Hydration

I saved the most critical foundation for last– HYDRATION! “Many Americans live in a state of Chronic dehydration.” (NTP 2020) Water is the most crucial nutrient in your body. The other functions I have mentioned without proper hydration can’t adequately work as they should. Two mind-blowing facts, you can survive for weeks without food but only days without water, and water makes up 55-60% of your total body mass. Water plays numerous vital roles in your body, including transporting nutrients to your cells, moistening oxygen for easier breathing, cushioning your bones and joints, regulating your body temperature, removing waste, and flushing toxins. Since your body can only produce about 8% of your daily water, youneed to get the other 92% from the foods you eat and drink. Some early signs of dehydration are being thirsty, tired, having cravings, dry mouth, muscle cramps, anxiety, headaches/migraines, or the ability to concentrate. Being dehydrated for an extended period of time can lead to more severe or chronic signs and symptoms such as; heartburn, joint pain, back pain, constipation, inflammation of the colon ( Colitis), and exercise asthma. Dehydration can be so severe that it leads to death. Appropriately recommended water intake varies by age, sex, environmental conditions, size, activity, and even if you are a pregnant or lactating woman. It is most definitely bio-individual. Some tips for drinking water are to make sure you are drinking water from a healthy source, if you are drinking tap water, have it tested to see what you are ingesting, use a sound filtration system, and if you do not like plain water feel freeto add lemon, lime, cucumber or berries to give it some flavor. Lastly, ensure you drink enough water throughout the day until your urine becomes light yellow or straw-colored. If this is difficult for you, try to drink water on a set schedule, such as when you wake up and 20 -30 minutes before a meal