If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my nearly 40-year career in the health field, it’s this:

Our bodies are FAR smarter than we give them credit for, and they let you know what they need and when they need it.

The key here is that you have to listen! 

For example, when your body needs nutrients, you feel hunger.

When it needs rest, you feel tired.

When it’s repairing an injury, you have swelling and inflammation.

But one area where your body is vaguer in its communication is when it needs water.

I’m talking about dehydration.

Here’s what you need to know about this frequently overlooked but common health issue, and some causes of it you might not be aware of.

You’re all wet…or not

Water is critical to your body--keeping your body hydrated is a MUST for it to function and for you to exist at all.

Here are some of the impressive functions of the H2O inside of YOU:

• Regulate your body temperature
• Moisten your tissues
• Cushion and protect your organs
• Carry wastes away from your cells
• Lubricate your joints
• Assist your liver and kidneys with detoxification
• Carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells
• Maintain your blood volume
• Keep digestion efficient
• Maintain your pH in the desirable slightly alkaline range
• Dissolve minerals and other nutrients

 

Dehydration—demand > supply

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving your body is greater than the amount being put in.

It can sneak up on you without warning—and you can go from a slight problem to fighting for your life surprisingly quickly.

When dehydration initially occurs, the first signs are increased thirst, dry mouth and dark yellow urine.

Next your body may stop making tears, sweat and urine.  Your skin can become dry, your hair brittle, and you get constipated.

Then it can progress into muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, back pain, and decreased energy and cognitive functioning.

At this point your body is trying desperately to maintain cardiac output (the amount of blood that your heart pumps through the body).  It compensates by increasing your heart rate and making your blood vessels constrict in an attempt to maintain blood pressure and blood flow to your vital organs.

Your body also pulls blood away from the skin to give it to the internal organs and this gives your skin a cool, clammy feeling. 

If dehydration becomes severe, confusion, weakness and seizures can occur as your brain and other organs aren’t receiving the blood they need. Eventually coma, organ failure and death can result if it remains untreated.

So much more than sweating!

Although most people associate dehydration with sweating in the hot sun, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are eight other surprising causes of dehydration:

Diabetes:  When blood sugar levels are elevated, your body tries to eliminate the excess glucose through increased urine output, which can dehydrate you. 

Menstrual cycle:  Estrogen and progesterone influence your body's hydration levels.  Plus the amount of blood loss during heavy menstrual flow can cause dehydration.

Stress: When you’re under chronic stress, your adrenals work in overdrive secreting adrenaline and cortisol, and eventually they can become exhausted.  Since your adrenals also produce aldosterone (which regulates your fluid levels), dehydration can result when they are pooped out.

The biological clock: As you age, your body's ability to conserve water and its sensation for thirst decline, so dehydration can sneak up on you.

Medications: Many medications act as diuretics—especially high blood pressure drugs. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: A woman’s body has additional fluid needs during pregnancy and for producing breast milk. 

Poor diet: One of your body’s primary sources of water is fruits and vegetables.  So if your only vegetables of late have been French fries and ketchup, you are at a risk for dehydration.

Diarrhea: During digestion, your colon is supposed to absorb water from your wastes…but with diarrhea, it doesn’t get the chance because everything is flying through at the speed of light.  So you can end up dehydrated as a result.

It’s 100 percent preventable!

The good news is that dehydration is virtually 100 percent preventable. 

Here’s what you need to do to make sure your body has the fluids it needs to keep all your organs and systems working like they should:

1) Drink your water

You should be drinking at least eight 8-oz. glasses of filtered water a day at a minimum, and even more if you are:

• Exercising
• Working outdoors in hot weather
• Over age 65
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Prone to heavy periods

Another barometer is to look at how many pounds you weigh and drink at least half that number in ounces of water.

For example, a person weighing 150 pounds should drink at least 75 ounces of water a day.

2) Eat your water

Fresh vegetables and fruits not only give your body much-needed nutrients, but they’re a great source of water (and fiber too).

3) Keep your water

To make sure your colon can properly absorb water from your wastes (and prevent diarrhea), it’s crucial to have efficient digestion. 

You can encourage better digestion by eating meals that are easier for your body to tackle and supporting your system’s efforts with enzyme supplementation.

The dietary advice

My Great Taste No Pain health system gives you the dietary guidance you need to construct delicious, nutritious meals (featuring sources of water like fruits and vegetables) that are less taxing on your GI tract.

When your system can better break down your foods, you can say goodbye to issues like diarrhea, gas, bloating and constipation!

Plus here’s a bonus—if you have health challenges like hypertension or diabetes than can play a role in dehydration, you’ll likely see improvements in those conditions with a healthier diet.

Enzyme supplementation

Many people suffer from digestive issues because their bodies are not able to produce enough enzymes for their needs.

This is especially true if you are over age 50, have used acid reducers, or have had gastric or gallbladder surgery. 

But a complete enzyme formula like Digestizol Max can help pinch-hit where your body may be lacking and pave the way for better digestion!

Digestizol Max’s blend of 15 plant-based enzymes can help your body break down literally any kind of food you eat, efficiently and comfortably!

Don’t let dehydration sneak up on you.  See how great you can feel when you stay properly hydrated and all your systems can work like they’re supposed to!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia