Would you be interested to learn that there is something easy, inexpensive and highly effective that can do every day to protect your health, prevent illness and even help reverse disease? Of course you would.
The nutrient I’m referring to is fresh, natural and delicious. It helps our bodies thrive. Without it, we can soon develop weakness, fatigue, headaches, joint and back pain, constipation, weight gain, hormone imbalance, dizziness, nausea, confusion, heart palpitations, and fever. Prolonged deprivation will contribute to even more serious diseases and, ultimately, even death. This element is essential to our health, and even survival.
I’m talking about water.
Wondrous Element
You’ve heard that the human body consists of 75 percent water, but did you know that our brain tissue is actually made up of a whopping 85 percent water?
Check out this amazing—and only partial—list of how water contributes to these essential bodily functions:
- Ensures proper digestion
- Enables nutrient absorption
- Helps the heart pump blood and transport oxgen
- Controls heart rate and blood pressure
- Lubricates joints
- Prevents muscle cramping
- Regulates body temperature
- Protect organs and tissues
- Makes saliva
- Eliminates toxins and waste
Of course, we lose water as our systems execute these bodily functions. Other factors such as exercise, living in a hot climate, etc., contribute, as well. Those undergoing chemotherapy also lose fluids from nausea and vomiting. So, keeping our bodies hydrated on a daily basis is essential to support our overall health and capacity for healing.
According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, author of “Our Body’s Many Cries for Water,” (http://amzn.to/1VB6ZOR) as well as numerous other health experts, the ideal amount of fresh water we should be drinking is 6-8 ounce glasses per day. We’ve all heard this before, but how many of us actually believe it and, more importantly, even do it?
Dehydration and Illness
When our water intake does not equal our output, we become dehydrated. Though some argue that consuming even 6-8 glasses a day is not necessary, Batmanghelidj believes chronic dehydration is a major contributor to serious imbalances such as depression, asthma, allergies, high chloresterol, insulin-dependent diabetes, alzheimer’s, and even certain cancers. He champions no less than 6-8 ounces a day and shares case studies in his book where patients treated with hydration therapy experienced a reversal in their conditions!
Popular Drinks
A popular misconception is that coffee, tea, juice, sodas, or alcohol can help hydrate our bodies, but they do not! Delicious though they are, neither do sorbets, gelatos, ice cream, milkshakes, popsicals, or chocolate drinks. Sorry to say, but nothing takes the place of water!
A New Lifestyle
The truth is that if we’re not used to drinking much water, guzzling 6-8 glasses a day can seem like a chore. Some don’t even like the taste.
Athletes appreciate the importance because they know that proper water intake helps boost energy and build muscle tone. But the rest of us may need to get a little creative to make the task more appealing. So, here are a few ideas:
- Invest in 2-3 glass or steel cannisters (never plastic) that you can have with you in your car, your desk, the gym, outdoors, and all of your other activities. (http://amzn.to/1WEvV74) Never be without your water so you can sip happily throughout the day. Be sure to wash them with soap and dry them thoroughly every night.
- Flavor your water naturally. Never add or drink waters with artificial sweeteners. You can make your water more tasty with any of these refreshing combinations: organic lemon or orange slices, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, or cucumbers. Not only does these make your water look beautiful, it tastes delicious!
- Mix your sparkling water with a touch of lime and mint—so refreshing!
- Sip your water hot, with a splash of lemon, like tea. You’ll grow to love it!
Ideal Schedule
Here’s a helpful schedule for drinking water (hot, cold or room temperature):
- Drink 2 glasses of water 30 minutes before breakfast, coffee, tea or whatever your morning ritual is. Water hydrates and prepares our digestive system for solid foods and helps everything work optimally.
- Have another 2 glasses 30 minutes before lunch.
- Sip your next 2 glasses mid afternoon.
- Drink 1 more 30 minutes before dinner.
- Enjoy your last glass before going to bed.
Water Sources and Filters
The most convenient and affordable source of water is, or course, tap water. At less than a penny a gallon, it’s a bargain. In the U.S., for the most part, tap water is safe to drink. However children, the elderly, the immuno-compromised, and the sick may need to take extra precautions.
My husband is a cancer survivor and one of our health strategies was to invest in a home filter that removes harmful contaminants from the water. After researching many types, we learned that the reverse osmosis is the best system (http://amzn.to/1Viz9xF) because it removes up to 99% of contaminants. Depending where you live, these contaminants can include arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, and bacteria. That’s a long list!
The RO filter fits easily under our kitchen sink and makes the water taste crisp and clean. My husband also loves it because the filters must be replaced every six months and this design makes the process quick and easy.
Your health is a treasured possession. With it, you are able to live, love and pursue your dreams. If you have not been giving your body the water it needs to thrive, begin today! And here’s wishing you a full healed, healthy and whole life!
(Please note: Do not use the information provided in this or other Healed, Healthy and Whole articles for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing yourself medication or other treatment. The articles in this blog/newsletter should never be used as a substitute for speaking with your physician or health care professional about a medical problem you may be experiencing.)
I used to sip on a large cup of coffee throughout the workday. Some time ago, I replaced the coffee cup with a water container. I still drink coffee in the morning (and usually the evening) but during the workday I’m drinking water all day. I think this has been the single most effective change in my diet that allowed me to drop over 20 pounds. I feel great and love drinking water all day long. It also forces me to get up from my desk periodically and move around to answer nature’s call. 🙂