We all know water is essential for life, but did you know hydration is more than just drinking water? The human body is made up of 55-70% water, with 90% of the lungs, 70% of the brain, and 83% of the blood composed of water. Proper hydration is key to keeping your systems running smoothly, supporting the immune system, and flushing out toxins. Without it, you could only survive 3-5 days!
But here’s the thing—drinking water alone isn’t enough. According to Ayurvedic practitioner DeAnna Batdorff, true hydration relies on a three-part system that ensures water actually reaches your tissues and doesn’t just pass right through you.
This Trine of Hydration works to optimize water absorption, so your body stays balanced and nourished at a deep level. Let's dive into how it works!
The Trine of Hydration: More Than Just Drinking Water
Hydration isn’t just about drinking enough water—it’s about absorbing and using it effectively. The body needs more than water alone to stay hydrated at a deep, cellular level. According to Ayurvedic wisdom, true hydration depends on three key components:
✅ Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) – Help hold water in the body and strengthen cell walls, keeping tissues hydrated.
✅ Electrolytes – Balance fluids, support the kidneys, and regulate nerve and muscle function.
✅ Probiotics – Maintain a healthy gut lining, which aids in digesting and absorbing nutrients and water.
Together, these three elements create what’s known as the Trine of Hydration, working in synergy to maximize water absorption, maintain fluid balance, and keep your body properly nourished.
Think of Your Body Like a Dry Plant...
If you’ve ever tried to water bone-dry soil, you’ve seen how the water runs right through instead of soaking in. The human body is similar—without the right hydration balance, water won’t be effectively absorbed. The Trine of Hydration prepares and sustains your system so water is held, absorbed, and used efficiently.
Breaking Down the Trine of Hydration
🌿 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) – Once dismissed as “fat,” EFAs are crucial for hydration, cellular health, and brain function. After years of fat being demonized, we now understand its vital role in health.
🧂 Electrolytes – Traditionally found in natural salts, electrolytes help maintain proper fluid balance and support the kidneys, nerves, and muscles. While processed table salt lacks these benefits, unrefined salt is an essential hydration tool.
🦠 Probiotics – Formerly referred to as mucus (which, understandably, didn’t sound appealing), probiotics are the good bacteria that keep digestion running smoothly and help break down food for proper nutrient and water absorption.
These three elements work together to ensure water reaches every part of your body that needs it. Without them, hydration is incomplete.
Let us dive a little deeper with each, shall we......
ONE: The Anti-Aging Secret: Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) + Hydration
While oil and water don’t naturally mix, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) play a key role in holding water in the body. They strengthen cell walls, allowing water to stay within the cells, keeping tissues hydrated, resilient, and youthful.
When EFAs are present, cells remain plump, skin stays supple, hair is healthy, and joints stay lubricated. But when the body is dehydrated and lacking EFAs, cells flatten and weaken, accelerating aging and tissue degeneration.
Why EFAs Matter for Hydration & Longevity
🔹 Cell Structure & Hydration – Strengthens cell membranes to hold water.
🔹 Skin, Hair & Nails – Keeps them nourished, preventing dryness and premature
aging.
🔹 Brain & Nerve Function – Supports cognitive health, mood balance, and mental
clarity.
🔹 Hormone Production – Crucial for emotional stability and metabolic function.
Good Fats vs. Bad Fats
Not all fats are created equal. Understanding the difference between healthy EFAs and damaging fats is key to optimizing hydration, longevity, and overall well-being.
Saturated Fats – (Solid at room temp, hardens when chilled)
✔️ We need 5% daily for brain function, mobility, and skin health.
✔️ Sources: Grass-fed beef, mutton, pork, ghee, raw dairy, butter, coconut oil, palm oil, roasted nuts, cocoa, shea butter.
❌ Avoid: Hydrogenated fats (margarine, processed oils) – artificially altered fats that harm the body.
Monounsaturated Fats (Omega 6 & 9) – (Liquid at room temp, solid when chilled)
✔️ Supports heart health, inflammation reduction, and skin hydration.
✔️ Sources: Olive oil, avocado oil, almond oil, cashew oil, pecan oil, hazelnut oil, coconut oil, palm oil.
Polyunsaturated Fats (Omega 6 Family) – Liquid at all temperatures
✔️ Helps digest saturated fats, supports metabolism, and reduces inflammation.
✔️ Sources: Sunflower oil, safflower oil, hemp oil, soy oil, pumpkin seed oil, sesame oil, flax oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, black currant, raw dairy, eggs, seaweed.
Super Unsaturated EFAs (Most Digestible Omega 6 Fats)
✔️ We need 15% daily for hormone balance, cell repair, and emotional stability.
✔️ Sources: Chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, grapeseed oil, walnuts, dark leafy greens, and cold-water fish (salmon, trout, tuna, anchovies).
Hydration + EFAs = The Ultimate Anti-Aging Strategy
When EFAs are balanced in the diet, water stays in the cells, skin glows, tissues remain strong, and the body functions at its best. The higher the Omega number (3, 6, 7, 9), the more oxygen is present, making them anti-inflammatory and deeply hydrating.
💡 Pro Tip:
For hydration & skin health, aim for a variety of Omega-rich foods daily.
For inflammation & hormone balance, increase Omega 3s from fish and seeds.
For energy & metabolism support, ensure enough Omega 6 & 9 fats.
👉 The secret to longevity isn’t just drinking water—it’s making sure your body can hold onto it! EFAs are the key to deep cellular hydration and healthy aging. 💦
Two: Love Your Gut Bugs: Probiotics + Hydration
Your gut is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria that support digestion, absorption, and overall health. These microorganisms break down food, extract nutrients, and help transport them throughout the body. Without them, digestion would be inefficient, and your body wouldn’t absorb what it needs.
Even if you chew your food well, most of it still isn’t in a form your body can absorb when it reaches the stomach. This is where your gut bacteria step in to “digest” food for you, turning it into a bioavailable form that your body can use.
But here’s the catch: Not all bacteria are friendly.
The wrong bacteria can take up space in your gut, competing for nutrients and throwing off digestion.
Overuse of antibiotics, processed foods, alcohol, and stress can strip away beneficial bacteria, leading to bloating, indigestion, and inflammation.
If your gut flora is out of balance, you may experience fatigue, food sensitivities, cravings, or even mood swings.
Where Hydration Comes In
Think of your stomach like a compost pile—to break things down properly, it needs enough moisture. Without water, food can’t break down efficiently, leading to sluggish digestion and toxin buildup. Hydration supports your microbiome by keeping digestion moving, reducing constipation, and ensuring nutrients are absorbed instead of fermenting in the gut.
How to Keep Your Gut Thriving
Eat Fermented Foods – Raw sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, plain yogurt, miso, and kombucha provide live probiotics to feed your gut.
Stay Hydrated – Water and probiotic-rich fluids (like raw kefir or homemade electrolyte drinks) support smooth digestion and detoxification.
Limit Gut Disruptors – Alcohol, processed foods, excess sugar, and medications can deplete good bacteria.
Take a High-Quality Probiotic – If your gut flora needs extra support, choose a supplement with at least 40 billion CFUs and multiple strains.
By hydrating properly and nourishing your microbiome, you’re supporting digestion, boosting immunity, and improving overall wellness. Healthy gut = a healthier, more energized YOU!
Three: Charge Up Your Electrolytes
Electrolytes are more than just salt—they are essential charged minerals that help your body send signals, regulate fluid balance, and keep your muscles and nerves working smoothly.
Why Electrolytes Matter
When dissolved in water, electrolytes become charged molecules (ions) that conduct electricity, allowing cells to communicate and function properly. They are crucial for:
✅ Nerve and Muscle Function – Supports energy, movement, and relaxation.
✅ Balancing Acidity Levels – Keeps your body’s pH in check.
✅ Fluid Regulation – Ensures proper hydration inside and outside your cells.
Electrolytes & Kidney Health
Your kidneys rely on electrolytes to properly filter water, regulate hydration, and support overall balance. Without enough electrolytes, water doesn’t stay in the body—it runs right through, leaving cells dry and depleted. This can stress your adrenals, leading to fatigue, low energy, and hormone imbalances.
🔹 Hydration Tip: If you find yourself urinating frequently after drinking water, this may be a sign of electrolyte deficiency. Proper electrolyte intake helps water stay in the cells rather than flushing out too quickly.
Essential Electrolytes & Their Benefits
Magnesium – Fights stress, improves hydration, slows aging, and calms the nervous system.
Calcium – Prevents water retention, improves circulation, and strengthens bones.
Potassium – Energizes the body, supports heart health, and balances skin moisture.
Bromides – Relaxes muscles and eases stiffness.
Sodium – Maintains lymphatic fluid balance, vital for immune function.
Chloride – Regulates fluid movement in and out of cells.
Signs of Electrolyte Imbalance
🚨 Fatigue & Muscle Weakness🚨 Brain Fog & Mood Swings🚨 Frequent Headaches🚨 Cravings for Salty Foods🚨 Dehydration Despite Drinking Water
Boosting Electrolytes Naturally
You can get healthy electrolytes from:
🥬 Dark leafy greens – kale, bok choy, cabbage, chard
🥒 Hydrating veggies – celery, jicama, cucumbers
🧂 Unrefined salts – Himalayan, sea salt, Celtic salt
🥥 Coconut water – rich in potassium and magnesium
🧀 Raw dairy – probiotic-rich, supports hydration
How to Stay Hydrated & Balanced
Add a pinch of unprocessed sea salt to your water – especially in the morning.
Snack on electrolyte-rich foods throughout the day (see list above!).
Replace table salt with mineral-rich alternatives like grey Atlantic salt.
Listen to your body – if you crave salty foods, it may be a sign your body needs electrolytes.
💡 Pro Tip: Your kidneys and adrenals thrive on proper hydration. When the body is dehydrated, it relies on adrenaline to function. But staying properly hydrated with electrolytes helps reduce stress, boost energy, and prevent burnout.
👉 Hydrate smarter, not harder—electrolytes are the key to lasting energy and balance! 💦
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