The benefits of water to our bodies
An increased intake of healthy water will greatly enhance digestion‚ nutrient absorption‚ skin hydration‚ detoxification and virtually every aspect of better health!
So many common ailments and illnesses can be prevented and possibly even cured with an increased intake of healthy water. Headaches, hypertension, back pain, arthritis, ulcers, asthma, morning sickness and fatigue can all benefit and in many cases be prevented by regulating the body’s natural fluid levels. Recently there has been a dramatic swing in medical theory and a long overdue realization about “healing”. The best way to prevent, treat and in many cases cure illness is to give our body the right tools and let it go to work. With the proper intake of healthy water, the right minerals and nutrients our body can overcome almost anything.
Recent studies have confirmed that many of the medications our society has become dependant on, primarily antibiotics and pain relievers, often do more harm than good. Antibiotics can be extremely damaging to the liver and have an adverse effect on our natural immune system. The more often we turn to synthetic medicines to over come infections, the weaker our natural defenses become and the more likely we are to have repeated incidences of infection. An increased intake of water and the proper immune enhancing nutrients combined with a little patience and common sense are by far the best defense against most infections. Allowing our body to over come minor infections with fever, fluids and rest increases our natural resistance and makes us less susceptible to these intruders in the future. Truly the best offence is a good “defense”.
Pain medications and analgesic medicines also work in contrast to the way our body heals itself. In a very informative book called The Body's Many Cries for Water (very highly recommend) studies by medical experts explain how most of the pain sensations we experience are the result of moderate or acute dehydration.
Our brain is over 75% water and when it detects a shortage of available fluids it implements a water rationing process by producing histamines, causing pain and fatigue. This natural process is meant to slow us down and conserve water. Histamines are released as a warning signal that something is wrong. When we take antihistamines or analgesic medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen we simply turn off the signal and often allow the problem to progress. Two cups of water and a 20 minute break will overcome most common headache pain.
Back pain is also most often the result of a deficiency in body fluid levels. The disks in our back are in reality little hydraulic shock absorbers. These disks are made up of an outer shell filled with fluid, primarily water. A properly hydrated disk creates a cushion that absorbs the shock of physical activity and supports the weight of the upper body. These discs are self hydrating as long as there is adequate fluid levels and regular movement. Movement that compresses and releases pressure on the disc creates a suction that allows water to be pulled inside the disc keeping it fully hydrated. When a disc is fully hydrated the shell of the disc supports 25% of the weight load and the fluid supports 75%. When theses discs become dehydrated then the shell has to support a larger portion of the load causing pain, swelling and soreness. Passive activities like standing, or sitting at a desk without regular movement, allow constant pressure on the disks which slowly forces water out. Without sufficient fluid levels, the pressure on the disc increases and results in pain and stiffness. Simply by maintaining a constant and adequate intake of water combined with regular movement such as bending forward and backwards with your head and upper body allowing the disks to hydrate, you can prevent and stop most minor back and neck pain. Try it, you’ll be amazed how easy and effective these natural solutions are.
Hypertension is very often a result of the body adjusting to blood volume loss, according to Dr. Batmanghelidj, MD, a recognized expert on natural and preventive treatments. The most common cause of lower blood volume is dehydration. Since our blood is more than 83% water it’s total volume is heavily effected by the level of available water in our body. When the body detects a loss of blood volume it closes off less active capillary beds in order to maintain proper blood flow to the more active areas. These vessel closings cause a rise in tension inside the muscle mass which we’ve come to know as “hypertension”. More water allows proper blood volumes and less tension.
Arthritis pain and stiffness is now understood to be initially a result of increased friction and swelling in the bone joints. Water is what our body uses to lubricate these joints. When our water levels are reduced there is increased friction between the cartilage surfaces resulting in swelling, stiffness and pain. The movement of the joints causes a suction that pulls water from the bone marrow to the joint cavity if there is available water. An increased intake of water and gentle rhythmic movements of the joints can ease and in many cases overcome minor arthritic pain. A more detailed explanation of this natural treatment can be studied in The Body’s Many Cries For Water or a recent publication by three very highly respected Medical Doctors called The Water We Drink. For more information on arthritis, read Glucosamine and Arthritis Pain
Asthma, which affects over 12 million children in North America alone and causes the deaths of several thousand each year, is a direct result of increased histamine production. Dehydration initiates exaggerated histamine production as a water regulating control. It is well known that asthmatics have excessive levels of histamines in their lung tissue causing constriction of the bronchial passages and increased mucus build up. Water is used in the lungs to keep the tissue moist, but each time we exhale we expel moisture from our lungs. Under normal hydrated conditions the moisture is rapidly replaced. If we are in a dehydrated state then the tissue inside the lungs begins to coat with mucus to prevent drying. It has been demonstrated in many animal studies that an increase in water intake will reduce histamine levels and over a 2 to 3 week period restore normal hydration to lung tissue and reduce mucus build up. Once this occurs the bronchial passages begin to open and normal breathing is restored. The same histamine related effects apply to allergies, and again, significant benefits can result from an increased intake of water.
Even something thought of as normal, like morning sickness is a direct result of dehydration. The fetus lives in a world of water which the body prioritizes above all other needs. Throughout the night, which is the longest period without water intake, the uterus draws water from the mothers system to maintain it’s internal fluid levels and those of the fetus. In the morning the mother awakens in a state of dehydration, nausea and fatigue, hence the term “morning sickness”. A common hang over produces the same symptoms and has essentially the same cause, dehydration… only with a much less noble purpose. Alcohol is a very strong diuretic and causes the body to excrete water often leading to advanced dehydration. Both of these common ailments can be prevented by drinking plenty of water before and throughout the night.
While water is not an absolute cure-all, it must be recognized as the base and primary ingredient to every preventive and healing process within our body. We are truly a magnificent creation capable of preventing and curing even the worst of disease and illness.
Understanding how our body works is the first step towards achieving a higher level of health. Once we have this understanding then our actions begin to work in harmony with our body’s natural instincts, creating the perfect internal environment.
It is important to remember that we are a water machine and that simply by providing our body with the proper ingredients we can and will achieve an elevated level of health, and what a wonderful and rewarding feeling it can be!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATER
How 8 Glasses A Day Keeps Fat Away
Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take for granted, water may be the only true "magic potion" for permanent weight loss.
Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.
Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.
Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cell). This shows up as
swollen feet, legs and hands.
Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a treat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns.
The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs -- plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.
If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat the more water your system retains to dilute it.
But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy -- just drink more water. As it's forced through the kidneys it takes away excess sodium.
The overweight person needs more water than a thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the over weight person needs more water.
Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weigh loss -- shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps
the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.
Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of -- all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.
Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.
So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths about water and
weight loss:
* The body will not function properly without enough
water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.
* Retained water shows up as excess weight.
* To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.
* Drinking water is essential to weight loss.
How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink 8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.
Water should preferably be cold. It's absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. And some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. To utilize water most efficiently during weight loss, follow this
schedule:
Morning: 1 quart consumed over a 30-minute period.
Noon: 1 quart consumed over a 30-minute period.
Evening: 1 quart consumed between five and six o'clock.
When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, it's fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?
* Endocrine-gland function improves.
* Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.
* More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to
metabolize stored fat.
* Natural thirst returns.
* There is a loss of hunger almost over night.
If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you'll have to go back and force another
"breakthrough."
If you are like me, you may not like the taste of regular drinking water. I would suggest getting a filter for your water at home if you are going to be drinking from tap. I prefer to have bottled water delivered to my residence. It also helps to use two lemon or orange slices squeezed into the water for a bit of flavor. Try other fruits as well such as strawberries, limes, peach slices, etc. use your imagination. You may just find the right thing perfect for you.
I hope this has been informative for you as it was for me.
Have a wonderful day and remember to drink that water!
Duchess Divinity Wellsprings
