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.

Studies have also shown that fiber rich foods have many positive body effects:

Regulating blood sugar levels

Decreasing the risk of:

Heart disease

Stroke

Hypertension- high blood pressure

Obesity

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastro-Intestinal disorders i.e. reflux, ulcers, IBS, diverticulitis, weight gain

An important note is that physiologically fiber improves the cleaning of fat soluble waste from the bloodstream, bile, liver and small intestine.  If we lack fiber we recycle waste in our system and concentrate toxins which can lead to multiple inflammatory, hormonal and auto immune disorders (skin, bowel, liver/gall bladder, neurological).  Remember our body detoxifys many poisons in the liver-gall bladder system and releases through the bowel.  To decrease this action is creating what we now see so prevalent in current society.

According to Alejandro Jungen MD, Director of Integrative Medicine at Manhattan-based Lenux Hill Hospital and author of “Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself.”

“When we don’t eat fiber our bowels do not eliminate the toxins we should be eliminating and they get reabsorbed into the blood.”

And I add from the blood these toxins will be exposed to the cells which affects cellular activity i.e. disease.

Cleanse T, Crave and Alka Cleanse are products that could help speed up the cleansing of toxins in the digestive system.

So lets fiber up, detoxify, alkalize  and revitalize – FOR LIFE !

In Health & Service,

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

-  increase fish for the omega 3  fatty acids

-  flax seed, omega 3 fatty acid supplements, borage oil, evening primrose oil

-  green leafy vegetables (high in luetin and zeaxanthin)

-  colored vegetables: high in vitamin c

-  fruits like blueberries, strawberries, bilberries etc are high in antioxidants which prevent mutation and inflammation

-  decrease junk food and sugar which can lead to liver/gallbladder stasis (stagnation)

-  in oriental health care the eyes are the indicator organ for the wood element (liver/gallbladder)

-  it is interesting to note that in oriental health care the strong emotions of rage, wrath, fury, unhappiness and anger create imbalances of chi (life force) that can create liver imbalances.

So if you have age related macular degeneration, cataracts, computer vision syndrome or glaucoma you could consider some radical dietary and supplement changes as a means of creating a healthier you!

In Health & Service,

Dr. Roland Phillips

Between 0 to 7 years old data is input into our brains, some truth based, others inappropriate and outright falsehood.  All programmed into our brains, as how to perceive and respond in an appropriate, healthy and life generating response.  When trauma occurs in forms of physical, chemical, emotional and mental stimuli, the development of the brain gets stuck in a defense loop and the computer (brain) learns that’s what out there and in here (me) is not safe.  So I’m perpetually fighting tigers (perceived illusion of threat) within and without.  Here is a short list of how our perceptions effect our bodies.

Brain

-Glucocorticoids during stress reaction damage the hippo-campus interfering with long-term and spatial navigation (posture!)

-Alters nerve cell structure; behavioral consequences, depression.

Breasts

-Feelings/perceptions of social isolation (I feel all alone) can contribute to being 3 times more susceptible to developing breast cancer.

Liver

- Glucocorticoids of stress reaction; lead to inflammation, cancer, blood sugar imbalance.

Bones

-Inflammation creates calcium absorption imbalances and a decrease in osteoblasts (cells that make bone).

Heart

-Post Hurricane Katrina there was a 3 fold increase in heart attacks.  Bottled up anger for any reason or justification (it makes no difference)  increases risk of heart attack.

Abdomen

-High stress related hormone cortisol increases belly fat, blocked arteries and Type II Diabetes.  Various studies at Wake Forest University and U.S. Navy indicate high demand jobs are associated with diarrhea, IBS and other GI disorders.

Sexual Reproductive Health

-As Glucocorticoids go up growth hormone goes down. This creates problems with ovulation, sperm count and sexual activity.

Skin

-Acne, fever-blisters and rosacea (sub-clinical undiagnosed lupus) are all indicators of chronic hypersensitive individuals, creating immune imbalances and skin problems.

So take a deep breath in through your nose and out your mouth, lower your shoulders, remember not to take anything personally and realize that anything outside of your own skin is out of your control, so why stress over it?

In Health & Service,

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