Heat Regulating Supplements to Beat the Scorching Summer Heat

Many folks look forward to the warm weather of summer and all the wonderful activities that come with it. But the warmer temperatures can take a toll on your body if you are not careful. You can dehydrate or overheat easily on a hot day, and heat-related illnesses can become very serious, or even fatal. There are many ways to stay cool, but heat regulating supplements can play a significant role in helping your body maintain homeostasis when the temperatures climb this summer.

Why You Need Electrolytes to Maintain Hydration

Electrolytes help to restore fluid balance when you are dehydrated. When you sweat, you lose water. And as such, electrolytes get lost in the sweat. Dehydration causes bodily tissues to dry out and cells to shrink. As a result, this prevents the body from functioning at an optimal level.

Electrolytes are specific micronutrients that help maintain electrical neutrality in cells and generate, as well as stimulate, action in the nerves and muscles so they can function. Electrolytes naturally occur in soil and are present in food sources and water. Significant electrolytes include bicarbonates, calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and phosphate.

It’s important to note that electrolytes do not directly hydrate your body. However, particular electrolytes can indirectly facilitate faster hydration. When the electrolytes sodium and glucose (sugar) are present in your gastrointestinal tract and are mixed with water, this activates the sodium-glucose cotransporter. Research suggests that this formula supports rapid hydration. In so doing, electrolytes support water passing through the body's cells and direct water to the parts of the body with the greatest need. As such, electrolytes help to maintain optimal fluid balance within your cells and throughout your body.

Electrolytes help to prevent dehydration by quickly restoring fluid balance, particularly sodium. When you have adequate amounts of water and electrolytes in your body, you’ll stay hydrated. If you are suffering from dehydration, although it contains trace amounts of electrolytes, water alone is inadequate to restore the electrolytes lost. This is why heat regulating supplements typically contain electrolytes - to support rehydration.

Role of Heat Regulating Supplements in Replenishing Electrolytes

Trace amounts of electrolytes in tap water are inadequate for the body’s needs. However, hydration supplements, such as electrolyte powders, provide higher doses of these essential minerals. Supplements that contain the right blend of electrolytes in sufficient quantities can help support hydration status. Electrolytes with sodium, for instance, may stimulate thirst and prompt you to drink more water. According to research findings published in the journal Applied Sciences, the intake of electrolyte water is more effective than the intake of regular water in preventing a decrease in body weight through sweat and a loss of serum electrolytes.

Regulating Your Body Temperature During Summer Heat

Your body plays an important role in keeping you cool. Warm outside temperatures can impact your internal core temperature. Your body works to maintain a balance between heat gain and heat loss. This is why individuals with chronic conditions have an increased risk of experiencing heat exhaustion.

Both the hypothalamus and the skin support the body’s temperature gauge. The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain that acts as the command center for your bodily functions. It’s responsible for the direct coordination of the autonomic nervous system and produces hormones that regulate body temperature. Through its many components, like sweat glands and blood vessels, the skin heats and cools the body. Specifically, when your body temperature climbs, your body will instinctively perspire, releasing water and electrolytes from your sweat glands to help cool down your body.

For people with Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), the non-Addison's form of adrenal dysfunction, where your body's stress response is unable to keep up with life's chronic stressors, the heat is a stressor that can cause worsening symptoms. It interferes with the ability of the hypothalamus to respond to changes in temperature by compromising the feedback loops necessary for it to function normally and regulate temperature. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are some of the mechanisms at work. The latter can trigger salt cravings. To help resolve this, heat regulating supplements could be beneficial to maintaining hydration and replenishing vital nutrients. However, first, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

Do You Have Heat Intolerance?

According to an article in the journal Medicina, heat intolerance involves an individual's ability to tolerate heat stress and an inability to maintain thermal balance when spending time in a hot environment. In simple terms, this occurs when your body and skin are hypersensitive to an increase in temperature.

You may experience the feeling of overwhelming heat that comes on quickly lasting for just a few minutes. However, this feeling can also happen gradually and heat discomfort can remain for much longer. As mentioned earlier, electrolytes can help maintain hydration, but other supplements can also help.

Heat Regulating Supplements That Can Help Manage Heat Intolerance

If you struggle with keeping cool when the temperature is warm outside, some heat regulating supplements may give you relief on hot summer days.  However, do note that it is always safest to these vitamins and minerals through food first. Also, always talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement, particularly if you have other health conditions or take medication.

To increase heat tolerance and improve symptoms of heat intolerance, you can try the following:

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is responsible for performing several bodily functions, including protein synthesis along with regulating nerve function, muscle function, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. If you have heat intolerance, you may experience excessive sweating, and this could potentially reduce magnesium levels in the body. Magnesium is also believed to play a role in regulating body temperature.

Mag Three is a proprietary blend of magnesium that combines three forms of magnesium to support cellular and metabolic health, muscle activity, cardiovascular function, bowel mobility, and healthy cognition. It also promotes relaxation, boosts sleep quality, and calms the mind and body.

Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte mineral that plays a role in helping your body maintain both normal fluid and blood volume. When you are exposed to too much heat and sweat excessively, dehydration can occur, and this has the potential to reduce potassium levels in your body. Remember to speak with your doctor before taking potassium heat regulating supplements, however, since taking too much could be dangerous, especially when taking certain medications or if you have kidney disease.

Omega-3

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids that research suggests can help minimize inflammation and support nerve health. As such, omega-3 supplementation could be beneficial to people who are affected by heat intolerance.

Liquid OM-3 is a pure and potent source of Omega-3. These essential fatty acids support heart health, cognitive function, and overall wellness. It has the potential to help with temperature regulation during the hot season.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help support your body so that it can better handle high temperatures, especially on a hot summer day. Research also suggests that ascorbic acid, a form of this vitamin, may reduce the physiological responses to heat stress. Also, ascorbic acid has been shown to mitigate the effects of heat stress and prevent burnout in warmer temperatures.

Vitamin B12

B12 may help with the symptoms of heat intolerance or its underlying cause. It is also helpful for metabolism within the body, including processes that involve energy generation and use, such as temperature regulation.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 that helps your body produce new blood cells. It's commonly used in preventing and managing low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency) and high levels of homocysteine in the blood. Research suggests that folic acid supplements can improve cutaneous microvascular function, and in turn, this can help maintain body temperature.

Adrenal Stress Control

Adrenal Stress Control is a supplement formula with a special matrix of nutrients. This blend includes prebiotics, amino acids, vitamins, and immune-enhancing nutrients, that deliver anabolic support to rebuild and rejuvenate the adrenal and cardiovascular collagen network. Additionally, Adrenal Stress Control supports healthier adrenals. Extreme heat can cause stress that can deplete adrenal health, particularly when they are already weakened.

Additional Tips to Stay Cool Aside from Taking Heat Regulating Supplements

Beyond supplements there are several ways to stay cool and avoid heat stress. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends the following tips to help you stay cool this summer:

• Remain inside buildings where air conditioning is available to keep you cool.
• Drink more fluids, including water and electrolyte drinks, and avoid waiting until you feel thirsty to do so.
• Don’t make fans your main cooling device to beat extreme heat because they may be inadequate.
• Do your best to avoid using your stove or oven since they can contribute to rising house temperatures.
• Minimize the amount of time you spend outside during the hottest time of the day.
• Pace yourself as you carry out activities by starting slowly and then gradually increasing your pace.
• Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and sunscreen.
• Schedule activities earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler.

In addition, you can also consider some of the following suggestions.

• Consider wearing cooling vests and neck wraps when exercising or doing activities outdoors.
• Enjoy cool baths and showers.
• Avoid consuming alcohol in the hot weather.
• If possible, exercise in a cool environment or pool.
• Eat cooling foods, like watermelon, cucumber, avocado, coconut water, and fresh vegetables.

How to Avoid Heat Related Illnesses and Reduce Body Heat

Once you are already too warm, you are at risk for heat related illnesses. These illnesses are the result of extreme heat raising your body’s core temperature. This jump in temperature can range from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms of the condition may include:

• dizziness
• excessive sweating
• nausea
• confusion
• rapid breathing
• weak pulse

Factors That Can Cause Your Temperature to Rise

Besides hot weather, other factors could increase your body’s temperature. These include:

• Tight-fitting, dark-colored clothing, especially those made of synthetic fabrics such as spandex or nylon. These absorb heat and/or trap moisture and, as such, prevent your body from cooling down.
• Hot showers. The longer you shower under hot water, the greater its impact on your body.
• Consuming hot food or drink on hot summer days.
• Alcohol consumption can affect your body's ability to regulate its temperature.
• Certain drugs like antibiotics, antihistamines, and beta blockers can cause high body temperatures.
• Age, weight gain, obesity, pregnancy, and stress can also affect your ability to cool off.

Ways to Reduce Body Heat Aside From Taking Heat Regulating Supplements

Consider these tips on how to reduce body heat:

• Get inside if you can when it's too hot, or take breaks to rest in the shade.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated as you lose fluids and electrolytes.
• Bring your temperature down with a cool bath, compress, or foot bath.
• Wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing in breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen.

See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of heat related illness and your symptoms do not improve.

The Takeaway

Heat related illness can affect anyone, but you are especially at risk if you have heat intolerance. First, take steps to stay cool by wearing breathable clothes, staying hydrated, limiting exposure to the heat, and cooling your body down. Be sure to drink plenty of water and consume foods high in electrolytes like magnesium and potassium. Then, consider heat regulating supplements with ingredients such as magnesium, potassium, omega-3, vitamin C, folic acid, and B12 to help your body deal with the heat this summer. For more information about Dr. Lam's supplements, like Adrenal Stress Control and Mag Three, and how they can help you in the heat, reach out directly at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a free initial call.