Water: Nature’s Elixir To Optimal Health
April 10th, 2008 Posted in Newsletter, Water Quality
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The inner body is much like the section of land near Harrison, Idaho where the Coeur d’Alene river runs next to several lakes. With the lakes representing cells, and the river portraying the circulatory system, the body dances a balancing act of equilibrium between both kinds of liquid. And neither liquid is equal to the other in solution, quantity, or level of importance.
When it comes to water distribution the brain requires the top level of importance, because it contains the highest concentration of water (85%), and for the work it executes as controller over bodily functions.
When the body lacks water, maintaining the blood becomes a priority over the cells. The body will allow cellular damage to occur before the viscosity of the blood is permitted to be lost.
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The Biology of Water in the Body
Water performs a multitude of functions within the body. A few of its major jobs are:
- Breaks food into useable particles
- Runs the body’s various hydro-electric pumps
- Removes toxins from the cells
- Cools the body
- Carries nutrients to the cells
The body has two distinct water pressures. The one inside the cell is lower than the outside force. This is needed so that when the highly pressurized fluid outside seeks to enter the cell it has the force needed to pass through turbines located within the cell membrane. This action creates the electricity used to charge ATP batteries, which are in turn used to power the various ion pumps of the cell.
One of the main pumps of the cell is the Sodium-Potassium Pump. It plays a vital role expelling sodium (salt) while bringing potassium into the cell. One of the main elements that keeps the blood from thickening is sodium which helps to maintain its water level at the same consistency as the earth’s oceans. Because of the Sodium-Potassium Pump the water inside the cell remains fresher and less dense.
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Wrinkles: One Sign of Dehydration
As we age our body’s water chemistry dramatically changes. In youth the cells contain more water than does the area outside them. By the time a person reaches 80 this ratio is reversed. As the years roll by it becomes very difficult not to suffer some level of water loss. For one reason the elderly lose their ability to sense they are thirsty, which makes them vulnerable to the ravishes of dehydration. It is thought nerves in the mouth, stomach and brain change in such a way that they become less sensitive to the thirst reflex.
Although there are several factors involved in the creation of skin wrinkles it has been well established fluid content plays a major part in weathering the body’s epidermis.
Dehydration and its Effects
Extreme dehydration can kill within hours, such as when a bacterium, like cholera, creates diarrhea and vomiting. But, one does not have to suffer such a radical experience to feel the effects the lack of water has on the body.
When the body is dehydrated histamine is produced to regulate the water that is available. Along with this the brain will send the kidneys the message to decrease urine production. So even though the body is dehydrated, the swelling which causes edema often occurs. The lack of urine production causes the sodium levels within the body to rise. Though increasing water intake can often be the solution to decreasing edema swelling, this increase should slowly be implemented, over a period of several days. This will allow the kidneys time to become accustom, and follow suit with the rise in water.
The major signs of dehydration are:
- Excessive thirst
- Heartburn
- Stomach ache
- Low back pain
- Headache
- Depression
- Water retention
- Fatigue
- Little urination
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadness
- Dry mouth
Through the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj several diseases have been found to have a link to dehydration. Among them are:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Gastritis
- Heartburn
- Colitis Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hypertension
- High Blood Cholesterol
- Stress and Depression
- Chronic Fatigue
- Diabetes
- Angina
- Strokes
Rehydration
Every day the body recycles nearly 320,000 ounces of water executing its standard operations. Through the various actions performed the body loses between 48 and 64 ounces of water daily. The body requires a minimum of 1 1/2 quarts of water daily to maintain hydration.
As stated earlier sodium is required to maintain the proper balance of water inside, and outside the cell. It is vital when drinking water a small amount of salt accompany the water to the stomach. In general, the salt eaten with food is enough to fulfill this requirement. However, when drinking quantities of water, without food, a pinch of salt should also be added.
Along with the job sodium performs in the blood it is vital for nerve cell communication, blood sugar balancing, extracting excessive acid from the cells, preventing muscle cramps and clearing mucus from the lungs and sinuses.
Rehydration should occur slowly, over a period of a few days. This allows the kidneys to become accustom to the greater quantity of liquid. Plus, unlike a camel, the human body has no mechanism which allows it to hold water in reserve. People need to drink small quantities (4 to 8 ounces) several times a day to stay hydrated. The exception being in the morning when water has not been taken for several hours, and when heavy work, exercise, or perspiration has caused the body to become depleted. At these times the body may require 16, or more ounces, to maintain hydration.
Not all liquids are equal. Many liquids people drink throughout the day are actually diuretics and cause the body to lose more water than is consumed. These include anything with caffeine; coffee, tea, and soda pop are among the most popular. Water is the liquid the body needs.
So, how much should you drink daily? The quick and easy formula for that is half your body weight in ounces. In other words, if you weigh 150 pounds you should drink 75 ounces of water daily. Considering the normal American consumption of water this formula seems to be a massive amount of water. Which is another reason you should increase your intake over a number of days. For the 150 pound person this averages out to four and half ounces every waking hour of the day (16 hours). To help one increase their water intake visit the following web page, "20 Tips For Getting Your 8 Glasses of Water Daily".
It is probably safe to say most people do not drink as much water as they should, which is why dehydration with age seems unavoidable. One can only do their best. Even drinking the minimum of 48 ounces a day will greatly help the body, since many people drink far less.
Article written by Cat Pippin Lowe for PromolifeNews.com.For more information on concepts and products used in this article, visit Promolife. If you like this, feel free to tell a friend.
Tags: allergies, angina, arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue, clean water, coeur d'Alene, colitis, dehydration, diabetes, elixer, gastritis, h20, heartburn, high cholesterol, hypertension, rehydration, stress, stroke, thirst, water, water purifier, water purity
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