Headaches‚ hypertension‚
back pain‚ arthritis‚ ulcers‚ asthma‚ morning sickness and fatigue can
all benefit and in many cases be prevented by regulating the body‘s natural
fluid levels. Recently there has been a dramatic swing in medical theory
and a long overdue realization about "healing."
The best way to prevent‚ treat‚ and in
many cases cure illness is to give our body the right tools and let it
go to work. With the proper intake of healthy water‚ the right minerals
and nutrients‚ our body can overcome almost anything.
Recent studies have confirmed that many of
the medications our society has become dependent on‚ primarily antibiotics
and pain relievers‚ often do more harm than good. Antibiotics can be extremely
damaging to the liver and have an adverse effect on our natural immune
system. The more often we turn to synthetic medicines to overcome infections‚
the weaker our natural defenses become and the more likely we are to have
repeated incidences of infection. An increased intake of water and the
proper immune enhancing nutrients‚ combined with a little patience and
common sense are by far the best defense against most infections. Allowing
our body to overcome minor infections with fever‚ fluids and rest
increases our natural resistance and makes us less susceptible to these
intruders in the future. Truly the best offense is a good "defense."
Pain medications and analgesic medicines
also work in contrast to the way our body heals itself. In a very informative
book called "Your Body‘s Many Cries For Water" (very highly recommended)‚
studies by medical experts explain how most of the pain sensations we experience
are the result of moderate or acute dehydration.
Headaches... Our brain is over 75%
water and when it detects a shortage of available fluids it implements
a water rationing process by producing histamines‚ causing pain and fatigue.
This natural process is meant to slow us down and conserve water. Histamines
are released as a warning signal that something is wrong. When we take
antihistamines or analgesic medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen we
simply turn off the signal and often allow the problem to progress. Two
cups of water and a 20 minute break will overcome most common headaches.
Back pain is often the result of
a deficiency in body fluid levels. The discs in our back are really little
hydraulic shock absorbers. These discs are made up of an outer shell‚ filled
with fluid‚ primarily water. A properly hydrated disk creates a cushion
that absorbs the shock of physical activity and supports the weight of
the upper body. These discs are self hydrating as long as there are adequate
fluid levels and regular movement. Movement that compresses and releases
pressure on the disc creates a suction that allows water to be pulled inside
the disc‚ keeping it fully hydrated. When a disc is fully hydrated‚ the
shell of the disc supports 25% of the weight load and the fluid supports
75%. When these discs become dehydrated‚ the shell has to support
a larger portion of the load causing pain‚ swelling and can possibly lead
to more serious problems.
Passive activities like standing or sitting
at a desk without regular movement‚ allow constant pressure on the discs
which slowly forces water out. Without sufficient fluid levels‚ the pressure
on the disc increases and results in pain and stiffness. Simply by maintaining
a constant and adequate intake of water combined with regular movement
such as bending forward and backwards with your head and upper body allowing
the discs to hydrate‚ you can prevent and stop most minor back and neck
pain. Try it‚ you‘ll be amazed how easy and effective these natural solutions
are.
Hypertension is very often a result
of the body adjusting to blood volume loss. The most common cause of lower
blood volume is dehydration. Since our blood is more than 83% water its
total volume is heavily affected by the level of available water in our
body. When the body detects a loss of blood volume‚ it closes off less
active capillary beds in order to maintain proper blood flow to the more
active areas. These vessel closings cause a rise in tension inside the
muscle mass which we‘ve come to know as "hypertension." More water allows
proper blood volumes and less tension.
Arthritis pain and stiffness is
now understood to be initially a result of increased friction and swelling
in the bone joints. Water is what our body uses to lubricate these joints.
When our water levels are reduced there is increased friction between the
cartilage surfaces resulting in swelling‚ stiffness and pain. The movement
of the joints causes a suction that pulls water from the bone marrow to
the joint cavity if there is available water. An increased intake of water
and gentle rhythmic movements of the joints can ease‚ and in many cases‚
overcome minor arthritic pain. A more detailed explanation of this natural
treatment can be studied in "The Body‘s Many Cries For Water" or a recent
publication by three very highly respected medical doctors called "The
Water We Drink."
Asthma‚ which affects over 12 million
children in North America alone and causes the deaths of several thousand
each year‚ is a direct result of increased histamine production. Dehydration
initiates exaggerated histamine production as a water regulating control.
It is well known that asthmatics have excessive levels of histamines in
their lung tissue causing constriction of the bronchial passages and increased
mucus build up. Water is used in the lungs to keep the tissue moist‚ but
each time we exhale‚ we expel moisture from our lungs. Under normal hydrated
conditions the moisture is rapidly replaced. If we are in a dehydrated
state then the tissue inside the lungs begins to coat with mucus to prevent
drying. It has been demonstrated in many animal studies that an increase
in water intake will reduce histamine levels and over a 2 to 3 week period
restore normal hydration to lung tissue and reduce mucus build up. Once
this occurs‚ the bronchial passages begin to open and normal breathing
is restored. The same histamine related effects apply to allergies‚ and
again‚ significant benefits can result from an increased intake of healthy
water.
Morning sickness‚ something thought
of as normal‚ is a direct result of dehydration. The fetus lives in a world
of water which the body prioritizes above all other needs. Throughout the
night‚ which is the longest period without water intake‚ the uterus draws
water from the mothers system to maintain its internal fluid levels and
those of the fetus. In the morning the mother awakens in a state of dehydration‚
nausea‚ and fatigue‚ hence the term "morning sickness."
A common hang-over produces the
same symptoms and has essentially the same cause‚ dehydration... only with
a much less noble purpose. Alcohol is a very strong diuretic and causes
the body to excrete water‚ often leading to advanced dehydration. Both
of these common ailments can be prevented by drinking plenty of water before
and throughout the night.
"While water is not an absolute cure-all‚
we must recognize it as the base and primary ingredient to every preventive
and healing process inside our body. We are truly a magnificent creation
capable of preventing and curing even the worst of disease and illness.
Understanding how our body works is the first step towards achieving optimum
health. Once we have this understanding‚ our actions begin to work in harmony
with our body‘s natural instincts‚ creating the perfect internal environment."
Charles Strand‚ Water Quality Specialist/
Editor |