Trim LinesGettingto KnowH 2 0The medical communitytends to examine the solutesof the body for imbalances,which is important,but it is critical to alsoconsider the solvent. Afterall, it is the fluids of thebody that transport prettymuch everything via theblood, lymph, cerebrospinalfluid, saliva, urine,synovial fluid, extracellularfluid, tears andmilk in lactating females.Nothing would happen ifeverything were dry.by Vreni Gurd<strong>OpenRoad</strong> driver |38
Fluids are needed withineach cell to keep them juicyand round so they can functionproperly. Our organs can be consideredwater balloons sloshing aroundin the sea of water that is our abdominalcavity. Water is the major ingredient inALL the fluids necessary for our survival.Water also conducts electricity, whichis important in many functions of thebody, most famously, that of the heart.Remember that 75% of our bodies aremade up of water, and 85% of our brainsare made up of water. Basically, as we agewe tend to dry out.Because water is so critical to the functionof EVERYTHING, and we get ridof water daily through urine, sweat andbreathing, our bodies have very elaboratemethods of preserving and prioritizingwater when not enough is consumed.One top priority is the blood, and thebody does what it can to maintain aproper viscosity and composition of bloodelements. So, if a person is dehydrated,water will be selectively taken from areasthat are less important for survival, suchas the joints (ouch!) and the lumbar disks,particularly L5, the bottom-most disk(double ouch!). The disks use their watervolume as hydraulic support for weight ofthe upper body. Less hydrated disks aremore prone to flatten or degenerate, causingthe ligaments that interconnect thevertebrae to slacken, possibly resulting ininstability and low-back pain. But at leastthe blood is in good shape.If there is not enough water foradequate blood volume, some capillarybeds (tiniest blood vessels) may close sothat the blood has less distance to travel.Closed capillaries cause resistance inthe arterial system, so more pressure isneeded to pump the blood throughout thebody. Exercise helps reduce blood pressurebecause it keeps capillary beds open. Onecan ask if diuretics (water pills) are reallya good idea for treating high blood pressure!Getting rid of more water may makethe problem worse over time as the bodyadjusts to a further dehydration. Usuallyinitially one’s blood pressure is reducedon diuretics, but eventually most windup on a different form of blood pressuremedication such as beta blockers or aceinhibitors when the diuretics “stop working,”due to further constriction of thearterial system to cope with chronic worseningdehydration.Perhaps it is worth trying to drinkadequate water daily so that the capillarybeds can re-open and blood pressurecan return to normal. According to Dr.Fereydoon Batmanghelidj in his bookDrink half yourbody weight inpounds, in ouncesof pure watereach day.Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, if thereare heart failure issues, water intakeshould be increased gradually over time toallow the body to slowly reduce its drive forsodium retention, and increase its abilityto produce urine. Caution should also beexercised if suffering from edema.Most of us can increase the amount ofwater we drink more quickly. Drink halfyour body weight in pounds, in ouncesof pure water each day (0.033 kg in litres).Measure it so you know you are gettingenough. Soda pop, caffeinated beveragesand alcohol do not count as they are diureticsand will cause you to lose water, sodrink an extra cup of water for each cupof those beverages you consume. Qualitymilk, bone broths and fresh-squeezedjuice may be healthy, but they do nothydrate you either, so only count water inyour hydration efforts!For water to be optimally healthy forus, it should have a hardness factor of 170mg/L and a total dissolved solids (TDS)factor of 300 or greater, according to Dr.Martin Fox on his website www.healthywater.com.According to Fox’s review ofthe research, softer waters are correlatedto greater incidences of heart disease andcancer. Adequate minerals in the waterwill prevent the over-diluting of electrolytes,which creates serious problemsand even death (hyponatremia) when toomuch soft water is consumed. Drinkingwater throughout the day rather than largequantities all at one time will also preventover-dilution of electrolytes.Most bottled waters have far less than300 TDS, and some even advertise thattheir water is demineralized. Brands thatdo have adequate total dissolved solidsinclude Evian, Vittel, Volvic, Fiji andTrinity. Look for the TDS on the label.If the water is too soft (Vancouver’smunicipal water supply is known to bequite soft), add a pinch of organic CelticSea Salt (the gray, moist stuff that sticksto the sides of the container - absolutelydo NOT use white, refined table salt as itis terrible for you) or a pinch of Pascaliteclay to each litre of water you drink. Thiswill not change the taste, but will increasethe hardness and the total dissolved solidsadequately, and will for most of us reducethe need to use the bathroom as we willactually be absorbing the water into ourcells. Water that is hard enough is anexcellent source of minerals that is in aform that is readily usable by our bodies.If you use a lot of salt on your food, usePascalite clay instead. Check your localhealth food store, or order it from PascaliteInc. at 1-800-909-7284.Store water in glass or brass if possible,and out of direct sunlight. Vreni Gurdwas the topgraduating studentin PHE from theUniversity ofToronto in 1992,and is continuallyfurthering her education in exercise,nutrition and health. As a C.H.E.K. 3practitioner and holistic lifestyleconsultant, Vreni’s current Vancouverpractice involves helping clients feelbetter through posture correction,corrective exercise, metabolic typing,and nutrition and lifestyle counseling.Vreni@wellnessworks.wswww.wellnesstips.caThis article provides general information andis not to be construed as medical advice or anendorsement. Educational information providedis not a substitute for regular professionalhealth care advice. Always consult your qualifiedhealth care professional for questions regardingyour well being. <strong>OpenRoad</strong> <strong>Driver</strong> does not warrantthe accuracy of statements. We rely on theauthor to present factual material and cannotaccept responsibility for the accuracy, utility orsafety of the material published.<strong>OpenRoad</strong> driver |39
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