Water -the elixir of life. While the human body consists of over 70% water, few of us drink enough of it. However, water is involved in every aspect of our biological processes, including excretion, circulation and digestion. In fact, water is the basis of all of our bodily fluids including urine, blood and lymph.
Water not only helps to keep our joints lubricated it also helps to keep us young and youthful looking. Moreover, water is responsible for transporting nutrients to various parts of our body where they are needed.
While most health workers recommend 8 glasses of water per day, in his book, the Body's Many Cries for Water, Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj says that in reality you should be drinking ? the number of your body's weight (pounds) in water per day (ounces).
So, for example, if you are a woman that weighs 120 lbs, you should drink 60 oz of water per day. Dr. Batmanghelidj says that a number of health problems can be alleviated or even eliminated altogether by increasing the amount of water that we drink per day. In fact, he says, what we might mistakenly assume to be hunger may very often be a need in our bodies for water. So, before eating something when you feel hungry, try drinking some water instead to see if this alleviates your desire for food.
Some of the health problems that Dr. Batmanghelidj feels could be helped by increasing the amount of water we drink each day include:
High cholesterol Migraines High blood pressure Back pain Colitis Asthma Diabetes Arthritis
While Dr. Batmanghelidj's views may be controversial in some circles, there is no doubt of the importance that water plays in our lives. The fact that the human body can survive without food for several weeks but only survive for 5 days without water is proof of the role it plays in our overall health.
It is important to stress, therefore, the importance of clean, good quality drinking water.
Many towns and cities do not have the purest of water supplies and it is advised that you have your water tested at least one a year. In many counties you can have this done for free by checking with your local water company or your town. In many cases you will see this information printed right on your water bill. Once you know where you stand with your local water you can then begin to purchase, if necessary, the proper water filter or purifier.
In some areas fluoride or chlorine might be of concern, if so look online for filter to clear it out. There are some excellent shower heads that will filter all the chlorine out of your shower. If you find yourself itchy after a shower, chlorine may be your problem.
You also may find that your local water is actually very pure and won't need a water filter or purifier.
If you are now purchasing water in bottles, make sure that you know the source of the water. Some sources are actually just municipal water placed in fancy bottles.
One of the most important things that you should consider for your health and the health of your family is to make sure that the source of your water is safe and that you are drinking enough of it per day.
The human body is made up of over 75% of water, and as we all know, we cannot live without water. The fact is, we can only survive for a total of 3 days without water. Water has however, been replaced in most diets by soft drinks and other sugar sweetened refreshments. Keep in mind that water is a healthier and necessary for leading yourself towards a better health and longevity.
Your own personal need for water can vary greatly due to exercise, weight, and temperature. Research has proven that over 2/3 of adults don't get the water they need on a daily basis. By drinking water on a regular basis you can replenish your body and keep it well hydrated and functioning as it should be.
A majority of us wait until we are thirsty before we drink water. Keep in mind, this way isn't a reliable gauge of the water needs for the body. By the time you are thirsty you have already lost two of more cups of the body's water supply. Therefore, drinking water regularly is much better than simply waiting until you are thirsty.
It is very important that you don't substitute beverages with alcohol and caffeine for water. The reason behind this is that those types of beverages act as a diuretic and can cause you to lose more weight through increased urination. You may think and feel as if you are getting more water through these beverages, although the fact is that you are letting it go almost as fast as you consume it.
Anytime you exercise, you need more water. Due to perspiration, your body will lose quite a bit of water. For each pound lost due to exercise, you need to drink 2 cups of water. Even when you lay down to sleep, your body loses water. By drinking a glass or more of water before you go to sleep, you can wake up with your body functioning as it should be.
It should become more obvious that when you are sick you'll need more water than any other tine. When you get a cold or the flu, your body can become dehydrated quite quickly. You can help to prevent this by drinking more water at times when you become sick.
There are several mixed opinions as to whether purified water will actually provide benefit. This is a subject you should explore yourself as you determine the best type of water for yourself.
Always make it a habit to drink water on a daily basis. You should keep a bottle of water with you at all times and drink it throughout the day. You should also teach yourself to drink water instead of other beverages that don't replenish the nutrients your body needs.
Both Patricia Zelkovsky & Ronald Goodpaster are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Patricia Zelkovsky has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, Low Carb Diet and Lose Weight. For perfect hydration Patricia recommends the addition of M-Powerment Water daily to your drinking water. For more information please visit: . Patricia Zelkovsky's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Ronald Goodpaster has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Health and lose 10 pounds. Ron Goodpaster is a loving husband and father of six beautiful children. He has written many articles on health and nutrition. You Please visit his website at