Water: The Vital Fluid

Chronic dehydration is one of the most prevalent health problems in the world. It is a key factor behind many common conditions including pain, inflammation and allergies. Chronic dehydration compromises health on many levels.


Water the vehicle, lubricator and shock absorber Water is the solvent that transports nutrients and electrical energy from our brain to our cells. It is central in temperature regulation, acts as a shock absorber to vital organs such as our brain and spinal chord and provides lubrication for our joints. Dehydration reduces energy levels and our body's ability to maintain itself. Water removes toxins Water flushes wastes from our cells and carries them out of the body. Urination, sweating and mucous from our sinuses are all ways our body detoxifies. Even our feces contain water which lubricates fiber and stimulates excretion. Dehydration compromises all elements of detoxification causing a build up of wastes which circulate and harm all tissues. Dehydration accelerates aging At birth our body comprises almost 80% water while the water content of senior citizens is around 50%. This suggests that depletion of fluids is central to the aging process itself. Many people ignore the signs of dehydration or satiate them with coffee, alcohol or soft drinks. These aggravate dehydration due to their diuretic effects and are acid-forming in our body. How can I recognize dehydration? Thirst is a late sign of dehydration. If you are thirsty or have a dry mouth you are already very dehydrated. Poor concentration, mood swings, headaches and other aches and pains are all signs of dehydration. How much should I drink? We should drink a minimum of 2 liters per day of pure water. Herbal teas or vegetable juices are adequate substitutes. Alcohol, coffee or soft drinks are not. For each glass you consume of these drinks you should drink an additional glass of water to counteract their dehydrating effects. If you eat dry foods such as breads or crackers, live in a hot climate, exercise intensely or use saunas or steam rooms you should drink more water accordingly. The ideal water intake will produce 8-10 copious urinations per day. This ensures that our tissues are adequately hydrated and our kidneys and bladder supported in the removal of acidic wastes from our body. Drink high quality water The quality of our drinking water is important. Public water supplies often contain toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides and hormone residues. Water may be treated with harmful chemicals including chlorine and fluoride. Choose high quality filtered alkaline or mineral water when possible. When should I drink? Drink 1 or 2 glasses of water first thing in the morning. This promotes elimination of waste products metabolized over night. Throughout the day drink 1 or 2 glasses at least half an hour prior to meals or 2½ hours afterwards. Try not to drink with meals as this dilutes our digestive juices, inhibiting digestion. Being thirsty with meals is a sign you are not drinking enough away from them. A gradual increase in you body fluid levels will bring many benefits. Energy and concentration will improve as your body is able to function more efficiently. You will look and feel younger, aches and pains will fade. Maintaining a healthy fluid balance is one of the keys to a healthy and happy life. Related articles: Boosting Energy, Why Detox?