A short lesson on water in your body.

Water: Nature’s Elixir

            First, go get a large glass of pure water. Now, sit down to read…

            Water is life. You have no doubt heard and read theories on how life came to be on earth. In these theories, water is always the catalyzing element. It is no surprise then that this important element makes up most of our human bodies. 75% of the your body is water; 85% of your brain is water; and even 75% of your muscle tissue is made up of water. It is the single most important substance in life—it is the apex to a functioning body.            

           If water is so vital to function, it is obvious that we needed daily, or is it multiple times a day? Actually, how much water do you need?

The body does not store water to draw upon when it needs more (we are not like camels) therefore we need to drink regularly. On average women need a minimum of 3 quarts a day while men require at least 4 quarts per day. However these amounts change drastically depending on factors such as climate (on a hot or humid day people should be taking in up to 2 gallons), a person’s body size and composition (sodium and mineral balances), exercise expenditure, and diet. Certain foods and many drinks (i.e. coffee, teas, soda) leach water from the body. These factors leave three quarters of Americans suffering from chronic dehydration without realizing it. The easiest way to monitor your level of hydration is a personal urine test--turn around and look in the toilet. When well hydrated your urine should be very light yellow with no odor. 

            When you are fully hydrated your blood is 94% water. But what happens to your body when you are dehydrated? Dehydration leads to issues in the entire body:

• Being even 3% dehydrated causes body to loose 8% of speed ability;  10% strength ability
• Dehydration increases blood volume making blood more viscous and harder for the heart to pump it through the body (increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke)
• Dehydration depletes amino acids used in neurotransmitter production (loose coordination).
• Inhibits kidney and liver function thereby clogging the body with toxins.
• Increases risk for osteoporosis—when cells are dehydrated energy cannot be efficiently made. When the body needs extra energy it will tap into bones for stored energy and degenerate the bones.
• Chronic dehydration damages reproductive genes and hormone production.
• Dehydration inhibits digestion of food leading to a poor metabolism, weight gain, constipation, and a lack of energy.

This list easily can continue into a book. But why focus on the negative when we should just drink more water and help our bodies in these ways:

• Water creates hydroelectricity in every cell of the body—it literally provides the power to live.
• Water is the main solvent for all foods, vitamins, and minerals. It is used in the breakdown of food into smaller particles and their eventual metabolism.   
• Water is the best lubricating laxative and prevents constipation.
• Water is the main lubricant in the joint spaces and helps prevent arthritis and back pain.
• Water increases the efficacy of red blood cells in collecting oxygen in the lungs (Athletes especially circulate blood very quickly and need to easily reoxygenize red blood cells).
• Water greatly increases the efficiency of the immune system in the bone marrow, where the immune system is formed—including its efficiency against cancer.
• Water helps with these common ailments: ADHD, sleep deprivation, hormonal imbalances, stress/anxiety/depression, PMS & hot flashes, loss of libido, morning sickness during pregnancy, etc

         Water is linked to virtually all of the bodies functions. When these systems fail due to dehydration it becomes problematic because it is a chain reaction. People do not recognize these symptoms as dehydration and search for other answers. In fact, the first symptom of dehydration is a gradual loss of sensation; therefore you do not necessarily feel thirsty. In effect “You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty”. The most important thing to remember is when you think you have had enough, keep drinking! And when in doubt trust your urine.

All information from:

Batmanghelidj, F., You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty”. Warner Books, June 2008.

Further Reading:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/nu00283

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000982.htm