It’s easy to get out of fluid balance, since 60% of our body weight is water. Our body cells resemble a living battery. They contain minerals, vitamins and glucose that all take orders from our DNA.  Humans are composed of 30 to 40 trillion cells and intestinal critters called microbiomes.

It is very important to pre-hydrate two hours before summer activities instead of waiting to become thirsty. Remain slowly active when rehydrating with a solution of water and sea salt, since sodium is key to rehydration in the bloodstream.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

• Higher or lower blood pressure than normal
• Stress (causes excess sugar production due to elevated cortisol hormone levels)
• The consumption of dehydrating liquids – like caffeine (coffee, black tea and sodas and/or alcohol)
• Inflammation
• High or low cholesterol
• An aversion to (or a dislike of) water or salt
• Unquenchable thirst or untreated type II diabetes (excessive sugar in your urine)
• Craving salty foods
• Absent or excessive sweating from work or play
• A low salt diet

The Institute of Medicine’s RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) on sea salt for adults is 6.8 grams daily. We recommend sea salt from Redmond or Celtic Sea Salt rather than table salt due to the broad spectrum of electrolytes in comparison to the sole inclusion of sodium chloride in table salt. The primary electrolytes that are present in sea salt are sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sulfates and phosphates. These electrolytes are utilized by the biochemical metabolism in the digestive system in conjunction with probiotics, which are ultimately utilized at the cellular level for energy.

You can dissolve several sea salt grains under your tongue and then flush your mouth with water several times a day.

To calculate your daily water consumption, drink two liters of purified water for every 120 lbs of body weight. Another method to calculate your daily water needs is to take your body weight and divide it by two, which would equal the total ounces of preferred water intake for the day. You can add the required RDA of sea salt of 6.8 grams to your water at any time of the day regardless of your intake methodologies.

There are times when dehydration becomes a serious matter requiring medical intervention. Do not hesitate to visit a medical facility if experiencing heat prostration, racing heart or stroke.  Make your summer a rewarding time by pre-planning your activities with hydration in mind.