With upcoming heat waves, most are aware of the critical nature of remaining hydrated, but what’s often ignored is the need to maintain electrolyte status.
With an increase in perspiration, we lose vital fluids, but along with that we also lose minerals, which are required to maintain cellular function. The term electrolyte is a good one to help us remember that the electrical status of our nervous system is dependent on both cations and anions, (positively and negatively charged minerals).
Just as a battery has both positive and negative terminals to function properly, we need both types of minerals to elicit normal nerve impulses. If we become depleted in any of these, some of our most basic functions can become compromised.
The contractions of your heart depend heavily on the mineral potassium. This is one mineral easily lost when we’re overheated and sweating heavily. Besides potassium, calcium and hydrogen are other cations involved in maintaining the rhythm of the heart.
Besides losing cations when sweating, anions like chloride, iodide, and bromide, which are a group of atoms which have gained electrons and have a negative charge. It’s important we have a balance of both anions and cations to maintain our pH.
When a person loses too much fluid sweating, it was common to give salt tablets to provide both the chloride (negative charged) and sodium (positively charged) ions to help hold fluid in the cells, preventing serious dehydration. Although both minerals required by the body for normal function, often times the trace minerals are overlooked.
Natural sodium, required to maintain tissue hydration is best obtained from fresh vegetables. When we take in pure sodium chloride, in the form of table salt, the body will attempt to quickly balance this out by increasing kidney output, thus defeating our purpose. My favorite for dealing with the heat and maintaining proper sodium balance it to use one of the richest vegetable sources, which is celery. Because this is one of the dirty dozen, meaning it is commonly grown with too many chemicals that I opt to always obtain organic celery.
Potassium is critical for running the sodium pump which directs excess sodium out of the cells so it can be handled by the kidneys to regulate systemic hydration and avoid things like edema and hypertension. One source of potassium is that of carrots. I know most look to bananas for the potassium, as well as oranges. I’ve been using both the carrots and celery in my morning smoothie. When faced with increased chance of hot weather and greater perspiration, I double up on those two vegetables as I want to be prepared for environmental losses.
At times when I’ve been on my bike riding east of the mountains in the summer, I’ve had to be vitally aware of the conditions. Just as wind chill factors must be understood when riding in the winter time, riding in the heat can be equally dangerous. The prospect of hot air and traveling at speeds of fifty to seventy, the evaporation is tremendously greater than any other time because you aren’t aware of moisture being wicked away. Besides maintaining increased water consumption, consider where you are getting your minerals.
A proper breakfast with mineral laden fruits and vegetables prior to going out in the heat is something often overlooked. Knowing I have to re-roof both my house and my out buildings this summer, I am very aware that being on a roof with black shingles in the sun can spell doom. Because of this, I have to take the proper precautions. Minerals, water, and breaks for allowing to cool down.
Don’t let your summer destroy your fun this year. Many have done damage to their system by allowing for heat stroke which can plague them for years after. Many who’ve experienced this are no longer able to tolerate summer heat. The proper function of the skin and the ability to cool the body through the mechanism of perspiration is extremely important in maintaining the internal temperature of the body. When this fails, we see enzymatic activity throughout the system altered.
Between hydration and maintaining mineral balance, you can be prepared to take on the summer and enjoy it. Hiding in an air-conditioned building isn’t my idea of enjoying summer. Limit your diuretics. Coffee, sodas, and black tea have the ability to deplete both your minerals and fluids.
With an increase in perspiration, we lose vital fluids, but along with that we also lose minerals, which are required to maintain cellular function. The term electrolyte is a good one to help us remember that the electrical status of our nervous system is dependent on both cations and anions, (positively and negatively charged minerals).
Just as a battery has both positive and negative terminals to function properly, we need both types of minerals to elicit normal nerve impulses. If we become depleted in any of these, some of our most basic functions can become compromised.
The contractions of your heart depend heavily on the mineral potassium. This is one mineral easily lost when we’re overheated and sweating heavily. Besides potassium, calcium and hydrogen are other cations involved in maintaining the rhythm of the heart.
Besides losing cations when sweating, anions like chloride, iodide, and bromide, which are a group of atoms which have gained electrons and have a negative charge. It’s important we have a balance of both anions and cations to maintain our pH.
When a person loses too much fluid sweating, it was common to give salt tablets to provide both the chloride (negative charged) and sodium (positively charged) ions to help hold fluid in the cells, preventing serious dehydration. Although both minerals required by the body for normal function, often times the trace minerals are overlooked.
Natural sodium, required to maintain tissue hydration is best obtained from fresh vegetables. When we take in pure sodium chloride, in the form of table salt, the body will attempt to quickly balance this out by increasing kidney output, thus defeating our purpose. My favorite for dealing with the heat and maintaining proper sodium balance it to use one of the richest vegetable sources, which is celery. Because this is one of the dirty dozen, meaning it is commonly grown with too many chemicals that I opt to always obtain organic celery.
Potassium is critical for running the sodium pump which directs excess sodium out of the cells so it can be handled by the kidneys to regulate systemic hydration and avoid things like edema and hypertension. One source of potassium is that of carrots. I know most look to bananas for the potassium, as well as oranges. I’ve been using both the carrots and celery in my morning smoothie. When faced with increased chance of hot weather and greater perspiration, I double up on those two vegetables as I want to be prepared for environmental losses.
At times when I’ve been on my bike riding east of the mountains in the summer, I’ve had to be vitally aware of the conditions. Just as wind chill factors must be understood when riding in the winter time, riding in the heat can be equally dangerous. The prospect of hot air and traveling at speeds of fifty to seventy, the evaporation is tremendously greater than any other time because you aren’t aware of moisture being wicked away. Besides maintaining increased water consumption, consider where you are getting your minerals.
A proper breakfast with mineral laden fruits and vegetables prior to going out in the heat is something often overlooked. Knowing I have to re-roof both my house and my out buildings this summer, I am very aware that being on a roof with black shingles in the sun can spell doom. Because of this, I have to take the proper precautions. Minerals, water, and breaks for allowing to cool down.
Don’t let your summer destroy your fun this year. Many have done damage to their system by allowing for heat stroke which can plague them for years after. Many who’ve experienced this are no longer able to tolerate summer heat. The proper function of the skin and the ability to cool the body through the mechanism of perspiration is extremely important in maintaining the internal temperature of the body. When this fails, we see enzymatic activity throughout the system altered.
Between hydration and maintaining mineral balance, you can be prepared to take on the summer and enjoy it. Hiding in an air-conditioned building isn’t my idea of enjoying summer. Limit your diuretics. Coffee, sodas, and black tea have the ability to deplete both your minerals and fluids.
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