Water - it's a matter of life or death

How much water do you drink? If you aren't getting at least 48 ounces of liquid every day, you're probably one of the 80% of Americans who are "sub-clinically" dehydrated.

 

That's an astounding percentage, but it makes sense. I know a lot of people who say they never drink water. The only liquids they drink are  coffee, tea, milk, juice, and soft drinks or alcohol.

 

We can get about 20% of our daily needs from food - especially fruits and vegetables that are made almost entirely of water. But we still need good, clean, water to help purify our systems and wash out the toxins we're exposed to every day - as well as to keep our bodies hydrated.

 

I've been doing some research for Robin at Renu Herbs, and learned some things I didn't know.

 

For instance, when you're dehydrated your blood volume drops, and thus your blood pressure drops. Your blood also becomes thicker, and harder for your heart to pump. Dehydration is a major cause of heart attacks!

 

Pharmaceutical companies would rather you didn't know that you can do a great deal to protect your heart health (and your overall health) merely by drinking adequate amounts of water.

 

The studies I read said that amateur athletes, and especially older athletes, often fall victim to the kind of dehydration that can put their entire systems into shock - and cause them to literally drop dead.

 

I don't know many golfers, but I know two men who suffered heart attacks on the golf course. One survived, the other did not.

 

The reason older athletes are more prone to dehydration is that some diseases and many prescription medications seem to block the body's natural thirst mechanism - so people are dying of dehydration without even feeling thirsty.

 

In addition, because most of us are going around partially dehydrated all the time, when something happens like a flu bug that causes fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting, it can push us over the edge.

 

And when doctors prescribe diuretics and tell people to cut back on fluids - well, that's often the final straw. (Natural health practitioners, by the way, prescribe extra water with a teaspoon of Celtic sea salt every day to reduce edema.)

 

This would all be depressing if it weren't for the simple solution.

 

Drink your water!