Bikram Yoga Decatur

This is a repost of something I wrote a couple years ago.

Since we're entering the season of high heat and humidity I thought it might be beneficial to talk a little about water and sweat.

The Purpose of Water in the Body
The body is approximately 60% water. The blood is mostly water and is used to distribute oxygen, nutrients, hormones and other substances to cells as well as remove metabolic byproducts (not toxins as is commonly thought). Water is used to cushion the spine and brain and acts as a kind of shock absorber to prevent injury. Water is a critical component of our body's cooling system (through evaporation of the sweat). The electrolyte components of water regulate nerve and muscle function, blood acid balance and the amount of fluid in our cells. The body regulates the levels of all substances such as minerals, trace elements and electrolytes and so some of these are naturally eliminated through the sweat and eliminatory systems.

The Purpose of Sweating
The primary purpose of sweating is to regulate body temperature. Sweat transfers heat from inside the body to the skin where it is released into the air through evaporation. The effect of vigorous exercise in a hot room is an increase in the amount of sweat which may therefore result in the elimination of more minerals and electrolytes -- simple dehydration. A healthy diet with plenty of water intake is sufficient for most people to maintain appropriate levels of electrolytes and minerals. How much water is plenty? A common sense determination is to drink until you're not thirsty. The more you sweat, the more you will need to replenish.

If excessive sweating leaves you feeling any of the following symptoms during or after class you should increase your daily water intake but you may also benefit from taking electrolyte supplements: excessive thirst, fatigue; headache; dry mouth (or sticky saliva); decreased urination; muscle weakness; dizziness. I favor the convenience of Emergen-C brand supplements but a good homemade solution is to mix a little sea salt and fresh lemon juice in a glass of water.

Sweat and Body Odor
Sweat itself has no odor. The odor from sweating results from the interaction of the sweat with bacteria that lives on the skin. Regular bathing with soap and water helps reduce the amount of bacteria in the skin and therefore may reduce or eliminate most body odors. A common odor in the sweat of some people who exercise vigorously is ammonia. Ammonia is a natural component of sweat but it's usually too dilute to be noticed. A strong ammonia odor may indicate a high protein diet in which case it might be wise to increase your dietary intake of low-glycemic carbohydrates such as fruits (most), legumes, whole grains, certain starchy vegetables (try eating an apple or a small amount of unsweetened oatmeal an hour before class). A very strong ammonia odor that persists over time could also indicate liver dysfunction in which case a visit to the doctor is advised.

Toxins is a Misnomer
When people speak of "toxins" being eliminated through the sweat they are -- whether they know it or not -- referring to natural byproducts of metabolism (primarily urea and lactic acid). These eliminated elements might be considered waste products but, by definition, they are not toxins. In a literal sense the only detoxification that happens in the body happens through the eliminatory system. In extreme cases of metal toxicity there are chelation drugs that can be used to remove the metal poisons. The way in which Bikram Yoga acts as a kind of "detoxification" process is to support our bodies natural systems and to assist in their optimal functionality. The best "detoxification program" is to maintain a healthful lifestyle including a healthy nutritious diet, minimizing intake of harmful substances such as caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, exercise regularly and reduce stress (before the fact when possible).