Summer is approaching and millions of passengers will be enduring crowded planes and terminals…and perhaps even sitting in a seat next to someone with a cold or the flu (someone who is sneezing or coughing). So, what can travelers do to stay healthy and alert while traveling? Plenty, say the experts.
Here are some tips:
The Problem: Dry Cabin Air
The low humidity and low air pressure in airplane cabins tend to dry out the sensitive mucus membranes in the mouth, nose and throat where viruses and bacteria can take hold.
What To Do:
Keep drinking. Ideally, drink 8 ounces of water, fruit juice or VITALYTE for each hour of your trip.
Why VITALYTE? It hydrates you without diluting your blood as does plain water, so you don’t have to stand in line for the bathroom. Many airline pilots drink VITALYTE to keep alert during the flight and they appreciate the fact that they don’t have to leave the flight deck even on cross-country flights.
How do I get the VITALYTE past security? Well lucky for you, we’re TSA compliant! Just bring quart or half-liter packets of VITALYTE and an empty water bottle through security and refill the bottle at a drinking fountain (or buy a bottle of water once past security), mix up the VITALYTE and enjoy your trip, and the friendly skies!
For a great deal on your supply of Quart packets or the new Half-Liter packets of VITALYTE please visit the VITALYTE Store on our website and for more Air Travel tips; including Germs in Close Quarters, Blocked Ears and Blood Clots, please read the rest of my articles in the Hydration 101 section. Drink up and drink often…
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Do I Need More Electrolytes?
How do I know if need more electrolytes?
You lose electrolyte through your sweat glands as well as your intestinal and urinary tract. That means that aside from physical exertion, your electrolytes can also run low due to your diet or drinking habits, the climate, stress, or illness. You can know that your electrolytes are low by monitoring your physical symptoms, getting your blood pressure checked, or getting a blood test.
Be sure to monitor and replace your electrolytes if:
• Have a stress related disorder
• Suffer from an illness that is heat related
• Sweat excessively
• Have trouble sweating
• Have trouble with your circulation: cold hands or feet
• Have low blood pressure
• Have high blood pressure
• Are on blood pressure medication
• Your diet is poor and lacking fluids
• Have a compromised immune system
• Are a regular exerciser
Where to obtain electrolytes:
There are many different food or drinks out there that contain electrolytes, however it is a hard task getting a proper balance of electrolytes through your everyday diet. Back in the days before sports drinks, people used to rely on bone broths or soups to replace their lost electrolytes. Now, people rely on electrolyte sources that either has too much or too little of a certain type of electrolyte. With all the health problems that can crop up due to an electrolyte imbalance, it is important that everyone understands the need o replace their lost electrolytes.
Taking in extra salt is not a way to cure an electrolyte imbalance. In fact elevated salt levels can end up creating an imbalance as well as high blood pressure and heart trouble. Have too little salt is also a problem. Low levels of sodium can lead to lowered blood pressure and a compromised immune system causing a susceptibility to bacteria like staph or E.Coli.
Sports drinks such as Vitalyte can replace or balance electrolytes.
Drinking lots of water will not help you balance out your electrolytes. In fact this will just dilute them and cause a even greater imbalance. Gatorade generally does not contain all the different electrolytes that your body needs. Also, in order to work properly, sports drinks need to be isotonic, meaning that they are the same concentration as blood, and most are not. The high amounts of sugar that Gatorade contains can render the natural electrical charge of the electrolyte neutral making absorption into the cells impossible. Vitalyte has improved this process and thus developed a electrolyte replenishing drink with the perfect balance of electrolytes your body needs!
You lose electrolyte through your sweat glands as well as your intestinal and urinary tract. That means that aside from physical exertion, your electrolytes can also run low due to your diet or drinking habits, the climate, stress, or illness. You can know that your electrolytes are low by monitoring your physical symptoms, getting your blood pressure checked, or getting a blood test.
Be sure to monitor and replace your electrolytes if:
• Have a stress related disorder
• Suffer from an illness that is heat related
• Sweat excessively
• Have trouble sweating
• Have trouble with your circulation: cold hands or feet
• Have low blood pressure
• Have high blood pressure
• Are on blood pressure medication
• Your diet is poor and lacking fluids
• Have a compromised immune system
• Are a regular exerciser
Where to obtain electrolytes:
There are many different food or drinks out there that contain electrolytes, however it is a hard task getting a proper balance of electrolytes through your everyday diet. Back in the days before sports drinks, people used to rely on bone broths or soups to replace their lost electrolytes. Now, people rely on electrolyte sources that either has too much or too little of a certain type of electrolyte. With all the health problems that can crop up due to an electrolyte imbalance, it is important that everyone understands the need o replace their lost electrolytes.
Taking in extra salt is not a way to cure an electrolyte imbalance. In fact elevated salt levels can end up creating an imbalance as well as high blood pressure and heart trouble. Have too little salt is also a problem. Low levels of sodium can lead to lowered blood pressure and a compromised immune system causing a susceptibility to bacteria like staph or E.Coli.
Sports drinks such as Vitalyte can replace or balance electrolytes.
Drinking lots of water will not help you balance out your electrolytes. In fact this will just dilute them and cause a even greater imbalance. Gatorade generally does not contain all the different electrolytes that your body needs. Also, in order to work properly, sports drinks need to be isotonic, meaning that they are the same concentration as blood, and most are not. The high amounts of sugar that Gatorade contains can render the natural electrical charge of the electrolyte neutral making absorption into the cells impossible. Vitalyte has improved this process and thus developed a electrolyte replenishing drink with the perfect balance of electrolytes your body needs!
The Balancing Act of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are ionic substances that our body needs in order for our muscles to work properly. They provide the necessary electric charge to motivate the muscle tissue to expand and contract. Even the heart, which is also a muscle, needs electrolyte replenishment in order to keep functioning. Our nervous system is also dependant on a proper electrolyte balance in order function properly and maintains a tight control on the electrolyte levels in our system. Our electrolyte levels can be impacted by diet, stress, illness, medications and physical exertion.
Electrolytes consist of the positive ions of
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
Electrolytes also consist of the negative ions of
• Chloride
• Bicarbonate
• Phosphate
Signs of an Electrolyte imbalance
• Blood pressure that is too high or too low
• Excessive fatigue
• Problems with the immune system
• Circulation problems
Who suffers from electrolyte imbalances?
While superstar athletes like Michael Jordan and Shaq are perhaps the best known sufferers of off kilter electrolytes, research indicates that other groups including the elderly and the ill are just as prone to suffer a electrolyte imbalance.
Certain prescription drugs can also affect electrolytes...
• Diuretics
• Antihistamines
• Tranquilizers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Beta blockers
• Vasoconstrictors
All of these can alter the balance of electrolytes and lead to other serious health issues.
You can lose a lot of electrolytes by merely doing daily activities such as mowing the lawn, going for a run, golfing, even driving across country. Everyone is susceptible.
Electrolytes consist of the positive ions of
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
Electrolytes also consist of the negative ions of
• Chloride
• Bicarbonate
• Phosphate
Signs of an Electrolyte imbalance
• Blood pressure that is too high or too low
• Excessive fatigue
• Problems with the immune system
• Circulation problems
Who suffers from electrolyte imbalances?
While superstar athletes like Michael Jordan and Shaq are perhaps the best known sufferers of off kilter electrolytes, research indicates that other groups including the elderly and the ill are just as prone to suffer a electrolyte imbalance.
Certain prescription drugs can also affect electrolytes...
• Diuretics
• Antihistamines
• Tranquilizers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Beta blockers
• Vasoconstrictors
All of these can alter the balance of electrolytes and lead to other serious health issues.
You can lose a lot of electrolytes by merely doing daily activities such as mowing the lawn, going for a run, golfing, even driving across country. Everyone is susceptible.
The Right Balance!
The Right Balance of Ingredients
In the past, many athletes created their own energy/sports drinks. Some still do. However, a sports drink that has a proper balance of ingredients will be much more effective than a homemade version. Most commercial sports drinks have the correct balance of electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and liquids. Without the right mix of ingredients in the proper amounts, a sports drink could hinder instead of enhance performance. Upset stomach or poor absorption rate of the drink could occur from the wrong balance of ingredients.
A Variety of Color and Flavor Choices
If you think that the color of a sports drink does not make a difference, spend a few minutes at the snack bar at a Little League field. Children, and many adults, find the color choice very important. Color can invoke a mood such as a cool blue color giving the feel of thirst quenching mountain water or a hot red color invoking the image of energy. It may be psychological, but it is still important.
Those who drink sports drinks also have taste preferences, and with the variety of sports drinks offered today, there is a choice for every taste.
They Don't "Run Through" a Body as Quickly as Water
Water may quench thirst, but it doesn't replenish any of the lost electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals that sports drinks can. Although all of these things are lost during sweating, they can also be lost through urination. Water causes more frequent urination than sports drinks do. Therefore, sports drinks not only replenish these important electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, they also can help the body hold on to the ones they already have for a longer period of time.
The main ingredient in any sports drink is, of course, water. Water is important for re-hydration. The additional ingredients in sports drinks make them a better choice than water alone for athletes and others who exert a lot of energy and need to replenish the essential nutrients that have been quickly depleted in their bodies.
In the past, many athletes created their own energy/sports drinks. Some still do. However, a sports drink that has a proper balance of ingredients will be much more effective than a homemade version. Most commercial sports drinks have the correct balance of electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and liquids. Without the right mix of ingredients in the proper amounts, a sports drink could hinder instead of enhance performance. Upset stomach or poor absorption rate of the drink could occur from the wrong balance of ingredients.
A Variety of Color and Flavor Choices
If you think that the color of a sports drink does not make a difference, spend a few minutes at the snack bar at a Little League field. Children, and many adults, find the color choice very important. Color can invoke a mood such as a cool blue color giving the feel of thirst quenching mountain water or a hot red color invoking the image of energy. It may be psychological, but it is still important.
Those who drink sports drinks also have taste preferences, and with the variety of sports drinks offered today, there is a choice for every taste.
They Don't "Run Through" a Body as Quickly as Water
Water may quench thirst, but it doesn't replenish any of the lost electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals that sports drinks can. Although all of these things are lost during sweating, they can also be lost through urination. Water causes more frequent urination than sports drinks do. Therefore, sports drinks not only replenish these important electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, they also can help the body hold on to the ones they already have for a longer period of time.
The main ingredient in any sports drink is, of course, water. Water is important for re-hydration. The additional ingredients in sports drinks make them a better choice than water alone for athletes and others who exert a lot of energy and need to replenish the essential nutrients that have been quickly depleted in their bodies.
Woot Woot for Electrolytes
It has been 50 years since the sports drink was introduced to athletes in the United States. The first sports drink, Bengal Punch, was given to athletes at Louisiana State University in 1958. Gatorade, the most recognizable name in sports drinks, debuted the following decade at the University of Florida and revolutionized the way athletes energize and re-hydrate themselves during a sporting event.
Since then, other sports drinks similar to Gatorade have been introduced to the market, including Glaceau Vitamin Water and Vitalyte. These drinks are incredibly popular with adult and teen athletes, as well as beverage consumers in general.
The main ingredients that sports drinks contain which enhance athletic performance are electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Athletes can gain many benefits from sports drinks while they are physically active. Among the most important of these aspects are:
Replenishment of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that are naturally part of body fluids. When an athlete (or a gardener or a mail carrier or anyone else who engages in physical activity) sweats, electrolytes are lost through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore them as rapidly as they were lost. Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium, and potassium to help replenish what was lost through sweat. Introducing electrolytes back into the body helps keep dehydration from occurring. Dehydration can become a very serious problem if not attended to. Electrolytes help to increase the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.
A person who is exerting energy can quickly become dehydrated, in as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, it is suggested that athletes begin drinking a sports drink even before they start their activity.
Replenishment of Energy
Anyone who has ever exercised knows that fatigue can occur quickly. One of the reasons for this is that exercise increases metabolism, and when a person's metabolism is working overtime, it breaks down carbohydrates quickly. Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body.
By replacing lost carbohydrates, the body can continue to work efficiently and an athlete has more energy to complete their activity.
Replacement of Lost Vitamins and Minerals
The human body also draws energy from various vitamins and minerals only found in certain foods, beverages or supplements. Sports drinks contain these vitamins and minerals to help keep the body working efficiently during activity.
Since then, other sports drinks similar to Gatorade have been introduced to the market, including Glaceau Vitamin Water and Vitalyte. These drinks are incredibly popular with adult and teen athletes, as well as beverage consumers in general.
The main ingredients that sports drinks contain which enhance athletic performance are electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Athletes can gain many benefits from sports drinks while they are physically active. Among the most important of these aspects are:
Replenishment of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that are naturally part of body fluids. When an athlete (or a gardener or a mail carrier or anyone else who engages in physical activity) sweats, electrolytes are lost through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore them as rapidly as they were lost. Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium, and potassium to help replenish what was lost through sweat. Introducing electrolytes back into the body helps keep dehydration from occurring. Dehydration can become a very serious problem if not attended to. Electrolytes help to increase the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.
A person who is exerting energy can quickly become dehydrated, in as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, it is suggested that athletes begin drinking a sports drink even before they start their activity.
Replenishment of Energy
Anyone who has ever exercised knows that fatigue can occur quickly. One of the reasons for this is that exercise increases metabolism, and when a person's metabolism is working overtime, it breaks down carbohydrates quickly. Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body.
By replacing lost carbohydrates, the body can continue to work efficiently and an athlete has more energy to complete their activity.
Replacement of Lost Vitamins and Minerals
The human body also draws energy from various vitamins and minerals only found in certain foods, beverages or supplements. Sports drinks contain these vitamins and minerals to help keep the body working efficiently during activity.
How Do You Get Electrolytes?
How Do You Get Electrolytes?
In the "old" days people used to get their electrolytes from cooking down animal bones into soups and broths. Even though it's not a perfectly balanced way of getting electrolytes, electrolytes can be replaced this way.
Even though drinking a bone soup broth may be hard to swallow after a hard workout or during the summertime when soup really isn't on the menu, there are other ways (thanks to science) of getting the perfect balance that's VERY convenient.
Beware of Electrolyte Mixes!
I've seen powdered mixes of so called electrolytes. There are salt tablets, minerals, vitamins. None of these will replace and balance your electrolytes.
The essential minerals for electrolyte replacement drinks are: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Phosphorous and Sulfur.
Individually these electrolytes cannot provide CONDUCTIVITY necessary to transmit the electrical pulses that operate the nerves, muscles and heart! Together, in the proper ratio, they regulate the nervous system, muscle function, maintain the body's acid/alkaline balance and regulate the amount of water in body fluids and cells!
That's important stuff!
People have tried everything and will try just about anything. For the athletes reading this, Endurox and other mixes are not electrolyte replacement drinks. They are for recovery after training and while I use such formulas, I've never gotten the results that I've had with the Vitalyte.
In the "old" days people used to get their electrolytes from cooking down animal bones into soups and broths. Even though it's not a perfectly balanced way of getting electrolytes, electrolytes can be replaced this way.
Even though drinking a bone soup broth may be hard to swallow after a hard workout or during the summertime when soup really isn't on the menu, there are other ways (thanks to science) of getting the perfect balance that's VERY convenient.
Beware of Electrolyte Mixes!
I've seen powdered mixes of so called electrolytes. There are salt tablets, minerals, vitamins. None of these will replace and balance your electrolytes.
The essential minerals for electrolyte replacement drinks are: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Phosphorous and Sulfur.
Individually these electrolytes cannot provide CONDUCTIVITY necessary to transmit the electrical pulses that operate the nerves, muscles and heart! Together, in the proper ratio, they regulate the nervous system, muscle function, maintain the body's acid/alkaline balance and regulate the amount of water in body fluids and cells!
That's important stuff!
People have tried everything and will try just about anything. For the athletes reading this, Endurox and other mixes are not electrolyte replacement drinks. They are for recovery after training and while I use such formulas, I've never gotten the results that I've had with the Vitalyte.
Good Health = Electrolytes
Replace The Electrolytes You Use Everyday!
Not enough health advisers/practitioners talk about electrolytes and yet so many health issues can be resolved by keeping an electrolyte balance.
Electrolyte replacement is NOT just for athletes. It is critical for athletes but still imperative for everybody. Just about everyone is running around deficient in electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for active bodies...this means shopping, working, driving, sleeping...you're losing electrolytes all day and all night long.
Feeling Fatigued? There's A Good Chance It's Because You're Deficient In Electrolytes!
Electrolytes give the body the electrical charge that keeps the heart, muscles and nervous system working properly. Fatigue, heavy sweating (or not sweating at all), cold hands or feet and susceptibility to colds are sign of a really bad imbalance.
When your electrolytes are truly balanced, there are all types of little health nuances you may have that will just go away. Let's face it, we all have little health issues and we aren't sure what causes them. Anyone with any type of illness, disease or major health concern should start taking electrolytes immediately.
The Usual Misconceptions About Electrolytes!
Usually if someone feels dehydrated, they drink water or a sports drink. I used to do the same. Sports drinks provide carbohydrates, which are important for active people. Sports drinks have lots of glucose in them. Marathoners, endurance athletes, hikers and bikers crave quick energy when working, so it's easy to see why they would grab a sports drink.
Water dilutes electrolytes and creates a greater electrolyte imbalance. Drinking water is very important and honestly, most people don't drink enough. Drinking water unfortunately makes people with electrolyte imbalance worse off. Mineral water contains a variety of minerals that upsets electrolyte balance.
Not enough health advisers/practitioners talk about electrolytes and yet so many health issues can be resolved by keeping an electrolyte balance.
Electrolyte replacement is NOT just for athletes. It is critical for athletes but still imperative for everybody. Just about everyone is running around deficient in electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for active bodies...this means shopping, working, driving, sleeping...you're losing electrolytes all day and all night long.
Feeling Fatigued? There's A Good Chance It's Because You're Deficient In Electrolytes!
Electrolytes give the body the electrical charge that keeps the heart, muscles and nervous system working properly. Fatigue, heavy sweating (or not sweating at all), cold hands or feet and susceptibility to colds are sign of a really bad imbalance.
When your electrolytes are truly balanced, there are all types of little health nuances you may have that will just go away. Let's face it, we all have little health issues and we aren't sure what causes them. Anyone with any type of illness, disease or major health concern should start taking electrolytes immediately.
The Usual Misconceptions About Electrolytes!
Usually if someone feels dehydrated, they drink water or a sports drink. I used to do the same. Sports drinks provide carbohydrates, which are important for active people. Sports drinks have lots of glucose in them. Marathoners, endurance athletes, hikers and bikers crave quick energy when working, so it's easy to see why they would grab a sports drink.
Water dilutes electrolytes and creates a greater electrolyte imbalance. Drinking water is very important and honestly, most people don't drink enough. Drinking water unfortunately makes people with electrolyte imbalance worse off. Mineral water contains a variety of minerals that upsets electrolyte balance.
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