Are you Dehydrated?

Low back ache, frequent kidney infections, dark urine, headaches, sports injuries, constipation, tiredness, adrenal fatique, poor sleep patterns and much more can be due to you not actually drinking enough pure water.  Why do we hear so much about water? Well basically our bodies and cells are made up of many parts such as proteins, fats and water makes up about 60% of your body weight.

Dehydration is continued loss of water from the body without it being replenished. The water balance in the body can be upset by drinking alcohol, blood loss, exposure to dry air as when flying, vomiting, diarrhoea, crying, physical activity such as strenuous sports or through work. Other liquids best avoided are tea, coffee and soft drinks. The thirst mechanism signals the body to drink water when it needs it. With age the thirst sensation diminishes, so the elderly and the very young are most at risk of suffering from dehydration.

The main functions of water in the body include some of the following:

• Lubrication of the cells to ensure they can do their work well.
• Helps form bulk in the large intestine and prevent constipation
• Carries vital nutrients from your food and oxygen to all cells in the body
• Regulates body temperature, e.g you body sweats when you have a fever to help cool your body
• Water moistens tissues such as those in your eyes, nose and mouth
• Water helps lubricate joints in your body and prevent friction and pain
• Flushes waste matter and water soluble toxins out of the body and thereby lessens the burden on the kidneys
• Water helps protect your vital organs and tissues against damage when you fall or have an accident

Check the colour of your urine, if it is very dark or you are not passing urine every 3 hours or so you may need more water.

It is best to drink filtered tap water or bottled still water to hydrate yourself. Up to two litres per day is recommended. Start slowly and work your way up.You will urinate more frequently at first as the body is flushing out built up toxins.

Avoid drinking 15minutes before eating and 30 minutes after eating to ensure your natural digestive enzymes have a chance to work and are not washed away.