Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Water - arguably the most powerful healing substance known to man

Many of us know that an average healthy adult needs to drink at least 8 glasses or 2 litres of water a day, and that the average person cannot survive for more than a few days without water. But do we know why?

Why we need water

Water is needed to regulate body temperature, control basic functions, lessen the burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out body waste, lubricate joints and assist in the transportation of nutrients to our cells.

When our body doesn’t get enough water, dehydration occurs. The results of dehydration are many and varied but some symptoms include a drop in brain function, slow metabolism, fuzzy short-term memory and bad breath

Other negative effects include arthritis, loss of muscle tone, excess weight gain, dry skin, migraines, hypertension, digestive complications, and persistent constipation. Over time, more serious complications can arise, such as incre3ased toxicity and even organ failure.

Water and the Kidneys

Dehydration can be extremely damaging for the kidneys, especially for senior citizens, as their kidney functions may have deteriorated to some degree.

A healthy adult’s kidneys excrete approximately 2 litres of urine and waste per day. When there is not enough water intake, there is nothing in which to flush the body’s waste products such as uric acid and urea. As such, these substances build up in the body, leading to kidney stones and putting additional strain on the kidneys. Over time, toxins can build up within the body, leading to many types of complications.

Maintaining a healthy water diet

There are a few things you can do to ensure you get sufficient water daily:

* Never wait until you feel thirsty before you start drinking, because by then you are already mildly dehydrated.

* What you can do is to buy yourself a couple of 1-litre flasks, lwave one at home and bring the other to work. Fill the flasks with water and make sure you finish them every day.

* Eat plenty of fruits and green vegetables as about 20% of water can come from our diet.

* If you are going to be outdoors, bring along a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated; after exercising, drink at least a glass of water to replenish moisture lost through perspiring.

* If you work in an air-conditioned area, it is even more important to monitor your water intake as the dry air can cause rapid water loss.

Do this and be on your way to a healthier lifestyle today?

This article is taken from a publication by the National Kidney Function