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.