The mitochondria, or the powerhouse of the cells, are like a motor that makes the cell function. The cell can't function properly without the proper fuel supply, namely hydrogen molecules (from water) and electrolytes (sodium and potassium).
Despite the concept we've heard all our lives about drinking lots of water, the fact is that it doesn't matter how much water one consumes.
Without the proper amount of electrolytes, water is less likely absorbed by the cells but rather linger between cell walls, in the blood, and the plasma.
Why is cellular hydration so important?
Water is one of the body's great defenses against inflammation. Optimally hydrated cells mean your chances of fighting and reducing inflammation increase.
How? Our bodies are constantly making waste in the form of free radicals produced from stress (emotional and physical) and outside influences in the form of environmental toxins.
By using hydrogen from water and electrolytes to power and detoxify the cells and, therefore, the whole body, our cells act as mini trash disposal units. The hydrogen in water helps to eliminate free radicals.
For instance, this study shows that participants who drank hydrogen-rich water had a 39 percent boost in antioxidant ability. Hydrogen-rich water also reduces the incidence of apoptosis or cellular death, as this 2020 study shows.
Dehydration may correlate to such autoimmune diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and asthma.
How to Measure your Cellular Hydration Levels
You can measure your cellular hydration level by doing a phase angle test with a tool called a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) machine. Since our bodies are excellent conductors of electricity, phase angle tests measure how well your body's cells transmit electrical signals.
Most people will have a reading of about six on a scale of 1-10. A score of ten indicates that your cells are properly hydrated and in perfect shape. A score of an eight or nine suggests that your body is adequately hydrated.
The average score for a healthy person is around five to seven.
How to Obtain Cellular Hydration
As previously mentioned, drinking the right amount of water is excellent and ideal for optimal cellular health. Unless electrolytes are in the water, chances are slim that cells will attack and pull in the amount of water necessary to obtain hydration.
What to Do to Boost Cellular hydration
Add Electrolytes to Water – Electrolytes are vital to ensuring proper hydration on a cellular level because they help cells attract water. Once inside the cells, hydrogen is used to make energy.
"Your electrolyte balance needs to be at homeostasis. It needs to retain a certain amount of sodium, potassium, magnesium, [and] a certain amount of glucose," says Angela A. Stanton, Ph.D., and author of several books.
Stanton advises individuals to drink water with a bit of sea salt to boost cellular hydration. But she warns against using Himalayan salt because, as she says, it is full of heavy metals like lead and mercury.
Energy Grounding (Earthing) – Have you noticed how much better you feel physically and emotionally after walking barefoot on the beach or going barefoot in your backyard? That's the earthing or grounding effect you're experiencing. Some studies suggest that the earth is rich in properties that can have anti-inflammatory benefits for the body.
According to this article, grounding helps to rewire the body's electrical system. As we mentioned before, electricity is needed to help cells communicate with one another. Grounding or earthing mats are a great alternative if you don't have a backyard or live near the beach.
What not to do to boost cellular hydration
No Low-Quality Water – Staying hydrated means consuming adequate amounts of quality water. If you're drinking unfiltered tap water, then you must know that you can be severely compromising your health. Your tap water could contain hundreds of contaminants like lead, mercury, and fluoride, depending on your location.
Think about how much more complex your kidneys (your body's primary filtering system) will have to work to eliminate toxic material just so your body can stay hydrated.
Dr. Stanton recommends pure filtered water or well water. As these types of water have minerals. She advises against drinking alkaline water or hydrogen water or reverse osmosis water as these types of water are devoid of healthy minerals and, thereby, electrolytes.
Lower Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields – We're talking about anything with an electromagnetic pulse, such as televisions, microwaves, and cell phones.
Electromagnetic fields (EFTs) can harm electrical signals in your body, according to this study, and prevent cells from communicating with each other. Each cell is surrounded and protected by a membrane that creates a barrier against what lies outside of the cell. The membrane also allows for electrical communications between cells.
Unfortunately, EFTs can damage cell membranes and prevent communications and hinder cellular hydration.
But Dr. Stanton offers a different perspective. Although she thinks some people with high levels of lead and mercury or other types of heavy metals may be bothered by electromagnetic fields, she says it's rare that electromagnetic fields from cell phones, microwaves, etc., can cause a disruption to cellular hydration.
"Probably 99% of the population is not going to be disturbed by electrical fields or 5G or being under electrical wires," says Stanton.
You probably have a close electronic companion that accompanies you virtually all hours of the day. Unfortunately, your friend may be ruining your chances of achieving peak cellular hydration and overall health. Find ways to limit your exposure to electronic devices. Start by keeping your devices outside of the bedroom at bedtime.
At Hyduro we are backed by science and know that staying healthy and hydrated can be a bit challenging at times. The PÜL® App and The PÜL® SmartCap™ have been carefully designed with a specific algorithm in mind to quantify and report longitudinal hydration and real-time hydration status. With the power of these two amazing hydration tools your cellular hydration health is bound to be excellent. Be sure to utilize our infographic to share what you've learned today! Join us in our journey to #LiveHydrated by purchasing your PÜL SmartCap today!
Resources:
Pahwa R, Goyal A, Bansal P, et al. Chronic Inflammation. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 January. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173
Sim, M., Kim, CS., Shon, WJ. et al. Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Sci Rep 10, 12130 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68930-2
Nakao, Atsunori et al. “Effectiveness of hydrogen rich water on antioxidant status of subjects with potential metabolic syndrome-an open label pilot study.” Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition vol. 46,2 (2010): 140-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831093/
Lockett, Elessha. "Grounding: Exploring Earthing Science and the Benefits Behind It." Healthline. (August 30, 2019) https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding
Karipidis, K., Mate, R., Urban, D. et al. 5G mobile networks and health—a state-of-the-science review of the research into low-level RF fields above 6 GHz. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 31, 585–605 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-021-00297-6
Telephone Interview with Angela A. Stanton, PhD. Founder of the Stanton Migraine Protocol. Author of "Fighting the Migraine Epidemic: Complete Guide. How to Treat and Prevent Migraines without Medicines." August 17, 2021.