Let's Talk Water

     The one thing as humans we can not live without, for any period of time is water. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, our blood 80%, our brains 75% and our liver a whopping 96% water. We can not produce our own water, it must be replenished, by us, everyday, if we are to remain healthy. Our bodies will die without water within 3-5 days. It is essential that we give our body what it needs.
  
     There are 5 vital things water does in your body: 
1)Water helps remove the dangerous toxins floating around inside you taken in from the air you breathe, the food you eat and the chemicals taken in by using various products on your skin and hair.
2) Water transports oxygen, vitamin, nutrients and glucose to all your cells.
3) Water also helps regulate your body temperature. Allows the body to sweat.
4) Water helps cushion your joints as well as acts as shock absorbers for your eyes, brain and spinal cord.
5)  It is also involved in the chemical and metabolic reactions in your body. Helps to break down the foods we eat.
     You need water to keep your metabolism working properly. In order for this to happen, there is a certain level of water in each of our bodies that we need to maintain. If we don't keep that amount,
our bodies will start to dehydrate. We've all heard we need to drink 8-12 glasses of water a day. I hear what you're thinking, "OMG, you've got to be kidding, I'd be running to the bathroom every five minutes." Don't get your undies all in a bunch. If your body isn't used to getting the correct amount of water, you will make several more trips to the potty than you're used to. But, that will only last a couple of weeks, while your body, kidneys especially, get used to being bathed in the right amounts of water. However, that will settle down.
      An easy way to think of it is to think of your car's need for oil. If your oil level gets too low, your
engine will start to run rough. If you totally deplete your oil supply in your car, your engine will seize up. Same with your body. We NEED to drink at least eight glasses of water a day for our bodies to run right.
     For a time our amazing bodies will find ways to adjust to the lack of water. At first it will start retaining water to compensate. But if it isn't replenished regularly throughout the day, dehydration sets in. Not drinking enough water stymies' the body ability to function well, in all facets.
     Signals that you NEED TO REHYDRATE are swelling in hands and feet, low energy, lethargy, mental confusion and joint pain. Your blood pressure can fall to dangerously low levels. Blood clots form easier. Normal kidney function is impaired. You may get terrible constipation. Lesser, but no more healthy signals when you don't drink enough water is very dry skin, urinary tract infections, recurring headaches and constipation.
     Don't wait until your thirsty to drink water, by then many of your bodily functions have been affected. What happens then is you gulp down 1 -2 glasses all at once, which isn't good either. You're liable to get a belly ache. Drinking through out the day, replenishing as it is getting used, is best.
     And just so you know, drinking coffee, tea (iced or hot), juices, pops and energy drinks do NOT react or do the same job inside your body as water. Even if their made with water. They are full of sugars, sodium and a host of other stuff that make the bodies systems work at breaking those down, rather than doing the function of keeping everything cleansed, balanced and running right.
     Soooo....stop what you're doing and go grab a refreshing glass of water and drink. Your body will thank you.