How to Hydrate

Struggling with lightheadedness, dizziness, and headaches last spring led me down a rabbit hole of tests and imaging that yielded nothing. My situation cut my sauna season short because I became immediately dizzy when I reclined in the sauna.  Eventually the dizziness, lightheadedness, and headaches subsided.  But, they came back early this month.  

I took a pause - and told myself let’s go back to the basics before we go back to the doctor.  I’m going to tell you what fixed it because this is where I want to raise your awareness.  Sometimes little things have a big impact - especially important to look at those little things when there is no clear pathology.
My answer was water with electrolytes.  I wrote in a jolie Weekend about LMNT - a high quality electrolyte mix.  I use them, but sometimes they drop off (and find their way into my children’s water bottles).

When it’s hot and we are sweating (sauna season and July in New Jersey) drinking is not enough.  Sweat depletes magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
Sodium is hydrophilic - it directs the flow of water you consume. Sodium outside your gut is necessary for water to be absorbed from the gut into your bloodstream.  Without adequate salt the water runs through you.

Potassium is also lost in sweat - it draws water from the bloodstream into the cells.  Without potassium, cells cannot hold onto water - you get tired, your muscles ache, you are dehydrated at the cellular level.

Think of magnesium as the water orchestra conductor: it transports sodium and potassium and regulates the balance of water inside and outside the cell - as long potassium and sodium are there to participate.

Now, I am drinking the same amount of water, but with amazingly different results, results that manifested within 48 hours- thank you electrolytes.
So if you are sweating, super tired, have muscle cramps, constipated, feel brain fog, achy muscles - do a deep rehydration.

Next week is the Glow Up Reset - we will be doing just that during the cleanse.  In addition to foods that are hydrating - you will have juices, a wonderful magnesium sleep supplement, and jolie approved electrolytes (beware - a lot of electrolytes are not great for you). 

So what did come out of all the testing was an iron transfusion - they are magical when you need them.  I have a blood trait that predisposes me to anemia.  If this is you - ask about an iron transfusion: so much better than iron pills!

with light,
​Julia