Water -- Essential to Life

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Water -- Essential to Life.

Water is a fundamental part of our lives. It is easy to forget how

completely we depend on it. Human survival is dependent on water --

water has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as

essential for life. The average adult body is 55 to 75% water. 2/3

of your body weight is water (40 to 50 quarts). A human embryo is

more than 80% water. A newborn baby is 74% water. Everyday your body

must replace 2 1/2 quarts of water.The Water you drink literally

becomes you! Since such a large percentage of our bodies is water,

water must obviously figure heavily in how our bodies function. We

need lots of fresh water to stay healthy.

Aside from aiding in digestion and absorption of food, water

regulates body temperature and blood circulation, carries nutrients

and oxygen to cells, and removes toxins and other wastes. This " body

water " also cushions joints and protects tissues and organs,

including the spinal cord, from shock and damage. Conversely, lack

of water (dehydration) can be the cause of many ailments. In his

book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water, Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj

noted that chronic dehydration may cause certain problems for the

body, including hypertension, asthma, allergies, and migraine

headaches.

Every process in our body occurs in a water medium. We can exist

without food for 2 months or more, but we can only survive for a few

days without water.

Most people don't drink enough water. The body responds to this

water deficiency in a variety of ways, which we frequently see as

illnesses. When, many symptoms decrease. Ongoing dehydration may

cause actual disease as the body struggles to maintain itself with

insufficient water.

Concern About the Nation's Drinking Water

Although water covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface, only 1%

of the Earth's water is available as a source of drinking water.

Unfortunately, Americans are finding that our limited supplies are

often polluted with contaminants such as Asbestos, Cysts (like

Cryptosporidium and Giardia), Lead, Mercury, Trihalomethanes,

Turbidity, Endocrine Disrupters and Volatile Organic Chemicals

Consumers are taking matters into their own hands and are now

determining the quality of the water they and their families will

drink by installing a drinking water system that will give them

clean, refreshing, and healthier water.

Hard Water vs. SoftWater

Soft water (water with the minerals removed) appears to contribute

to a higher incidence of hypertension and heart disease.

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is an

adaptive process to a gross body water deficiency. According to an

article Good Housekeeping, nutritionists have determined that the

amount of minerals in your tap water can make a significant

difference to your health. The article cited a recent study in the

Journal of the American Dietetic Association that found that

drinking " hard " water (water with the minerals left in) may actually

reduce your risk of heart disease.

According to Whitney and Hamilton's Nutrition, " soft water appears

to contribute to a higher incidence of hypertension and heart

disease in areas where it is used. Hard water may oppose these

conditions. "

Metabolism

Water is the medium for various enzymatic & chemical reactions in

the body. It moves nutrients, hormones, antibodies, & oxygen through

the blood stream & lymphatic system. The proteins & enzymes of the

body function more efficiently in solutions of lower viscosity.

Water is the solvent of the body & it regulates all functions,

including the activity of everything it dissolves & circulates.

Water and WeightLoss

Among its other benefits, water plays a major part in weight loss.

Since water contains no calories, it can serve as an appetite

suppressant, and helps the body metabolize stored fat, it may

possibly be one of the most significant factors in losing weight. In

the article " Water Bearers " , (Shape magazine) Austin notes

that " water is the single most important nutrient you take in every

day. It's fat -free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and completely

without calories. " Also, drinking more water helps to reduce water

retention by stimulating your kidneys. Studies have recommended that

if you are overweight according to average height and weight

comparison charts, you should add one glass of water to your daily

requirement (of eight glasses) for every 25 pounds over your

recommended weight.

Dehydration leads to excess body fat, poor muscle tone & size,

decreased digestive efficiency & organ function, increased toxicity,

joint & muscle soreness, & water retention. Water works to keep

muscles and skin toned.

Digestive System

The digestion of solid foods depends on the presence of copious

amounts of water. Acids & enzymes in the stomach break the food down

into a homogenized fluid state which can pass into the intestine for

the next phase of digestion.

An " acid stomach " will respond to hydration.

Constipation is a frequent symptom of dehydration. Increased water,

along with increased fiber, will usually totally eliminate a problem.

Gastritis, duodenitis, pain from ulcers (as long as the ulcer is not

perforated), & heartburn all decrease with increased water intake.

Water eliminates toxins & waste from the body.

Water Loss

Adults lose nearly 6 pints (12 cups) of water every day. We lose 1/2

cup to 1 cup a day from the soles of our feet. Another 2 to 4 cups

is lost from breathing. Perspiration accounts for another 2 cups.

Another 3 pints (6 cups) are lost in urine.

Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated, a form of rationing & distribution goes

into play to ration the available water. Since the body has no

reserve system, it operates a priority distribution system for the

amount that has been made available by intake.

The body's signals of dehydration are frequently joint pain, stomach

pain & ulcers, back pain, low energy, mental confusion &

disorientation. Numerous disease symptoms respond to increased water

intake.

Water Retention

If you're not drinking sufficient water, your body starts retaining

water to compensate for this shortage. To eliminate fluid retention,

drink more water, not less. If you don't drink enough water to

maintain your body's fluid balance, you can impair every aspect of

your body's physiological function.

The Thirst Reflex

The " dry mouth " signal is the last outward sign of extreme

dehydration. As our bodies try to adjust to being deprived of water,

our thirst mechanism becomes disabled. The only time we receive

the " dry mouth " signal is as the last outward sign of extreme

dehydration. In addition, the thirst sensation gradually decreases

with age. The result is increasing dehydration. As we start to give

our bodies more water, the thirst mechanism begins to work again,

but doesn't become fully apparent until our bodies are fully

hydrated. When we are getting sufficient water, we're often thirsty.

Body Temperature

Water helps regulate our body temperature through perspiration,

which dissipates excess heat & cools our bodies.

Breathing

We even need water to breathe! As we take in oxygen & excrete CO2,

our lungs must be moistened by water. We lose about 1 to 2 pints of

water each day just exhaling.

Asthma is frequently relieved when water intake is increased.

Histamine plays a key role in regulating the way the body uses &

distributes water & helps control the body' s defense mechanisms. In

asthmatics, histamine level increases with dehydration. Our defense

for the body is to close down the airways.

Kidneys

The kidneys remove wastes such as uric aced, urea & lactic acid, all

of which must be dissolved in water. When there isn't sufficient

water, those wastes are not effectively removed, which may result in

damage to the kidneys.

Joints

Water lubricates our joints. The cartilage tissues found at the ends

of long bones & between the vertebrae of the spine hold a lot of

water, which serves as a lubricant during the movement of the joint.

When the cartilage is will hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide

freely, & friction damage is minimal. If the cartilage is

dehydrated, the rate of " abrasive " damage is increased, resulting in

joint deterioration & increased pain.

The actively growing blood cells in the bone marrow take priority

over the cartilage for the available water that goes through the

bone structure.

Rheumatoid joint pain frequently decreases with increased water

intake & flexing exercises to bring more circulation to the joints.

Back

75% of the upper body weight is supported by the water volume that

is stored in the spinal disc core. 25% is supported by the fibrous

materials around the disc. The spinal joints are dependent on

different hydraulic properties of water which is stored in the disc

core. Back pain is frequently alleviated with hydration.

The Brain

Brain tissue is 85% water. Although the brain is only 1/50th of the

body weight, it uses 1/20th of the blood supply.

With dehydration, the level of energy generation in the brain is

decreased. Depression & chronic fatigue syndrome are frequently

results of dehydration.

Migraine headaches may be an indicator of critical body temperature

regulation at times of " heat stress. " Dehydration plays a major role

in bringing on migraines. Dehydration causes stress & stress causes

further dehydration.

Pregnancy

Morning sickness is a thirst signal of both the fetus & the mother.

During the intrauterine stage of cell expansion, water for the

fetus' cell growth has to be provided by the mother. One of the

first indicators for water needs of the fetus & the mother seems to

be morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Water helps carry nutrients through blood to the baby.

Water helps prevent bladder infections, constipation, and

hemorrhoids, which are common during pregnancy.

The more water you drink, the less water you retain.

Dehydration can trigger contractions and early labor.

Amniotic fluid (mostly water) is replaced continuously throughout

the day, so more water is needed to replenish the body.

Hydration is essential to good breast milk production.

Not only is it important to drink enough water, the quality of the

water consumed is of paramount concern. Many studies have shown that

water contamination risks are greatly increased in infants, due to

their size and stage of development, with their brains and bodies

being formed.

Water vs. Other Beverages

There is a difference between drinking pure water & beverages that

contain water. Fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee, etc., may contain

substances that are not healthy, & actually contradict some of the

positive effects of the added water. Caffeinated beverages stimulate

the adrenal glands and act as diuretics, robbing your body of

necessary water. Soft drinks contain phosphorus which can lead to

depletion of bone calcium. Soda contains sodium. Fruit juices

contain a lot of sugar & stimulate the pancreas. These drinks may

tax the body more than they cleanse it. A 12 ounce can of regular

soda contains the equivalent of 9 teaspoons of sugar and loads of

empty calories.

Other Beverages also contain dehydrating agents. They may actually

reduce the water reserves in the body! Drinking other beverages to

the exclusion of water also causes you to lose your taste for water.

This is particularly true with children as they become dependent on

Sodas & juices.

How much water should you drink?

A non active person needs a half ounce of water per pound of body

weight per day. That is ten 8 ounce glasses a day if your weight is

160 pounds. For every 25 pounds you exceed your ideal weight,

increase it by one 8 ounce glass.

An active, athletic person needs 2/3 ounce per pound which is 13-14

8 ounce glasses a day if you're 160 pounds. The more you exercise

the more water you need. Spread out your water intake throughout the

day. Do not drink more than 4 glasses within any given hour. After a

few weeks your bladder calms down & you will urinate less

frequently, but in larger amounts.