WATER needs for Bandsters

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WATER – why it is Critical for Everyone, especially BANDSTERS

The importance of adequate WATER intake cannot be over-emphasized for Bandsters

serious about healthy weight loss. Drinking enough water is more than " a good

thing to do " or " kind of important. " Adequate water intake is ESSENTIAL to our

health and well-being, and especially in any weight-loss attempts. The body

interprets HUNGER the same as it interprets THIRST. Many times, when you feel

hungry, you really need WATER, not FOOD.

First, a few facts about WATER: (taken from a variety of resources)

It comprises about 60-70% of the adult body, and 80% of a child's body.

- Your lungs are 90% water. Muscles are 75% water. Your brain is 95% water.

- A water deficit of only 1 quart (32 ounces) greatly slows circulation and

impairs brain function.

- Thirst is a very poor indicator of hydration level. By the time you are

noticeably thirsty, you are already very dehydrated and your body is

struggling. You won't feel thirsty

until you are at least 3-5% dehydrated.

-

- A 2% dehydration results in a 15%-20% loss of mental and physical performance.

Regular water intake throughout the day is much better than a lot at once

- Symptoms of early dehydration include HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, FATIGUE, NAUSEA,

VOMITING

- An average person loses 80 ounces of water a day simply through breathing,

perspiring,

and other normal body functions. This DOES NOT take into account extra loss

through the extra perspiration, and muscle

- In one hour of light exercise, the body loses more than 1 quart (32 oz) of

water.

- You can live less than a week without water. You can live many weeks without

food.

Now, what does water (good hydration) do for ALL people?

1.It lubricates the organs and joints

2.Reduces the risk of colon cancer, especially in women

3.Reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, especially important for women.

4.Keeps skin moist and soft, reduces aging effects, and aids skin in healing

5.Helps maintain muscle tone

6.Helps regulate body temperature

7.s essential elements like Potassium, calcium, and sodium to the cells

8.Helps maintain sinus health – especially important with allergies

9.Is used as fuel by the body (fuel is not just food)

10.Aids digestion in a great number of ways.

11.Suppresses the appetite

12.Aids in breakdown of fat

13.Helps digest fiber

14.Helps maintain good bowel health and regularity

15.Prevents sagging skin from weight loss

16.Increases metabolism

17.Keeps mucous thin and loose – especially important for Bandsters!

18.Helps maintain kidney function and helps the kidneys excrete broken-down fat

19.Moistens oxygen for breathing

20.Helps decrease menstrual bloating

21.Decreases fluid retention from various illnesses and dehydration

22.New studies are relating even a slight, ongoing dehydration with increased

rates of breast CA

23.Assists in healing from wounds or surgery

24.Cushions the internal organs

25.Reduces the incidence of heart attack and stroke

26.Dilutes stomach acid to reduce GERD (reflux)

HOW MUCH water is ENOUGH WATER ??

As cited earlier, normal body functions (breathing, walking, eating, perspiring,

etc) uses up at least 80 ounces a day of bodily fluid. This is the basis for

the commonly-stated need of (8) 8-ounce glasses of water a day. This fluid, plus

the fluid in normal foods, will equate to the needed 80-100 oz a day adult

humans need.

BANDSTERS AND WATER

Since Bandsters are consuming a lesser volume of food in general, and more of it

is SOLID foods with a lower WATER content than the average person, BANDSTERS

need to be drinking a lot more water than the average person. ALL fluids count -

not just plain water. It was once thought that drinking coffee and other

caffeinated beverages caused dehydration, but this is since disproven.

Bandsters, therefore, need about 80-100 oz a day from the liquids we DRINK .

HOW WATER PARTICULARLY BENEFITS BANDSTERS:

- Keeps the mucous thin and functional. Especially important if you are

" sliming " or PB'ing !

- Maintaining very good hydration helps minimize restriction variations – a very

important issue.

- Helps keep the mucous membranes healthy and able to resist damage if you PB or

choose to expose the membranes to damage from acids (citrus, coffee, citurs

juices,etc) or medications

- Drinking a large glass of water 15 minutes before eating will moisten your

mouth and esophagus, making it easier not to drink with meals. This is called

" water-loading " and also decreases your hunger and fills you.

- Drinking a large glass of water when you think you are feeling " hunger " often

resolves the " hunger. " (The body feels hunger and thirst the same way)

- Decreases the risk of the constipation, which can be a problem for Bandsters.

- COLD water Increases the metabolism to assist in burning calories

- Helps the kidneys excrete all the fat you are breaking down - especially

important if you are DIABETIC

It's entirely possible to get TOO MUCH WATER. Excesses are NOT needed, and can

be harmful for those with diabetes, kidney disease, heart or Blood Pressure

problems, or many other illnesses. Never consume much more than the above

without specific input from your physician. Some illnesses require a LESSER

fluid intake.

ARE * YOU * GETTING ENOUGH WATER?? The easiest way to tell is looking at your

urine color – before it is diluted in the toilet water. An easy trick to do this

is to put a thin layer of toilet tissue on top of the toilet bowl water and

urinate onto it. Urine from a well-hydrated person in only slightly yellowish,

almost CLEAR. Any degree more color means you are dehydrated, unless your urine

is dark from kidney or liver disease, or unneeded mega-doses of vitamins that

are being excreted.

c. Sandy s, CNS, MN

16 April 2004

Bandster at Goal since 1-1-04

Updated: January 2010