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The importance of Water
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"The Benefits of H20"
By Donald S. Robertson, M.D., M. Sc.
Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body
metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water
intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in
water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The
kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they
don't work to capacity, some of their workload is dumped onto the
liver.
One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat
into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of
the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result,
it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and
weight loss stops.
Drinking enough water is the best treatment for Fluid
retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a
threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is
stored in extra cellular spaces (outside of the cells). This shows
up as swollen feet, legs, and hands.
Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out
stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body
perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first
opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns. The best way to
over come the problem of water retention is to give your body what it
needs---plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.
If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess
salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a
certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water you
system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of un-needed salt is
easy---just drink more water. As it's forced through the kidneys, it
takes away excess sodium.
The overweight person needs more water then the thin one.
Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water
is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person
needs more water.
Water helps maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles
their natural contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps
to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss---
shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves
it clear and resilient.
Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the
body has a lot more waste to get rid of---all the metabolized fat
must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.
Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too
little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The
colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a
person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.
So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths about water
and weight loss:
- The body will not function properly without enough water
and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.
- Retained water shows up as excess weight.
- To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.
- Drinking water is essential to weight loss.
How much water is enough? On the average, a person should
drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts.
However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every
25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be
increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.
Water should preferably be cold. It's absorbed into the system
more quickly than warm water. And some evidence suggests that
drinking cold water can actually help burn calories.
When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally,
it's fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have
reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?
- Endocrine-gland function improves.
- Fluid retention is alleviated, as stored water is lost.
- More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to
metabolize stored fat.
- Natural thirst returns.
- There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.
If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be
thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention,
unexplained weight gain, and loss of natural thirst. To remedy the
situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough."