Why is water so important?
Water is needed for all bodily processes. Without water in some form, we would die in about three days.
Detoxification
Sufficient water helps to flush toxins from the body. Think about it: if clear colorless water goes in and yellow water comes out, something is obviously being removed. Trust your body to know what needs to be removed and what needs to be kept in your body, and drink enough water that your body can apply its knowledge.
Dehydration
If you don’t get enough water, you can become dehydrated. Many if not most people are chronically dehydrated, which can cause daytime fatigue among other problems. Dehydration makes exercise more difficult, since muscles need water to function and meet the greater demand for action. A mineral supplement such as Kona Gold along with the water can help the cells rehydrate; proper mineral balance allows the body to maintain an optimal amount of water, retaining or excreting as needed.
Thirst sensations should kick in when there is only a slight deficiency. However, since many of us have spent decades ignoring our thirst signals or mistaking them for hunger, in many people the sensation of thirst is not felt until dehydration is starting to set in.
How much water is needed?
A good rule to follow is to drink a half ounce per day per pound of weight. A person weighing 128 pounds, then, should drink about 64 ounces of water per day, or about half a gallon.
That sounds like an awful lot, but we get quite a bit of water from vegetables, soups, and herbal tea, as well as from fruit if tolerated. There is also a lot of water in other beverages, such as juice, milk, soft drinks, and coffee, but these are not recommended for a variety of reasons. Coffee and alcoholic beverages, although they contain water, are actually dehydrating.
Water needs can vary considerably by individual, body weight, ways we handle fluids, amount of sweating, air temperature, humidity, activity level, the ability of our kidneys to concentrate fluid, and the use of diuretics such as caffeine, alcohol, and some prescription drugs. Although the half ounce per pound is a good general rule, a more accurate measure is to keep an eye on your urination: at least once every four waking hours, and the urine should be very pale yellow or straw-colored.
Chlorine, fluoride, and other water pollution
Chlorine is added to most municipal water supplies for the purpose of killing potentially dangerous microorganisms. But since it’s toxic to potentially infectious microorganisms, which have a lot in common with our cells, it’s not surprising that chlorine is toxic to our cells and to us as well. Chlorine has been linked to diseases from arthritis to cancer. Part of its toxicity lies in its ability to combine with other chemicals that find their way into the water supply, making them more poisonous. Ironically, the chlorine ends up making the water more toxic even as it tries to make it safer by killing harmful microbes.
Fluoride is added to many water supplies, supposedly to prevent dental cavities. More and more evidence is surfacing that not only does fluoride not protect against cavities, it can actually make the teeth softer and more prone to decay. It can be harmful to the entire body as well, making bones more likely to fracture and increasing the risk of cancer.
BPA and other chemicals can come from plastic water bottles, especially if they’re left in the sun. Glass or metal water bottles are best, and if you use plastic bottles, don’t leave them in a hot car. Avoid bottled water with a plastic taste; that plastic taste means that you’re taking in plasticizers and related chemicals.
Water filtering and cleaning
Most water filters will remove chlorine, but fluoride is a smaller molecule and is more difficult to remove. The best and almost the only ways to remove fluoride are reverse osmosis and steam distillation. Good quality water filters can be obtained through CAM.
Types of water
There are different types of water? Water is water, right? Actually, many companies have gotten into the water market, selling water with a few teaspoons of fruit juice, or flavoring or vitamins, and then charging premium prices. Don’t be fooled. Some of these designer waters contain coloring or artificial sweeteners that are harmful. Sports drinks, although they contain beneficial water and minerals, also contain colors, flavors, and sweeteners that aren’t good for you.
Getting used to water
If your beverages of choice are other than plain water, it can take some deliberate action to get used to the natural liquid that we’re meant to drink.
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of keeping a bottle or glass of water with you and taking a sip whenever you think about it.
The bottom line
Water: good. Most stuff in water, added deliberately or otherwise: bad. The trick is to identify and eliminate contaminants in water while drinking plenty of it.
