Traditional Therapies - Water . . . Life’s Necessity

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Water . . . Life’s Necessity

By Dr.Anthony G. Ziagos, Sr., AMD, NMD, MBA

Water is one of the two key necessities to sustain life. Oxygen is the other. You can survive weeks without food but only days without water. Water comprises about three-quarters of our body and without enough water we cannot maintain our health. Most of us take water for granted and do not realize the preventive and beneficial benefits of this necessary fluid.

Every cell in our body requires water to perform and maintain their essential function. Water lubricates the body, acts as a shock absorber for joints, bones and muscles, flushes out toxins and waste products we produce. Water decreases sodium retention and improves gland and hormone function. It helps the liver break down and releases more fat, reducing hunger. It hydrates the skin, regulates our body temperature and helps vitamins, minerals, proteins, sugars and hormones to move along our internal waterway system. Every body function and internal system is regulated and dependent on water. Proteins and enzymes that heal the body are dependent on enough water to operate efficiently. The flow of energy depends on adequate supply of water. The removal of toxins and internal waste products will increase the efficiency of your immune system to prevent disease and maintain healthy balance within. It cleanses internal organs. Your brain tissue is 85% water. Messages to and from your brain to everywhere else in your body are also transported on our internal waterway. Your daily energy depends on water, because your body’s chemical reactions are water dependent. Drinking plenty of water every day keeps our body and mind at maximum efficiency.

Water also helps eliminate toxins from the bloodstream. Your blood is 85% water. “Even minor dehydration thickens it, reducing circulation from the optimal level and as a result impairing the blood’s ability to deliver food and oxygen to every body system and carry away wastes” says Dr. Robert Cooper. Once an illness develops, your body’s cells tissues and internal waterway may become weaken and under nourished comprising their ability to fend off disease. Over time, chronic dehydration may hinder the immune system and the ability of the blood to deliver white blood cells and other valuable nutrients. To avoid dehydration one needs to drink lots of water and other fluids.

Everyone’s water requirements vary. Most professionals who advocate bio nutrition and practice naturopathic principals recommend six to eight glasses a day. Our daily water intake from food is about 3 ½ cups and about ½ cup as a byproduct of metabolism. Our daily loss is about six cups through elimination, two cups through routine perspiration and another two cups through breathing. Rigorous exercise causes additional losses. “Even without exercising, which is necessary for good health, the average American is looking at a six cup a day water deficit.” Dr. Cooper says, “and moderate exercise can sweat off another cup or two.” Traditional Therapist generally recommends six to eight glasses a day. As you can see, we could use considerably more water than we are drinking now.

Fluids should be replaced before you are thirsty. By the time you feel thirst you have already begun to dehydrate. A thirst reaction indicates the process of dehydration is already in process. You could have already depleted a quart of water, or more, from your system before you are aware of thirst and it shuts down before your need is filled. Don’t guzzle all at once it is better to drink throughout the day, a cup at a time sipping when possible. Beverages such as coffee, soda, and some teas act like a diuretic, increasing urine production exacerbating the problem. Diet also affects fluid needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables are largely water. Foods high in proteins, meat, eggs and cheeses, increase blood levels of ketones and are dehydrating. In addition, pay attention to your urination schedule. If you are not urinating several times a day you are not drinking enough.

Unfortunately, most of our tap water today is chlorinated, fluoridated, and treated to the point where it can be an irritating fluid instead of a valuable benefit. Local water supply officials are responsible for maintaining water quality. Unfortunately many of them depend on standards established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or rate payer mandates. Fluoridation for example may not be as beneficial as once thought. One source has commented, “Fluoridated water increases absorption of aluminum from deodorants, pots and pans, etc. by 600%.” Regarding minimum EPA standards, are they good enough? Another source has commented that, “during the last 25 years water standards have gone down the drain.” Author Mary E. Joyce, an environmental specialist, has concluded that water supplies have been contaminated to the point of raising serious questions about how water supplies have contributed to many auto immune diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and MS. Bottled or carbonated water is the best way to replace lost body fluid. Second best are unsweetened fruit juices diluted with water or seltzer, and vegetable juices. Alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks are counterproductive in replacing water loss because of their diuretic activity. Drinks loaded with dissolved sugars or milk INCREASE water needs instead of satisfying them. You have to pay conscious attention to getting enough water every day.

Water has been used in healing process for thousands of years. Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water, steam and ice. In its various forms, water, has been used by therapists to treat a wide range of illness and physical injury. Water is considered by many to be life’s spirit. Water is an important part of any holistic health regiment. It is Life’s Necessity.

Dr. Anthony G. Ziagos, Sr. is a licensed and Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy. In addition to writing and lecturing in the field of Traditional Therapies he serves on the Advisory Board of the International College of Bionutrition and World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners. Dr. Ziagos is an adjunct faculty member of several educational institutions including Yamuni Institute of Healing Arts, Weston Reserve University, and Alternative Medicines Research Institute. He can be reached at: www.TraditionalTherapies.com.

(Authors Note: This article is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your Physician, Chiropractor or Naturopath for additional information.)

Bibliography:

Nature’s Cures, Michael Castleman, Nutritional Healing, Balch & Balch, Edgar Cayce’s Massage, Duggan & Duggan, Detoxification, Linda Page, ND, Ph.D., Healthy Healing 9th Ed, Linda Page.