Hydration

March is Kidney Awareness Month. We all know how critical it is to maintain proper hydration for optimal health. Our bodies are mostly water. Every bio-electro-chemical reaction that takes place in the body uses water to facilitate it. Our kidney’s filter all of the body’s blood about every 5 minutes. Kidneys help regulate blood pressure. Staying hydrated is essential for good health. Chronic dehydration has become a common co-factor in the development, and exacerbation of, many chronic illnesses.

How Much Water?

It has been said that the average person should consume about 1/2 their body weight in OUNCES of water every day, throughout the day (not all at one time). So, a 160 lb person should drink 80 ounces of water daily (10 x 8oz glasses). This is IN ADDITION TO whatever other beverages are consumed (e.g. tea, coffee, etc.). I choose Shaklee’s “Get Clean” water pitcher filter to insure I get the highest quality water possible.

Extremely active / athletic bodies will need even more hydration to replace what is lost through respiration and perspiration.

Extremely sedentary people (such as those bed bound or house-bound) ALSO need to stay hydrated. As a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (aka Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), I know many patients are advised to consume Gatorade, or some other sports drink, to help the body stay hydrated.

Sports Drinks

Sports Drinks are supposed to help the body retain electrolytes while hydrating. Are these sports drinks actually any better than water? Do they increase the risk of Kidney Stones?

Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are usually crystalized calcium deposits the body fails to excrete. Two measurable bio-markers that can be clinically significant in the formation of stones include: (a) urinary citrate excretion and (b) the pH (acid/alkalinity) of urine. The body’s ability to excrete accumulated minerals rather than retain them is called lithogenicity. One clinical trial on urinary lithogenicity shows there IS a difference between 2 major commercially available rehydration drinks (“Performance”, by Shaklee, and “Gatorade”, owned by Pepsi).

“Performance vs Gatorade”

Shaklee’s Performance actually REDUCES the Risk Factors of stone formation BETTER than Gatorade. Shaklee’s Performance actually hydrates BETTER than Water (including flavored water). This is not to say one should reduce their amount of water intake. Rather, whenever supplementing with a flavored rehydration drink, I choose Shaklee for the above reasons, PLUS the fact Performance has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or dangerous ingredients (unlike Gatorade which, for many years until 2013, contained brominated vegetable oil, a known carcinogen used as a flame retardant, and banned for foods in both Europe and Japan.)

LifeStyle Choices for better kidney health

As a man who has experienced the intense pain of kidney stones, I began educating myself on ways to mitigate the risks of further stone formation, while maximizing my body’s ability to perform at it’s best possible level of hydration. Here’s what I do:

  • Drink more water to flush toxins out
  • Reduce / Eliminate tannin containing beverages (sodas, coffee, etc)
  • Eat More Fresh Veggies to Improve the body’s Acid / Alkaline balance. Reduce / eliminate carbonated beverages, and high-fat, high-carbohydrate fast foods, junk foods, and food-like processed products.
  • Reduce Exposure to Volatile Chemicals (Chemical coatings, sealants, solvents and cleaners, off-gassing from products treated with flame retardants and stain protectors, and inhalation of indoor air pollution caused by air “fresheners” and scented products)
  • Supplement with Shaklee Alfalfa Complex to increase urine flow, promote bladder, kidney and prostate health. Ultra pure Alfalfa Complex is high in nutrients and chlorophyll, while containing no fungicides, bacteriocides, synthetic hormones, growth regulators.

This blog reflects my own experience and understanding and is not intended to be medical advice, to prevent or treat disease. As always, see your doctor to assess your personal situation.

Here’s to your Best Health!

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