Proper water balance in the body is crucial for health. When the body is dehydrated, it stops functioning correctly, and the processes occurring within our body are disrupted. It is important to realize that an excess of water is also an unfavorable phenomenon. With this in mind, it is worthwhile to regularly monitor fluid intake. How to check your body's water level? You will find the answer below.
Water is essential for life. This compound determines the proper course of metabolic processes, influences thermoregulation, is responsible for nutrient transport, and enables the body to cleanse itself of by-products of metabolism and toxins from the external environment. And these are just a few items from a long list of processes for which water is responsible. No wonder that when the fluid balance is disturbed, the body clearly signals it. Many symptoms indicate dehydration or fluid retention. The point is that most of them are non-specific, meaning they can be typical of many conditions and diseases. Therefore, it is worth performing simple tests that will clearly indicate whether the water balance has been disturbed.
How to check your body's water level?
The color of your urine tells a lot about your body's hydration status. Under ideal conditions, it should be straw-colored. Such a color indicates an ideal volume of fluids consumed. If it takes on a slightly darker color, the body is telling us that we should slightly increase the volume of water we drink, but a light yellow color still does not indicate any abnormalities. Dark yellow or amber urine clearly indicates a lack of fluids in the body. Light brown or dark orange urine, on the other hand, is a symptom of dehydration. If the urine is almost transparent, it means that the volume of fluids consumed should be slightly reduced.
The condition of our skin also tells a lot about the fluid level in our body. To determine if we are properly hydrating our body, simply pinch the skin on the back of your hand, hold for a few seconds, and release. Under normal conditions, the skin should almost immediately return to its original shape. If the indentation persists, dehydration has most likely occurred.
How to check for excess water in the body?
Too little fluid intake can lead to water retention in the body. This is a natural defense mechanism that prevents dehydration. This condition can be indicated by swelling, especially around the ankles, feet, fingers, face, and eyelids. To find out if the problem is indeed related to fluid retention, simply gently press the swollen skin. If the indentation persists for a few seconds, you most likely have excess water.
How to check for excess water in the body in a more professional way? Bioimpedance body composition analysis can help. The test is performed using a special device that sends a low-intensity electrical impulse (the test is completely painless) and on this basis determines the percentage of muscle tissue, fat, bone, and water in body mass. The test can be performed by a dietitian and some doctors, but professional fitness clubs and gyms also have the appropriate equipment. Modern bathroom scales are also equipped with a body measurement function.
What about laboratory tests? Tests that are worth performing to determine fluid levels in the body include:
- complete blood count (hematocrit is the parameter determining the degree of hydration based on plasma volume),
- ionogram (determination of basic electrolyte concentrations),
- total protein test.
However, it should be remembered that the interpretation of results should be performed by a doctor, based on the patient's general condition.
How to prevent fluid retention in the body?
If the performed tests have shown that water retention has occurred in the body, it is worth reaching for dietary supplements that will help solve this problem. We are talking about the eatyx HYPER DETOX 360 preparation, whose ingredients support the detoxification of the body and the removal of water stagnation. The preparation is based, among other things, on plant extracts with diuretic properties.
How to prevent such a condition from occurring in the future? A change in eating habits is crucial for prevention. Highly processed products, rich in salt and saturated fats, should disappear from the menu. Even if there is no time to prepare properly balanced meals, fast food should be avoided. For busy people, quick ready meals, balanced to meet the requirements of healthy eating, can help maintain a healthy diet. We are not referring to deli products here.
Even people on a proper diet should supplement key micronutrients, especially those that affect the body's water management and fluid retention: zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6. These ingredients, among others, are contained in the eatyx HYPER VITAMINS AND MINERALS + PROBIOTICS, which was developed specifically to improve the body's vitality.
Proper hydration and regular physical activity are also of great importance in prevention. These are issues that cannot be underestimated.
