Water is good for you everyone knows and would agree. You are probably thinking to yourself this is rather obvious and doesn't need stating. However, research is revealing a different picture, I might be stating the obvious but most people are ignoring the obvious. You seriously need to think about your fluid intake, if you want to feel better. In the clinic we come across a lot of tired people that certainly look older than they are and tell me they feel older than they are. There are many reasons for fatigue, aches and pains but one of the reasons is dehydration and dehydration is more common than you think.
Drinking enough water relieves pain and joint stiffness. If you suffer from headaches, maybe you are not drinking enough hydrating fluids. When you are dehydrated your cells contract and retain waste products. When you are well hydrated your cells expand allowing them to get rid of their waste products, allowing them to maintain the correct pH balance, enabling the cells to take on nutrients, slowing down the aging process. This very important aspect of health is often over looked by practitioners and patients alike. Being hydrated is fundamental to any health and pain relieving program. But surprisingly is easier said than done for some people.
We all know how important water is, no need to explain. Or is there? Survey after survey tells a completely different story. We are not taking water seriously enough. Research has revealed that many people are dehydrated and that some people are very dehydrated. As we get older the situation seems to get worse. Being dehydrated is very aging, a bit like a dried up old prune. Our organs find it extremely stressful trying to function correctly under these circumstances. Over a period of time being in this state will have some very serious health consequences.
However many people including children tell me how they drink plenty during the day. It is possible to drink yourself into dehydration? The answer is yes it is. It is estimated that a lot of people are only getting one third of the hydrating fluids they need!
Water is -
a) Major component of blood
b) Prevents constipation
c) Flushes out toxins
d) Prevents muscle stiffness
e) Prevents joints from being painful
f) Maintains a normal metabolism
g) Temperature control
h) Needed for protein digestion
I am often asked 'how much water should I drink'?
The answer will depend on several things like your activity levels, the climate, how much you sweat, how much alcohol you drink, the amount of stress in your life, how much tea and coffee you drink and what you eat - some food is very dehydrating and some are hydrating. The average person will need about 6 to 8 glasses a day. This amount would increase if for instance if you are in training and live in a hot country.
What are the symptoms of dehydration? This list of symptoms is not exclusive to dehydration it must be added.
Before you consider taking a medication, (which by the way is also dehydrating) for the symptoms listed below, first make sure you are well hydrated and you are eating well. Many people find these symptoms disappear or at the very least lessen to a large extent, it may take a week or two before you notice a difference.
* Frequent headaches
* Spots and blemishes
* Stiff muscles
* Painful joints
* Dry skin
* Saggy skin
* Lack of energy
* Hunger
* Fluid retention
* Fuzzy thinking
Did you know? Research has revealed Research shows that the brain gets confused between hunger and thirst. People often eat when in fact our bodies are crying out for a hydrating drink.
Balance It is important to start increasing your consumption of hydrating drinks and decrease your intake of dehydrating drinks.
Hydrating fluids - water, herbal teas, fruity teas, vegetable juices and fruit juices diluted with at least 50% water
Dehydrating fluids - coffee, tea, sodas, milk shakes, alcohol, chocolate drinks etc
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