75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (And this likely applies to half of the world's population.)   In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.   If you wait for your body to feel thirst, you are already partly dehydrated; thirst is not a good indicator of need.

• Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
  
   

• One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
  
   

• Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.  Think about this the next time 3:00 P.M. or 4:00 P.M. rolls around and you are searching for a snack -- have a glass of cool, clean water instead!
  
   

• Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
  
   

• A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on a computer screen or a printed page.
  
   

• Drinking five glasses of quality water daily
       decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%,
       slashes the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and
       decreases the likelihood of developing bladder cancer by 50%.
  
  
  and, don't forget to take your ultra-refined fish oil every day like I do -- I take my SeaLogix Fish Oil every every every day!  It's virtually toxin-free!  and, all-wild source fish oil!

Water -- Essential to Life

Human survival is dependent on water. Water has been ranked by experts second only to oxygen as essential for life. The average adult body is 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, 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. Ongoing dehydration may cause actual disease as the body struggles to maintain itself with insufficient water. 

Concern about the nation's, and the world'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, we are all finding that our limited supplies are more often polluted with contaminants such as Asbestos, Cysts (like Crypto Sporidium and Giardia), Lead, Mercury, Trihalomethanes, Turbidity, Endocrine Disrupters and Volatile Organic Chemicals, Dioxins, PCB's, DDT and other chemical contaminants.  The contaminants regularly found in the water in all of our rivers, lakes and oceans - around the world - include mercury, lead, nickel, cadmium, PCB's, DDT, and tin.

It is ever ever more important that we all be aware of our drinking water's quality and availability.  It is also so important how each of us use the water we are entrusted with.  The supply is limited, friends -- and we are all friends everywhere in this.  Keep all of our waters as clean and contaminant-free as possible.  Every day.  In every way.  Every where.  It matters.
 

Hard Water vs. Soft Water. 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." 

Water and Weight Loss.  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) Elizabeth 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. 

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. 

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. 

Body Temperature.  Water helps regulate our body temperature through perspiration, which dissipates excess heat & cools our body. 

Breathing

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. 

Kidneys.   The kidneys remove wastes such as uric acid, 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.  And oh my gosh!  The kidneys do so much for us!  Take good care of your 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 well 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. 

and, don't forget -- the quality of your water, and also the quality of your fish oil is really important !  I take my Pharmaceutical-Grade Ultra-Refined ALL-wild source Virtually Toxin-Free Fish Oil every day!  Every day! Click Here!  for more information on ordering fish oil for your best health!

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

How much water should you drink?  An 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. 

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. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar & stimulate the pancreas. Soda contains sodium. These drinks may tax the body more than they cleanse it. 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 and juices -- which contain excess sugars and other substances anyway!

And watch out for water "additives"!  Really read the ingredients labels on bottled water!  It seems ridiculous for something like water, but watch out!  Like the Coca-Cola branded water "Dasani"... I think it's one of the worst!!  It's not "just water" anymore!  And they've got a really lot of advertising dollars behind getting you to drink theirs anyway.  Be careful consumers.  Get the real thing.  Water.  Wow - who knew how important it really is and how purity can get really messed up by corporate greed.

And, Here's a Whole New Issue about Water -- Private-ization !
The Privatization of water and water resources, around the world, is now fast-becoming an issue we all want to know more about and to weigh in on with our healthcare professionals, our legislators, and of course our friends and families!  This is becoming a more and more important, and timely, issue!  Keep up on this one!  We don't want private corporations to be in control of who gets water!!  Water is probably the most important substance for each living being on this planet.  WATER must be kept in a public domain arena where access, quality, and cost cannot be limited to control by private corporations!
Check out what The Center for Public Integrity has on this subject (they have several links on the following page):http://store.publicintegrity.org/water/

 

and, don't forget to take your pharmaceutical grade, ultra-refined fish oil everyday like I do which is all-wild source and virtually toxin-free fish oil and I take my SealoGiX Fish Oil every day!  Every day! Click Here! for more information on ordering  fish oil for your best health!

 

For more information about water, and for more information on  SeaLogiX OMEGA-3 fatty acids Fish Oil, contact: Karen@eStraightshooters.com

Physicians and HealthCare Professionals please email for comprehensive info developed for the health care field about pharmaceutical grade ultra-refined fish oil.