Water is a key element of being healthy.  It’s one of our 6 Essential Choices.  Here’s a short list of why you need more water.

Acid – Alkaline Balance

As we get more dehydrated the body becomes more acidic- slowing enzyme reactions and disrupting normal biochemistry.  This gets compounded when the excretory organs like the liver, kidneys and lymphatic tissue do not have enough liquid to properly do their jobs.  As acid goes up inflammatory conditions follow.  Fungal overgrowth can also occur.

Aging

As we age, cell volume can go down.  This can greatly be accelerated by poor hydration.  Maintaining proper intra and extra cellular fluid balance can also get thrown off.

Joints & Spine

Dehydration of the cartilage and joints leads to brittleness, inflammation and predisposition to damage.  As dehydration increases, toxins that are external & internal in nature can effect joint health and deposit and create gout/arthritis…etc.

Kidneys & Bladder

As we are exposed to many environmental toxins and internally produced toxins, changes in hydration lead to pH changes (acidity) which can lead to viral, bacterial, fungal overgrowth and irritation of the mucous membrane of the kidney.  Excess protein leads to acidosis and as a compository buffering adaptation, ammonia is excreted causing burning in the urine.  Hydration greatly aids the eliminatory systems.

Cell Wall

When we are chronically dehydrated the body puts extra cholesterol in the cell wall to prevent water loss, this overproduction, though helpful to the cell wall, introduces too much cholesterol into the blood stream.

Skin

Dehydration leads to dry, flaky, non-elastic skin.  As we become more and more dehydrated our sweat becomes more concentrated and toxic which can lead to inflammation and skin irritation.

Weight Management

The weight and thirst centers in the brain are closely linked.  Feelings of thirst can be confused with hunger because eating can relieve thirst and thirst induced fatigue is often misinterpreted as a lack of fuel (I want sugar!).  Both can cause overeating and weight gain.  Chronic dehydration also leads to excess fat as a means of sequestering poisons that can not be safely eliminated.

Lungs

The moist mucous membranes of the lungs are protective in nature.  In chronic dehydration dryness leads to vulnerability of attack from pathogens, dust, pollen, etc..

Digestion

Drinking too much water at once can dilute digestive fluids, leading to indigestion.  Dehydration leads to diminished digestive capacity and fluids.  The average adult produces 7 liters per day of digestive fluid.  Mucous produced in the stomach protects the stomach lining from hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. Dehydration can diminish protective mucous leading to stomach ulcers.

Enzymes & Exercise

Water is essential for enzymatic activity, energy production and metabolism.  Dehydration can slow this process resulting in the sensation of fatigue.

Liver & Blood Pressure

Chronic dehydration leads to a more viscous (thicker) blood and a concentration of blood vessels.  To compensate for “sludge in the blood” the body must increase blood pressure to push the blood through the veins.

Colon Health

The bowels extract fluid from the stools.  Chronic Dehydration leads to a lack of fluids in the stools and hardened stools leads to constipation and body wide toxicity and inflammation.

To keep your body properly hydrated you need to be drinking a minimum of 1/2 gallon of  water throughout the day.  I personally recommend a product called Green20.  This product is a powdered mixture of Chlorophyll, Fulvic Minerals, Chlorophyllins, Resveratrol, Potassium, Stevia and comes in a Lemon or Spearmint flavor.  Green20 is a natural detoxifier, its alkaline pH-balanced and rich in chlorophyllins which come from the leaves of plants.  You can find this product in our online store at www.desertdove.com or call Liv International and place an order through customer service using distributor # 13088.

In Health & Service,

Dr. Roland Phillips BA, BS, D.C.