The Curative Properties of Water

The human body is made up of almost 2/3 water. When your body loses 2 percent of its total fluid, you begin to experience the symptoms of dehydration. Even a slight loss of body fluids affects the brain; and we all know the extent to which the brain controls the rest of the body. Some of the more common effects are thirst, loss of appetite, dry skin, dark urine, dry mouth, and fatigue. Fluid loss of 5 percent leads to increased heart rate and respiration, decreased perspiration and higher body temperature, extreme fatigue, and muscle cramps. A loss of 10 percent is so severe that dehydration becomes an emergency that you need to treat immediately.

Each of us reacts differently to dehydration because we’re all unique. Age, size, and health all play a role in how we react physically, but not drinking enough water can lead to some common disorders we normally don’t think of as being caused by dehydration. For example:

High blood pressure: Blood loses gases as water leaves the circulatory system and, therefore, blood vessels constrict in order to prevent further loss.

High cholesterol: One of the main components of cell membranes is cholesterol. As a defense mechanism, the body increases the production of cholesterol in order to keep cells from dehydrating.

High blood sugar: When blood volume decreases as a result of dehydration, circulation through the capillaries decreases and the concentration of blood sugar rises in relation to other blood chemicals.

Decreased muscle building: Muscles need water for protein synthesis. When there’s not enough water, muscle fibers begin to break down and strength levels decline.

Increased joint pain: Water is a major component of cartilage in the body, which includes joints. It also carries the nutrients that help build cartilage and prevent inflammation, abrasion and wear and tear. Furthermore, because water is stored in the vertebrae, it acts to support the weight of the upper body and prevent back pain.

Erectile Dysfunction: In order to get an erection, there needs to be adequate blood flow to the penis. Less water means less blood volume, which means less blood flow. Less blood flow is one of the main reasons for erectile dysfunction.

Increased buildup of toxins: The kidney is the body’s natural dialysis system, filtering the entire blood supply and removing toxins from the body. A good fluid level will keep the kidneys functioning properly and help the body rid itself of toxic substances.

You can see how drinking adequate amounts of water can prevent the onset of many disorders and keep your mind and body in a state of balance. But unless you’re exercising vigorously or working out in the sun, you don’t need to drink 8 glasses of water a day as some health gurus claim. Many of the foods and liquids we drink have enough water to keep us hydrated. A good way to gauge how dehydrated you are, is to look at the color of your urine. If it’s clear or a very pale yellow, it’s a good sign that you’re hydrated. If it begins to turn dark, you need to drink more. That’s all there is to it.

From: Stress, Disease & the Mind-Body Connection: Using the Power of the Brain for Health and Self-Healing by Dr. Andrew Goliszek