29. Balance your electrolytes
When people talk about fluid balance, what exactly do they mean? Are they merely carrying on about the amount of water that you are drinking or are they talking about the actual balance of fluids that exists both in and out of your cells? Unsurprisingly, they are talking about the latter. Fluid balance is not just about water intake. It is also about the consumption of electrolytes that work to maintain the balance of fluids in the body.
The balance between electrolytes and water is very delicate, and if not kept in check then a person will certainly suffer from either excessive water retention or dehydration. There is not, however, a one size fits all solution when it comes to water and electrolyte intake. Instead, it all depends on the individual. If you are drinking a lot of water, then you need to make sure that you are getting enough electrolytes. If you are not drinking enough water, then your electrolyte intake needs to match this if you are to avoid excessive water retention.