How can too much water be a bad thing? Imagine a glass of salt water. Now spill out half the contents of that imaginary glass and replace it with tap water. The glass ends up with the same amount of water but only half the salt as before. The solution is diluted and weak. Similarly, if an athlete drinks too much water but does not replenish her sodium loss, she risks developing hyponatremia. 

  Symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, slurred speech and confusion. Athletes experiencing these symptoms might believe they are suffering from dehydration and begin gulping down water like crazy. But water alone will only amplify the problem of hyponatremia, which at its most extreme may lead to seizures, coma, or death. 

  At the first sign of nausea, muscle cramps or disorientation, an athlete should drink a sodium containing sports drink or eat salty foods. 

  Keys to avoiding hyponatremia include: 

•    Using a sodium containing sports drinks during long distance, high  intensity events. 
•   Eating salty foods before and during such events if possible. 
•   Weighing oneself before and after training and drink enough sodium based sports drink to offset any fluid loss during exercise 
•   Avoid use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal  anti-inflammatory agents as they may increase the risk of hyponatremia in athletes. 

  A recommendation of approximately 1 gram of sodium per hour of high intensity exercise works as a general guideline. However, each athlete reacts differently to exercise; fluid and sodium needs will vary 
  accordingly. As always, it is important to consult your physician for special considerations if you have a history of any health problems or are taking any medication for a health condition. 

  What else can salt do for you? According to the book: "Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life" by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj: 

   1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water.  Naturally the proportions are critical. 
  2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells. 
  3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics. 
  4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in the body. 
  5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing. 
  6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract. 
  7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis. 
  8. Salt is vital for clearing up congestion of the sinuses. 
  9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine. 
  10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps. 
  11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production. 
  12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm. Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage in the body. 
  13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic. 
  14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics. 
  15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs. 
  16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis. 
  17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido. 
  18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs. 
  19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing nerve cells. 
  20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. 
  21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs. 

  Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous. Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system.  It is implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease. 
 

  Sources 

  Sodium Needs for Athletes 
  http://sportsmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa030101a.htm 

  Salt Institute 
  http://www.saltinstitute.org/28.html 

  Princeton University 
  Outdoor Action Guide to Heat-Related Illnesses & Fluid Balance 
  by Rick Curtis 
  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs5/nj98004.html 

  Salt and the Ultraendurance Athlete 
  http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/salt.html 

  Wilderness Survival: First Aid and Health 
  http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/survival/first.htm 

  Interesting Facts about Water and Salt 
  http://www.watercure2.com/interesting_facts.htm 

  Gatorade Sports Science Institute 
 
 

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