks contain tons of sugars, dyes, and artificial flavors that may not be great for your overall health. Electrolytes with natural sweeteners and flavors may be the answer.
One of the tastiest ones I’ve tried are Lectro-Lytes by Newroots in either Coco-Pineapple or Lemon Lime flavors. If you regularly take Vitamin C you could try SISU’s Ester C Energy Boost as it contains 1000mg of the most absorbable Vitamin C. Magnesium is used in over 800 enzymatic reactions in the body and many people are deficient in magnesium from stress and suffer from leg cramps. ElectroMag by Canprev with the highly absorbable magnesium glycinate would be a great option.
If you are exercising and want a supplement that will help with muscle building you could consider, Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen by Organika or BCAA + Electrolytes by TruMe. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is found in muscles, joints, skin, bones, etc. Collagen may help improve skin elasticity, muscle strength, and decrease osteoarthritis joint pain. If you regularly take collagen, then you can reduce the number of products you buy. Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) may help prevent muscle loss when exercising especially if on a low-calorie diet.
The best sign that you are dehydrated is if you’re thirsty. But if you don’t like plain water, try adding a yummy, flavored sugar-free electrolyte powder with added health benefits. This might just be the answer to help increase your water intake, detoxify the body, and drink your way to better health. Your mind, your skin, your joints, and your body will thank you.
Lyle Sunada is a compounding pharmacist and NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner specializing in hormone balancing and alternative medicine at Cloverdale Pharmasave. He also specializes in veterinary medicine for animals. Everything mentioned in the article is available In-Store.
Buy Organika Collagen HERE
Buy TruMe BCAA HERE
