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Water & The
Body
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Do you know that you are 60% to 70% water? Since most of
your body is water, we need lots of fresh water every
day to stay healthy. Every function in your body takes
place in water. It is the solvent that removes the
nutrients, hormones, antibodies and oxygen through your
blood stream and lymphatic system. Water is also
necessary to move the waste out of your body. If you are
not drinking enough water, your body has to recycle
dirty water and every metabolic function in your body
does not work as efficiently.
Water Loss
Adults lose nearly 6 pints of water every day! We lose
half a pint a day from the soles of our feet. Another
one to two pints are lost from breathing. Perspiration
accounts for another pint. Another three pints are lost
in urine. Urine output decreases and becomes very
concentrated when you don't take in enough water. Since
there is no way for your body to store water, it sets up
a priority system for the amount that has been made
available by intake. |
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When you are
dehydrated, your body rations and recycles water. All water
losing functions are reduced. Toxic wastes are dumped into
tissues, fat, joints and muscles instead being eliminated.
Your Lungs
Your lung tissue are moistened by water as they take in
oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Allergies
and asthmatic symptoms may be a sign of not drinking enough
water. When you increase your water intake these symptoms
may lessen.
Body Temperature
Water is your body's coolant regulating your body
temperature through perspiration. Sweating keeps you from
overheating, especially during exercise and hot weather.
It's also important to remember that your body needs as much
water in cold weather as it does in hot weather. Heat
exhaustion can occur when your body doesn't have enough
water to regulate your body temperature. Symptoms include
excessive perspiration, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea
and vomiting. As little as 3% water loss can results in
serious health problems. A 15% water loss can result in
death.
Your Brain
Your brain is about 90% water. Although the brain is only
1/50th of the body weight. It uses 1/20th of the blood
supply. Water is an important key to concentration. When
your body is well hydrated, you will notice an increase
clarity in thinking. With less water the level of energy
generation in the brain is decreased. Depression, headaches,
memory loss and chronic fatigue syndrome are frequent
symptoms of dehydration.
Your Heart
Your heart is 75% water and your blood is 85% water. Good
hydration increases the efficiency of your cardiovascular
system. Hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and
cholesterol may all be lowered by an increase in water
consumption.
Your Kidneys
Your kidneys are constantly filtering your blood,
concentrating waste and sending them out into your urine.
When there isn't enough water, your kidneys have to recycle
dirty water as they work to remove waste from your body.
Overtime dehydration can damage your kidneys permanently.
When the kidneys don't have enough water to function well,
the liver takes over some of the kidney's work, decreasing
it's ability to convert stored fat and energy, which can
result in weight gain. As you drink more, your bladder will
become hypersensitive and you'll be making frequent trips to
the bathroom. As your body adjusts, you'll urinate less
often and in larger amounts.
Your Digestive System
Food needs water to properly digest. Water carries nutrients
to the cells through the blood, increasing your water intake
tends to reduce the symptoms of heartburn, acid stomach,
gastritis and constipation. Chronic dehydration may result
in weight gain, poor muscle tone, including size and water
retention. Water is essential to any weight loss plan. For
every 25 pounds that you exceed your body weight you should
increase your water consumption by one eight ounce glass.
Your Joints
Your bones are 22% water, your muscles are 75% water. Water
lubricates your joints and allows you to move freely. The
connective tissue around your joints needs plenty of water
to maintain its elasticity and allow ease of movement. When
the cartilage is well hydrated, the two opposing surfaces
glide freely and friction damage is minimal. Increasing the
amount of water that you drink may relieve arthritic pain.
Your Back
The vertebrate in your back depend upon the hydraulic
properties of water in order to move. The water stored in
the spinal disc core supports 75% of the upper body weight,
the fibrous materials around the disc support 25%. Back pain
is a common symptom of dehydration. Drinking plenty of water
will frequently decrease pain. Water also washes the harmful
waste from muscle tissue, the actual cause of the pain
associated with dehydration.
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