Knowing how much water we need daily sets us up with some goals and sets habits. We often tend to under drink and if you do not have a predetermined amount set as a goal you will undoubtedly underachieve. It never ceases to amaze me, a preacher of the many benefits of water, that I too will under consume of I do not set out the plan and goals for the day.
Let's determine the amount of water we need daily. For the minimum requirements, take your present body weight in pounds and divide it by 2. That is your required amount of daily water intake in ounces.
So, if you are 150 lbs, divide by 2 = 75 ounces daily is the minimum daily goal. 75 oz divided by quarts is 1 glass over 2 quarts DAILY. If you come up short one day, your next day you will need to make up the short fall and your daily quota in order to rehydrate your organs and tissues again for full efficiency.
A good indicator of sufficient water intake is the color of the urine. It should be light yellow in color. If it is dark or pungent, you need more water. If you take vitamins, especially B, your urine can be darker in color from the excretion of excess nutrients so avoid them for a few days to see the natural color and set a healthy water goal daily.
If you are pregnant or nursing, or are very active add more water. These are the minimum requirements for optimal body function.
Remember it is important to NOT depend on your thirst as a guide initially. If you are thirsty it is usually a sign that already your organs have had to compromise and water is most assuredly been removed from the bowel in order to avoid mild organ failure. Furthermore your thirst is a trigger and if you have ignored your trigger all your life, you loose it. It tends to shut off and water is taken from other areas in order to do the most important functions first.
My son complains that the more water he drinks the more thirsty he feels. This is actually a good sign. His thirst mechanism has starting working again.
- Most of us are made up of between 50 - 80 % water depending on our age. Children tend to be higher in water content and the aged much lower. (Doesn't that tell us something? Drink water might have anti aging benefits?)
- Did you know that a mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short term memory trouble with basic math and difficulty in focusing? 20 % loss means death!
- Water regulates the temperature of the human body, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, cushions joints, protects organs and tissues and removes wastes.
- The body is 80 % water. Dehydration slows down the body metabolism. How much weight would North Americans loose if we just drink enough water??
- One of the major factors in daytime fatigue is dehydration!
- 75 % of the US population are chronically dehydrated
- 37% of the US population mistake thirst for hunger
- Water plays a roll in almost every body function. I heard a story once of how a doctor, being suddenly left without any medicines or supplies actually prescribed just plain water to his patients. He had such remarkable healing results for a multiple of health issues that he went on to write a book and document the astounding results. (When was the last time your doctor prescribed a glass of water.
Our body is designed by God to heal itself. All we need to do is give it the tools that it needs to accomplish what God has created it to do! Water is basic to life and healing.
Tomorrow, I will be posting Part 3 on How to drink water! Drinking water is not a science but there is an art to it!
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