Staying Fit
We’re all led to believe that more is better when it comes to drinking water. If eight, 8-ounce glasses per day is the going recommendation, then surely you get bonus health benefits for each and every additional gulp above and beyond the standard 64 ounces — right?
Don’t be so sure.
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Recent reports of Brooke Shields suffering a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — formerly known as a grand mal seizure — after drinking “too much water” suggests more isn’t always better when it comes to hydrating.
“Adequate is always better,” says Stavros Kavouras, a professor of nutrition and director of the Hydration Science Lab at Arizona State University. The National Academy of Medicine recommends a total water intake of 3.7 liters per day for men and 2.7 liters per day for women. Since around 20 percent of our overall fluid needs are satisfied through the foods we eat, that comes out to around 12 glasses per day for men and eight for women.
Experts say that’s the amount needed to maintain blood pressure, body temperature and various other physiological functions. The kidneys take care of any excess fluid, excreting what the body doesn’t need through urine.
Take in more — substantially and dramatically more — fluid than your body needs or wants, and that’s when you run the risk of overhydration, also known as water intoxication.
“Overhydration disrupts this chain of events,” says Mike Ren, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “Consuming an excessive amount of fluids can result in an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes, particularly sodium, leading to a condition known as hyponatremia, which is characterized by low sodium levels in the blood. This can be dangerous and result in symptoms such as confusion, nausea and seizures." All of which Shields said she experienced.
Other complications of hyponatremia can include muscle cramps or weakness, lethargy and headache. If left untreated, it can lead to a coma, even death, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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