Water it does a body good!

July 19, 2015 –

The body’s first response to dehydration is, drumroll please …. Thirst! Your body is hoping to increase water intake and decrease urine output to try to conserve water.  And, did you know the body’s symptoms for thirst are the same as they are for hunger? Guess what, maybe you’re just thirsty, not hungry!

There are several signs that you may be getting dehydrated and they start at your extremities (aka, digits – your fingers and toes).  The digits become dry and cracked.   When water inside your body becomes scarce, urine will become concentrated and more yellow in color.  As dehydration increases even more symptoms will begin to appear. The following are further signs and symptoms of dehydration:

•       dry mouth
•       eyes stop making tears
•       sweating may stop
•       muscle cramps
•       nausea and vomiting
•       heart palpitations
•       light-headedness (especially when standing)

The body tries to maintain cardiac output (the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart to the body); and if the amount of fluid in the intravascular space is decreased, then the body tries to compensate for this decrease by increasing the heart rate. This causes the blood vessels to constrict so blood pressure is maintained and blood continues to flow to the vital organs of the body. This coping mechanism begins to fail as the level of dehydration increases. The organs are now failing in both ability and function, thus the metabolism slows. With severe dehydration, confusion and weakness will occur as the brain and other body organs receive less blood. Finally, coma, organ failure, and death will eventually occur if the dehydration remains untreated.

Unless you are somewhere in the middle of a desert with no chance of rescue … there is NO REASON to get dehydrated.  And by the way, beer, milk, soda, vodka, juice, tea … NOT WATER!  Yes, they have water in them and may be your choice of refreshment, but still not water. These products were water before sugar, additives, and preservatives were introduced.  Now the beverage must be filtered by the body’s entire gastrointestinal tract before it can be utilized.

Just drink wonderful, clear, magnificent water, please. To keep your metabolism boosted and burning calories, stay hydrated!

In good health,

Bob

Here is a helpful formula to determine your individual water intake:
Body weight/2.2 = body weight by kilogram (drink 1 oz. per Kilo. Daily)
Example:  Weight 188 / 2.2 = 85.45oz. (approximately 5 16oz. bottles) per day

“Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues.”  – Kevin R. Stone