CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Your body comprises approximately 60% water, your brain is about 85% water, and water inside each cell makes up 63-65% of the total water in the body. As such, your cells, body and brain are all extremely sensitive to dehydration.
At RedRiver Health and Wellness Center, we know that water needs vary from person to person, but the common rule of thumb is 8 cups of water per day, or half your body weight in ounces. If you feel thirsty, you’re already too dehydrated. It’s best to stay ahead of your thirst by drinking plenty of filtered water throughout the day and adding electrolytes free of sugar or artificial sweeteners if necessary. My favorite brand of electrolyte powder is Redmond Re-Lyte.
The health effects of dehydration
The health effects of dehydration include the following:
- Constipation: Dehydration is a common cause of constipation.
- Gallbladder issues: Hydration induces gallbladder emptying, preventing the formation of gallstones.
- Decreased brain function: Dehydration from heat exposure or exercise significantly decreases alertness, concentration, tracking performance and short-term memory, and increases tiredness and headaches.
- Allergies and/or asthma: Dehydration suppresses and dysregulates immune function, causing the release of excess histamine to flush out pollen and lubricate mucus membranes. Histamine also constricts bronchioles to conserve water.
- Arthritis and pain: Dehydration dries out cartilage and discs, causing friction between joints, inflammation, pain and degeneration.
Rehydrate with filtered water
Although tap water is sanitized to prevent disease, it contains toxic compounds such as chlorine and chloramine. Chlorine is the most commonly used; chloramine less so. Unlike chlorine, chloramine stays in the water longer and cannot be removed through boiling, distilling or letting water sit uncovered.
Use a heavy-duty carbon filter that removes particles measuring 0.8 microns or under to reduce your exposure to industrial chemicals, their byproducts and drugs in the water. If your water contains chloramine, use a filter designed to remove it.
Elevated serum levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit indicate dehydration.
To learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation, please visit our website. We work with your prescribing physician for optimal results. Do not discontinue medication or hormone replacement therapy without consulting your prescribing physician.
Written by JOSH REDD, chiropractic physician at RedRiver Health and Wellness Center.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
About Josh Redd
Josh Redd, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, is a chiropractic physician and author of the Amazon bestselling book “The Truth About Low Thyroid.” Redd owns seven functional medicine clinics in the western United States and sees patients from across the country and around the world who are suffering from challenging autoimmune, endocrine and neurological disorders. He studied immunology, virology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins where he is a MaPHB candidate. He also teaches thousands of health care practitioners about functional medicine and immunology, thyroid health, neurology, lab testing and more.
Resources
- RedRiver Health and Wellness Center | Address: 1490 E. Foremaster Drive #130, St. George | Telephone: 435-767-9355 | Email: [email protected] | RedRiver Health and Wellness Center.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.