Updated 2/7/2021 OK, so I am going to keep this simple, because there is so much more to what is in sweat, and who sweats what. Some people sweat way more than other people, some without even trying hard. However, as a basic information tool, here is a question. Do you know what is in sweat? I think most people assume when they sweat they are losing large amounts of Electrolytes. This is apparently not completely true. The main purpose of sweat is to regulate our body temperatures, and therefore sweating is very important. The short video below is from a deodorant company, but it explains why we sweat in a very simple way. For a longer and more complex explanation of sweat, I promise it is interesting, see the second video. Check out my Walking Buddy Health Plan.
In a very basic way, from least to most this is what sweat is comprised of: Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bicarb, Ammonia, Sulfate, Lactate, Amino Acids, those are all in very , very small amounts. Sodium, Chloride and Water are the three biggest things contained in sweat.
Now that doesn’t mean go off your Sodium restricted diet, because you sweat, but if you have CKD, like me, you can see where sweating, through moderate exercise, may help aid the kidneys in getting rid of some excess Sodium. If you are not having an excess of Sodium, say your blood levels of Sodium are low, than in the reverse you need to talk to your doctor about normalizing your Sodium, and Chloride levels. Having a low blood Sodium level can be very dangerous, and should not be taken lightly. Over exercising, or drinking too much water, can cause your Sodium levels to decrease. That is why it is so important to be aware of your body, any unusual symptoms, and work with your Health Care provider to be sure you are getting the right amount of exercise. Not too much, and definitely not too little. If you have kidney disease, you should have your Labs checked at least yearly, and maybe more if needed. I do mine every 6 months. When I was first diagnosed I had to go every 2 weeks. Most Americans consume way too much Sodium, even when trying to restrict the amount in their diet. However, in other cultures, Sodium is not necessarily increased in the diet. If you are sedentary, especially with a Chronic Illness, always talk to your doctor about exercise, before you begin. If you are sweating a lot, you need to maintain hydration, so as not to get dehydrated.
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