Paul Jensen, Jr.
Adequate hydration is essential for optimal function of the human body’s many systems and prevention of disease. The human body is composed of about 75% water (1). The human brain is approximately 85% water (1). Such high percentages give you an idea of how vital water is to your body.
A mere 10-20% loss of our body’s water would be fatal (3). Chronic dehydration has been linked to many problems and disease processes in the body. It has been suggested that heartburn, rheumatoid pain, back pain, anginal pain, headaches and leg pain while walking are all potential symptoms of dehydration and are often alleviated by proper hydration (1).
Water is also critical for optimal digestion, elimination, detoxification, and the ability to perform physical work. If the body is not adequately hydrated, our ability to regulate our body temperature is disrupted, which leads to early onset of fatigue, loss of motor control and increased chance of injury.
Unfortunately, fruit juices, soda beverages, alcohol, tea, or any of the number of chemical concoctions are being heavily marketed as healthy thirst quenchers in place of water. Most of these drinks, in reality, can dehydrate the body and decrease performance. Dehydration occurs because many sodas, sport drinks, and juices are loaded with sugar. When these drinks are consumed, the body takes water from your muscles (where most of the water is in your body) to breakdown the sugar in your stomach, thus dehydrating the muscles (2).
The brain, which only weighs 1/50th of one’s body weight, receives 20% of the available blood flow circulating in the body (1). This is significant because as one’s level of hydration in the central nervous system drop 1% there will be a noticeable loss of brain function (1).
It has been suggested that drinking at least ˝ your body weight in ounces of clean water per day with a pinch of unprocessed sea salt per liter /quarter gallon from a reputable company (watch for high mercury content) is optimal to maintain proper hydration (1, 3). The salt helps you retain the water and stay hydrated. I have had great success with my clients and myself by following this tip. The noticeable improvements I have observed include increased energy levels, decreased hunger pangs, and improvement in complexion.
As important as the amount of water you consume is the quality of the water you are drinking. Our rivers, lakes and underground water supplies have become polluted with herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, acid rain, heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, radioactive wastes, and thousands of industrial chemicals (3). Tap water is not favorable because our public water purification systems are aging and really only designed to treat bacteria, not all this other pollution. The question then becomes what kind of water can we drink?
While filtered and distilled water have benefits, reverse osmosis is the best choice. Filtered water purification cleans lead, cadmium, and other matter from water, but lacks the ability to remove organic chemicals and possible carcinogens such as fluorine (3). Distilled water’s downfall is that particulate matter binds with chlorine to form toxic compounds that eventually end up in freshly distilled water (3). A high quality reverse osmosis system is the best choice because bacteria and chemical contaminants are effectively removed. Test your water and do plenty of research to help you choose the best home purification system for your situation.
Hopefully after reading this article and checking out my references it will become evident to you that proper hydration could address many ailments.
References:
1. Batmanghelidj, F. Your Body’s Many Cries for Water: Your Not Sick, Your Are Thristy! Vienna, VA: Global Health Solutions, Inc., 1992, 1995, 1997.
2. Flatten Your Abs Forever Lecture: Secrets of Abdominal Training by Paul Chek.A C.H.E.K Institute Production, 2001.
3. Wolcott, William and Fahey, Trish. The Metabolic Typing Diet. New York, NY: Doubleday, 2000.
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