Most of us walk around chronically dehydrated and haven't a clue this is what is going on. We have been walking around this way for longer than we care to remember. By the time you are actually thirsty, you are already deep into a dehydrated state. We actually come from a dehydrated lineage.
Proper hydration is a foundational tool that factors into every chronic condition we face today. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water every day. Our diets and medications, toxins, etc contribute to this state of dehydration as well.
If I ask my patients if they believe they are drinking enough water during the day, most will say that they don't pretty quickly.
Many people complain about not wanting to drink more as it causes them to need to use the bathroom more often. That is actually the point, we need to flush out what doesn't belong as our bodies need to cleanse. The cleansing process requires water/hydration.
One of the most important reasons to stay hydrated is that when we are dehydrated our blood can thicken. Thick blood will be more challenging for your heart to draw up clean blood from the liver. Over time this continuous exertion can prematurely wear out the heart. This situation may also set you up for major health issues like stroke, TIA, heart attacks, liver and kidney issues, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. The risk of cancer rises with thick blood as there is less oxygen circulating throughout the body, making it harder for the body to detoxify.
-High-fat, high-protein diets are the rage yet they can lead to chronic dehydration as well. This again will lead to developing thicker blood.
-Various pathogens that we are up against today can thrive in a dehydrated body.
- there are hidden sources of salt (unhealthy and refined salt) in our foods today. This excess salt keeps us dehydrated. Healthy sodium is needed and best taken in natural forms like celery, spinach and sea veggies as a few examples.
-Eating a diet that’s exclusively cooked can keep people dehydrated. Cooked foods force your body to pull liquid from different organs and cells to help break them down. This doesn’t mean cooked food is bad, but it’s helpful to balance cooked food with raw fruits and veggies
The amount of water someone needs really varies from person to person, their activity, weight, diet, and overall state of health all factor into the equation. It's best to start your day with 16-32 oz of lemon or lime water on an empty stomach as this facilitates the cleansing process that your liver/body was undergoing the night before. If you’re properly hydrated, your body can remove toxins and poisons from your liver, kidneys, and other parts of your body.
Besides drinking high-quality filtered water we can add to our hydration by consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables. Adding slices of cucumbers, lemons, limes, or oranges will add minerals, enzymes, and nutrients that allow the water to be absorbed into the cell more efficiently. Drinking cucumber juice, celery juice, and/or coconut water will all greatly contribute to ultimately restoring our body's hydration.
10 reasons to stay hydrated:
1. Improved brain function
2. Digestive flow
3. Increased energy
4. Weight management
5. Decreased joint pain
6. Better body temp regulation
7. Kidney stone/gallstone prevention
8. Healthier heart
9. Fewer headaches
10. Improved detoxification
