WATER

Most people today do not realize the importance of water to our overall health. True health cannot occur without proper hydration of the body. Your total body contains about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature provide the means for nutrients to travel to through all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs. When the body does not receive a constant, reliable supply of fresh water, it has to ration what's available and cut back on certain functions in order to make the supply go round. Essential systems like the brain are prioritized, others are impaired or cut back until the brain has had its needs met. The skin, being the least important, is rationed the least amount of water. 

Chronically dry skin and/or dandruff are signs of advanced bodily dehydration, as are asthma and hyperventilation. Other signs of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles, lower back pain, headaches and constipation. Constipation is a sign of water starvation, as the body's intestinal peristaltic action extracts every precious drop of water from your food, to save losing it, creating gridlock. Another sign to the lack of water in the body is a strong odour to your urine, along with a dark yellow or amber colour indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty. The thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!) Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.

Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.The biggest trigger of daytime fatigue is lack of water.

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 maths, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and developed bladder cancer by 50%.

Most of us have become CHRONICALLY AND DANGEROUSLY DEHYDRATED (especially the elderly), since we have decided that water is too bland to drink and instead replace it with tea, coffee, beer, wine, sodas, flavored water and other chemical-laced water alternatives. These alternatives do not hydrate the body as many are diuretic (water expelling) in their effect because of their chemical composition. 

Water expert Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj maintains that asthmas, allergies, diabetes, arthritis, angina, stomach upsets, chronic intestinal complaints and certain others degenerative illnesses are the bodies many cries for water, complaints which are dramatically improved with a consistent and long-term intake of fresh, clean water. Flushing the body with a constant long-term supply of good clean fresh water, is a superb way to assist with detoxification and hydration and is especially important for anyone with cancer. Your body requires approximately 2litres of water a day for optimum health.

  

A great time to start your daily intake of water would be very early in the morning, a glass or

two about ½ an hour prior to breakfast, as the body is detoxifying and repairing from 4am until 12 noon. Drink a glass of water half an hour before a meal and then may be two glasses around three hours afterwards for optimum health. So it would make sense to get into the habit of drinking plenty of clean water on a daily basis, get your kids into the habit for without this essential habit you simply will not be healthy. If you drink tap water ensure that a carbon filter is attached to produce chlorine and solvent free water to drink. Avoid plastic bottled water which can be contaminated with chemicals from the plastic. Mineral water in glass bottles is fine. In the event that you live in a fluoridated area, reverse osmosis or back wash filters should be used to remove the fluoride poisons.

Importance of water to the body system

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 helps regulate our body temperature through perspiration, which dissipates excess heat & cools our bodies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Benefits of Water to the body

It Prevents Sickness

If you often fall sick, it could be that you're not drinking enough water. Water plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy a lymphatic system. When this system is balanced, your body can properly fight off infection that tries to enter into the body. Studies have also shown that dehydration leads to higher cortisol levels and, in turn, stress and sickness.

It Hydrates Your Cells

After a long night's rest, it is common to wake up dehydrated. Hydration first thing in the morning is important, because it increases the rate at which new muscle and blood cells are produced. A hydrated body allows for a healthy flow of oxygen, allowing you to stay alert and energized.

It Aids in Weight Loss

Consider water a wake-up call for your digestive system! Drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning boosts your metabolism heading into the day. In fact, research shows that an increase in water consumption leads to an increase in the rate at which people burn calories as opposed to storing them as fat. Water also fills you up, curbing your appetite. Chances are that starting your day off with a It

Detoxifies the Body

Water, especially lemon water, is a natural detoxifier. Drinking water flushes out toxins and impurities. Not only does this keep you healthy, but it also leads to clear skin. Water purifies the colon too, allowing for the proper absorption of nutrients. While a plain glass of water is great, adding lemon increases the rate of urination in the body, maximizing enzyme function and stimulating the liver for detoxification. Healthy glass of water instead of a sugary latte will help you make smarter choices throughout the rest of your day.

Increased nutrient absorption

 Drinking water on an empty stomach purifies the colon, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients.

New cell production

 Our blood is composed of about 83% water, while lean muscle tissue is approximately 75% water.  Early morning water consumption increases the daily production of new blood and muscle cells.

Clear, moisturized skin

 It’s no coincidence that it’s called the “fountain” of youth.  Water helps to purge toxins from the blood, which helps keep your skin glowing, moisturized and clear.  This gives you a more youthful appearance, and over time visibly reduces signs of aging.

 Balanced lymph system

Your lymph nodes act as filters for foreign particles and are important in the proper functioning of the immune system.  Lymph fluids circulate throughout the body, helping you perform multiple daily functions – including balancing your bodily fluids and fighting off infection.

Water is a natural healer on its own and could also solve some health issues some drugs might not properly heal that's why its very important and essential to the body system