Most people are dehydrated. Many people drink too much or too little water. Even with the right amount of water dehydration can result from too little or too much salt and the use of poor quality salt. Also, a deficiency of electrolytes, or an imbalance in electrolyte ratios, is very common and causes dehydration.

Some indicators of dehydration are high or low blood pressure, stress, use of caffeine and/or alcohol, inflammation, high or low cholesterol, an aversion to (or a dislike for) water or salt, unquenchable thirst, cravings for salty foods, absent or excessive sweating, a low salt diet, use of reversed osmosis or distilled water, and exposure to indoor heat and dry climates.

The need for water to hydrate is obvious. Bodies are over 60% water. However, water alone is usually not sufficient for hydration. Adequate intake of the right salt, as well as maintenance of the right amounts and ratios of electrolytes, is as essential as water.

Electrolytes are essential. The primary electrolytes in the body are sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sulfate (not sulphur) and phosphate (not phosphorous). Why are these electrolytes? When each of these electrolytes is dissolved in the body fluids they become ions. Ions are electrically charged, positively or negatively. What distinguishes electrolytes from other charged ions is the marked difference in their concentrations inside vs outside the cells. This difference in concentrations inside vs outside the cells creates a charge on cell membranes, making each cell a battery. The cell battery sustains the functions of the cell. One such cell function is the use of oxygen to ‘burn’ food to generate energy. In turn, the burning of food to generate energy charges the cell battery by actively maintaining the wide difference in the concentrations of the electrolytes inside vs outside the cell. In short, hydration is synonymous with cell function.

The Health Equations Electrolyte Formulas contain all six primary electrolytes. The quantities and ratios of the electrolytes in each of the three Formulas are very specific. The quantities and ratios are designed to restore the charge on the cell membrane. The most appropriate Formula for an individual can be determined by the Health Equations Evaluation of a readily accessible and inexpensive blood test. The blood test can be ordered online by any individual. In the absence of this Evaluation use the General Guidelines given below.

Why use salt in addition to an Electrolyte Formula? Why use Celtic Sea Salt in particular? First, Celtic Salt is not processed. It has neither chemical residues from processing nor other additives. Further, processing removes minerals from salt. Celtic Salt contains all the trace minerals. Celtic Salt is gray. Minerals and colloids (primarily organic acids) are responsible for the gray color. The naturally occurring colloids enhance mineral absorption. There is much more value in the small amounts of readily assimilated minerals in Celtic Salt compared to the larger amounts in supplemental inorganic isolated or combined minerals. In short, commercial salts are sodium chloride. Sodium chloride by itself is a chemical. Celtic Salt is food!

Celtic Salt brings out the taste of food. Taste, as opposed to the dictates of the latest diets and food fads, is the surest ally for the selection of healthy food. Taste likewise regulates a healthy quantity of food consumption.

Celtic Salt also provides much needed sodium and chloride. Most people are sodium and/or chloride deficient. These deficiencies not only occur as a result of low salt diets and from use of the chemical called salt. Chloride deficiency occurs as a result of heavy sweating and a high cholesterol, cortisol and/or triglycerides. Sodium deficiency can also result from heavy sweating as well as from inflammation and adrenal fatigue or exhaustion.

How much Celtic Salt is the right amount? Again, rely on taste. Different people need different amounts and each person needs different amounts at different times. ‘Prescribed’ ‘generic’ amounts of any food, nutrient or salt will result in imbalances in the body chemistry. Taste indicates what is needed, how much is needed and when it is needed. For further discussion see Water and Salt.

Is Celtic Salt dissolved in water an electrolyte? Yes, water becomes an electrolyte if there are any salts and minerals dissolved in it, even small amounts. Simply put, electrolytes conduct electricity whereas water absent of all dissolved salts and minerals does not. However, Celtic salt dissolved in water does not charge the cell battery as described above and therefore cannot perform all the functions of the Health Equations Electrolyte Formulas. The ratios of potassium, magnesium, phosphates and sulfates to sodium and chloride in Celtic Salt are very low, well below the cells’ requirements to charge the cell batteries. Moreover, too much sodium and chloride without the required ratios of the other four electrolytes could result in an electrolyte imbalance and sooner or later dehydration.

General Guidelines for selecting one of the three HEQ Formulas:
Lyte CL is designed for athletes and individuals with high cholesterol.
Lyte K is designed for hypertension and heart disease.
Lyte Solution is for everyone else.

A word of caution: The Health Equation Electrolyte Formulas should not be used if there is kidney disease and should only be used under supervision if there is edema, other fluid accumulation or serious medical conditions.

HEQ Lyte, Lyte CL and Lyte K Solutions are available as 16 oz Concentrates.

© Health Equations 2008

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