By Dr. Joey Shulman D.C., RNCP

The human body is comprised of about 70% water. Next to air, water is the most vital substance our systems need to function properly. Water is involved in every aspect of the body’s functions, including digestion and excretion and absorption of vital nutrients. It is responsible for maintaining normal temperature, a normal acid/alkali environment and carrying waste material from the body. The human body can survive for five weeks without food, but only five days without water.

Many of us no longer experience the urge to drink, making water consumption feel like a chore. If you no longer get thirsty, this is the most important time to hydrate. A lack of the thirst sensation is an indication that the body has adapted to its state of dehydration and no longer tells the brain to trigger the thirst signal. Once you begin to hydrate yourself with water on a daily basis, you will find your thirst sensation is quickly restored and drinking water will become part of your normal routine.

You’re not sick, you’re thirsty!
In addition to maintaining optimal health and wellness, water offers healing principles that can benefit several health conditions such as:

• Heartburn
• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Angina
• Fatigue
• Crohn’s disease
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Dry eyes and skin
• Weight loss

Once you start to increase your daily water consumption, you will find your energy levels increase naturally.

What type and how much?
With the bottled water industry doing brisk business, many consumers are confused about which is the best type of water to purchase. To avoid impurities such as e.coli, coliform, lead, copper and excess chlorine, reverse osmosis is the best quality water available. Steam and distilled water sources are also excellent choices. Carbon filters that attach to your sink or filtered water containers offer moderate protection against larger impurities but allow smaller microbes to squeak through.

To ensure you are properly hydrated, it is recommended you drink six to eight glasses of water per day.

Water tips:

• Avoid dehydrators such as coffee, sugary juices and pop. Make fresh, clean water your number one beverage choice
• Try squeezing fresh lemon into your water twice per day. In addition to being a metabolic booster that is helpful for weight loss, lemon is also a powerful detoxifier!
• Become familiar with hydrating and delicious herbal teas. There are a multitude of tasty options to choose from, including berry, mint, chamomile and vanilla hazelnut herbal tea.
• As a rule of thumb, one cup of coffee depletes one glass of water. If you do indulge in the morning coffee, make sure to have enough water to re-hydrate yourself.
• If you are missing a bit of sweetness, make a mixture of ¼ natural juice with ¾ water.
• Make sure to re-hydrate with water following exercise.
• Invest in a home water system to encourage the entire family to drink more.