Years ago when the weather was hot you were told to take salt tablets and drink water-now no one recommends taking salt tablets--why?

Because now we know that taking salt tablets will actually dehydrate a person. What a person actually needs is more water when they are thirsty, not salt! And if a person is working hard in hot weather, more than sodium needs to be replaced...one also needs to replace potassium, magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes. That's why you see so many sports drinks out today. But unfortunately, those are mostly sugar, so they aren't that great, either. If you are working out in hot weather, the best thing to do is make sure you get enough water to drink and be careful not to get over-heated. Take a break and stay out of the sun during the hours of noon and 2 pm when heat stroke is most likely to occur.