Dehydration

The human body is composed of a mere 25% solid matter and an astounding 75% water. Unfortunately, the importance of drinking water, especially for a living body comprised mostly of water, is not emphasized enough in our society which pushes dehydrating beverages such as coffee, soda, alcohol, and energy drinks. Bodies lacking enough water are unable to cool down which can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Being dehydrated can also affect the ability to concentrate, reduces energy, and hurts organ function. Furthermore, acne, pimples, and breakouts mean toxins are being eliminated through the skin instead of being flushed from a well-hydrated body.

Most of us know that water provides sustenance for the body and is also essential in the elimination of waste. However, the significance of hydration goes far, far beyond these two facts! If the body is unable to remove toxins because it is not being "watered" properly, the build-up of toxins in the body (toxemia) will have dangerous and disastrous consequences. Bacteria and viruses are much less likely to develop into full-blown illnesses in a body that is sufficiently hydrated, and drinking a lot of water is one of the best and most efficient ways to combat disease. Simply stated, chronic disease generally follows dehydration. Years of failing to drink enough water precedes diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ulcers, Alzheimer's, hypertension, and cancer. The longer a person goes without drinking water the "more severe and long-lasting" the body's "toxicity crisis" will be, as years of not drinking enough water causes a major build-up of toxins in the body. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that their bodies' natural thirst, or feeling thirsty, is the body's desperate cry for hydration. Few understand that feeling dry-mouthed and thirsty means a body is already seriously dehydrated!! A well hydrated body means rarely, if ever, experiencing thirst.

Besides feeling thirsty, what are other symptoms of dehydration? The answer may surprise you. Feeling tired, stressed, sluggish, achy, and depressed are often symptoms of insufficient hydration. The organ that requires the most water is the brain, and without it the brain's energy supply is reduced. A reduction of the brain's energy supply inhibits its vital functions, and this is "a situation most people call depression." A lower level of brain energy can lead to stress from even daily tasks which can bring on feelings of anxiety, fear, and anger. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is mainly the result of "progressive brain dehydration" that happens due to the body's inability "to remove all metabolic waste matter and cellular debris."

Because so few people are aware of the importance of hydration, many use pain medications to ease the discomforts most likely caused by dehydration. These discomforts arise from rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain, migraines, hangover headaches, angina, lack of energy, and other forms of physical pain. However, taking pain relievers like analgesics, antacids and antihistamines can cause "irreversible damage to the body". Not only do pain medications fail to aid the body's real problem, which is usually dehydration, they can damage the body's internal communication systems by "cutting off the connection between the neurotransmitter (histamine) and its subordinate regulators like vasopressin." Instead, pain killers essentially "sabotage" correct waste elimination, cut off the body's "emergency routes" for water supply and lay the foundation for chronic illness. Prescription pain medications act to basically stop alerting the body as to its hydration needs. Allergy medications, or antihistamines, keep histamines from doing their job, which is to balance the body's water supply. Once a regimen of dehydrating pain medications is begun, the same kind of pain will be experienced repeatedly, and will probably worsen!

Pain relievers are not the only dehydrating substances that people use on a regular basis. Coffee, wine, beer, sports drinks, soft drinks, and juices do contain water but also ingredients like alcohol, sugars, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and other chemicals, all of which are very dehydrating. Caffeine is a diuretic which causes frequent urination. Sugar spikes the body's blood sugar levels. The drastic response the body has to these substances causes it to give up large amounts of water. For every cup of coffee or soft drink you consume you need to drink about three cups of water to put back the fluids lost in the body.

Dehydration is a very serious problem and one that is totally overlooked, yet is the basis for numerous emotional, physical, and mental problems, complaints, and illnesses. The effects of dehydration are severe, numerous, and can be deadly if not given proper attention. Drinking more water will make you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally, not to mention contribute to long-lasting health! What a revelation that one of the simplest, yet one of the most effective and seriously important behaviors for good health is drinking more water!! Is that easy or what?! So, drink and drink and drink some more (water) to, and for, your good health!!