Looking at the importance of H2O for World Water Day
As World Water Day approaches on 22nd March I have some shocking facts that might make you think twice about the water (or lack of it) you drink. Just like my chiropractic colleagues here at Lushington in Eastbourne, I’m often recommending that my guests (patients) drink more water. So why does your chiropractor care if you drink enough water?
First of all, remember that chiropractors are healthcare experts in their own right. Chiropractors are trained to have a widespread understanding of how the body functions and what we can do to look after ourselves.
When I studied my Degree and Masters in Chiropractic Sciences at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC http://www.aecc.ac.uk/) they defined chiropractic as: “a healthcare discipline that emphasises the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself . . .” The Association of Chiropractic Colleges, 1996 definition of chiropractic.
You’ll see from my water facts that your body’s “inherent recuperative power” is affected by how hydrated you are. I motivate my guests (patients) to drink enough water because it’s good for them and helps them get better results with their chiropractic treatment.
14 reasons to drink more water:
- Water makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body . It lubricates the joints (chiropractors like that) and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins, and keeps the skin healthy so you need water in order to build new cells and tissues. Remember, your body makes over 100 million new red blood cells and 100’s of millions of other cells too every minute.
- Drinking more water can help you lose weight. Sometimes we feel hungry when we’re actually dehydrated. Drinking more water will keep you hydrated, help you absorb the nutrients from your food and reduce the sensation of being hungry when you’re not.
- Water can help protect against stomach ulcers and heartburn because the mucus coat, which protects the inside of your stomach is 98% water. This mucus coat protects against the stomach acid (Hydrochloric Acid) and the protein digesting enzyme “pepsin” in our stomach, which would otherwise digest our own stomach lining.
- Lack of water can cause headaches, lack of concentration and make you feel miserable. I often see people with headaches and often recommend a glass of water straight after their chiropractic treatment. Next time you have any of these symptoms, try drinking more water.
- Keeping well hydrated reduces your risk of heart disease by about 50%! It also protects against blood clot formation by decreasing blood viscosity.
- Lack of fluid is one of the most common causes of constipation. Not only does drinking more help to keep you regular but it also enhances the benefits of dietary fibre too.
- Many people find that drinking more water improves their skin. Not only is your skin the largest organ in your body it’s the one most on show. It seems crazy to me that people use moisturising cream and still don’t drink enough water. If you think you skin is dehydrated then what about your internal organs? Chiropractors have traditionally taken the view that health comes from the inside-out. It’s worth looking after your body – it’s the only place you have to live.
- Your muscles are 75% water. Every sports person knows that keeping hydrated is essential if they want to perform well. I take the view that when we’re recovering and coping with an injury (sprain/strain/lumbago etc) your muscles and bodies are in crisis mode. Some muscles go into spasm and are working far harder than they are used to. So I often recommend more water as part of someone’s chiropractic care during that initial crisis stage.
- An early sign of dehydration is the feeling of being tired. When the body begins to dehydrate, enzymatic activity slows down and you’re unable to produce energy as easily. Once you start to drink water, your energy reserves speed back up and that feeling of fatigue gradually changes into one of vitality. I love using water to keep those mid-afternoon energy lulls at bay.
- The lungs need about 2 glasses of water a day to function properly. You lose more water through your lungs and breathing than when you sweat.
- Bad breath is made worse when you’re dehydrated.
- Keeping well hydrated is important in the prevention of cystitis and urinary tract infection.
- Drinking water reduces the risk of kidney and gall stones.
- As a chiropractor I also particularly appreciate the benefit that water can have on your joints and by keeping the cartilage hydrated and soft and your lymphatic system working properly.
How much water do I need?
There have been various studies trying to identify exactly how much water we need. Generally speaking, I recommend most adults drink at least 8 glasses of water (non-caffeine liquid) a day. Many people don’t recognise how vital water is.
Rather than relying on thirst as a prompt to drink you should be drink at regular intervals throughout the day. If necessary your body will work hard to extract water from the foods that you eat. But given how clean tap water is in Eastbourne is, simply turning on the tap can take the pressure off your body.
This blog was prompted by the upcoming World Water Day, which is marked on 22 March every year. World Water Day puts into perspective some of the difficulties much of the world’s population have simply getting access to clean water. Considering how easy it is for us to stay hydrated here in Eastbourne and the far reaching benefits then shouldn’t we make more of an effort.
Attention to water is a small price to pay for the potential benefits you’ll enjoy. We currently have a collection for Unicef next to our water jug in reception and if you would like further advice please give us a ring at the clinic on 01323 722499.
Start drinking your water TODAY.
Lushington Chiropractic: providing Eastbourne with award-winning, community focused care since 2005.
(1) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dehydration/Pages/Introduction.aspx
(2) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/091123.htm
(3) Chan J, Knutsen SF, Blix GG, Lee JW, Fraser GE. Water, other fluids, and fatal coronary heart disease. American Journal of Epidemiology 2002;155:827-33
(4) Klauser AG, Beck A, Schindlbeck NE, Muller-Lissner SA. Low fluid intake lowers stool output in healthy male volunteers. Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie 1990;28:606-9
(5) Anti M, Pignataro G, Armuzzi A, Valenti A, Iascone E, Marmo R, Lamaszza A, Pretaroli AR, Pace V, Leo P, Castelli A, Gasbarrini G. Water supplementation enhances the effect of high-fibre diet on stool frequency and laxative consumption in adult patients with function constipation. Hepato-Gastroenterology 1998;45:727-32
(6) Eckford SD, Keane DP, Lamond E, Jackson SR, Abrams P. Hydration monitoring in the prevention of idiopathic urinary tract infections in premenopausal women. British Journal of Urology 1995;76:90-3
(7) Curhan GC, Willett WC, Speizer FE, Spiegelman D, Stampfer MJ. Comparison of dietary calcium with supplemental calcium and other nutrients as factors affecting the risk for kidney stones in women. Annals of Internal Medicine 1997;126:497-504 19
(8) Math MV, Rampal PM, Faure XR and Delmont JP. Gallbladder emptying after drinking water and its possible role in prevention of gallstone formation. Singapore Medical Journal 1986;27:531-2
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