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Holistic Focus This Summer – Hydration

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D.
o many of you have experienced this: to thirst signals. Research shows that after 30 years of age, thirst
you juggle a million things and get it sensors in the brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland become less
Sall done. You live on takeout and Diet responsive. Factors like chronic stress and low intake of Omega-3
Coke or another diet soda – too busy to cook! fatty acids-found in foods like salmon and sardines – can further
Then all of a sudden, things start falling apart. impair those sensors. People with this type of moderate dehydration
You start forgetting things, gain weight and should drink about 8-9 cups of filtered tap or spring water daily.
feel fatigued despite getting enough sleep Mineral water is not a good option because it has too much salt
at night. Believe it or not, this is a common and electrolytes and that is not an issue here. Shortage of H2O is
presentation of mild dehydration in my office. what needs to be addressed ASAP though. If you are an athlete
“Dehydration?” you will protest. “How can who engages in rigorous physical exercise, consult with your doctor
that be? I am drinking tons of diet soda- regarding the use of sports drinks and electrolytes in your regimen.
isn’t it just a flavored seltzer?” The answer is: Not at all. It is well Dehydration can sneak up on you also when you are taking
established that most sodas have caffeine, which acts as a diuretic. antihistamine medications. Claritin (loratadine), Allegra
But Diet Coke and all other diet sodas pack a double whammy: (fexofenadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) work by suppressing the
they contain caffeine and zero calories sweeteners, and both act as action of histamines, inflammatory biochemical that produce
diuretics. symptoms like sneezing, itching, or watery eyes. Ironically,
Most common sweeteners like Aspartame, Splenda, and histamines normally also serve as a safeguard against dehydration.
NutraSweet, work like a magnet on water molecules, drawing If water intake dips, histamine levels rise slightly to slow fluid
fluid from the body’s cells. My advice to these folks complaining loss from the body. To stay optimally hydrated during allergy or
of a brain fog and tiredness: quit soda, drink 6-8 cups of filtered mosquito bite itchy season , use antihistamines only when needed,
tap or bottled spring water daily and balance your diet with fresh rather than automatically taking one every day.
fruits and vegetables as they are all high in water content. You will As you can see, the body can become dehydrated without even
feel the difference in your energy and concentration within 7-10 registering thirst. To avoid developing symptoms like fatigue, brain
days. And your extra pounds and bloatedness will be gone within fog, and body aches, it is important to sip water throughout the day,
a month. and especially in the summer. When spending time in outdoor heat,
Truth be told, dehydration is especially common in the summer take mini breaks to drink water in the shade. This will help cool the
and it comes in many “flavors” – brain fog and fatigue are just body and prevent sweating off too much water. Now that you are
some of the symptoms I frequently encounter in the office. I also equipped with more information, have a safe and healthy summer!
see many patients with constant joint and muscle aches. These
folks come in asking for arthritis and autoimmunity testing but Dr. Kogan is a Concierge Holistic Internal Medicine doctor in Naples.
after a careful evaluation, I often diagnose them with moderate Her website is CustomLongevity.com
dehydration. And for good reason: Aging desensitizes the brain

32 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022