When water isn’t enough

For years the message was simple: drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated. While still important, we now understand hydration is not just about volume. It’s about movement.

Hydration depends on having the right balance of minerals inside and outside your cells, so water moves where it is needed. Without them, water can pass through the body without fully hydrating the tissues. You can be drinking plenty and still not be truly hydrated.

As we age, maintaining that mineral balance becomes more difficult. Thirst signals are not always reliable, and kidney function shifts over time. Many people also take medications that can increase mineral loss. Finally, the typical diet tends to be high in sodium and relatively low in potassium, further adding to an imbalance.

When this balance is off, it can show up in subtle ways like fatigue, muscle tightness, or that washed-out feeling even when you are drinking enough water. In those cases, adding electrolytes may help.

But not all electrolyte formulas are designed the same.

Many electrolyte products were designed for heavy sweating, so they emphasize sodium. That makes sense after a long workout, but for most people, the issue is often too little potassium, not too little sodium. In that case, a high-sodium electrolyte may not be the best fit.

The product I take is Hydration+ from Great Naturally. It provides 800 mg of potassium along with magnesium, calcium, and moderate sodium from whole food ingredients like coconut water and celery. I mix one serving in water daily. To learn more, please stop in.

Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store, located at 9243 W. Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. Call 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com for more information.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.