Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Water Works (Sarah Dobec, BA, CNP)

Water is fundamental to all life and to your health. This is not ground breaking news, we all know we need to drink water; unfortunately most of us don’t drink enough.

Water is used in almost every function of the body, digestion, absorption, circulation and elimination. It is essential for assisting nutrients into the body and toxins out. You can imagine then, if we do not drink enough water, the impact it can have on our health.

Dehydration is a chronic health issue even in countries like Canada where fresh water is a primary resource. Dehydration can disguise itself as fatigue, a headache, moodiness, hunger and a variety of other symptoms.

There are many factors affecting your personal water needs; climate, diet, body size and health status. Here is a calculation that will give you a general idea:

Body weight (lbs) ÷ 2 = the number of ounces of water you require in one day.

Consuming enough water can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, fatigue, dry skin, muscle cramping and many other aches and pains. Try starting your day with 2 glasses of water, then pay attention to how differently your day unfolds. You should feel more alert and ready to go! New, healthy habits take time to form so try reminding yourself with notes around the house and office and carry water with you wherever you go.