Water & Your Health

The Importance of Water in Maintaining Intracellular Hydration

Fluid fluctuations affect blood volume and intracellular hydration levels. This can be life threatening. When the amount of fluid within various cellular compartments is relatively constant, there is an exchange of solutes and water between compartments to maintain unique compositions. Individuals with more body fat have proportionately less total body water and are more susceptible to fluid imbalances that cause dehydration.

Total body water percentage decreases with age, resulting in inadequate cellular hydration. Most critical is the decrease in the ratio of intracellular hydration. The normal ratio is 60% intracellular, 40% extra cellular. The reason for change in this ratio is due in part to an increase in fat along with a decrease in muscle, and a decreased ability of the body to regulate sodium and water balance. With age, kidney function becomes less efficient in producing urine, and responses for conserving sodium weaken.

The body must continuously be in a proper state of hydration. Because 2.5 liters of water is lost each day through normal bodily functions, this must be replaced. There are two major issues that emphasize the need to keep the body adequately hydrated with water of the best quality, content, and structure so it can maintain homeostasis. First, the water we put in our body must be able to prevent toxins and chemical substances from accumulating and creating destructive influences on cells. Water must bring all minerals and nutrients required for cell metabolism, and remove any substances that can damage the cell. It must also be able to protect cell walls from damage and invasion. Second, since water is involved in every function of the body, it must act as a conductor of electrochemical activity, such as neurotransmission, by moving water from one nerve cell to another smoothly and effectively.

Movement of water in the body between cells (extra cellular fluid) is caused by osmosis. This is created by magnetic forces in the body, which keep the movement in balance. As water flows, changes in pressure create movement across the cell membranes. Any changes in pressure will allow proteins, minerals and other nutrients being carried by the blood to escape into spaces between vessels and deprive the cells of their vital needs to sustain life. When water in the blood is contaminated with chemicals, it enters the cells and changes their structure, which in turn could lead to changes in DNA. This is the start of the disease process, which is very similar to the aging process.

Water and the Body's Natural Healing Process

The human body was created to be in balance. We call this integrity, or oneness, or more commonly, homeostasis. Our body relies on its chemical processing plant to keep a metabolic balance. The body knows when it is being depleted of essential minerals and nutrients which are necessary to keep it balanced. When this happens, the body must draw from its reserve. But this can only be a temporary measure, until these reserves are once again replenished.

Our body becomes aware of its depletion when its energy level is low. If nothing is done, and if we continue to ignore its call for help, we allow our body to begin on the path of its destruction. When the body is neglected, it becomes vulnerable to attack from invaders from the outside. It is also open to attack from the inside by free radicals. Bacteria, which are essential for our survival, suddenly turn on us and destroy us.

The body fights to regain its integrity by calling on the immune system. Sometimes this is too late, especially if the body has been in a contaminated state for too long. This can result from poor quality of the water we put in our body everyday.

The body knows when it is drying out. The body can only keep its ability to remain balanced if it is given enough good water. Not just clean water, but water that can provide a good environment for the body to function and carry on its purpose of remaining in balance.