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The following is a
list of 5 other reasons water is so important for us:
1.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 load is dumped onto the
liver.
One of the livers primary
functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the
body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidneys
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.
2. 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 onto every drop. Water is stored in
extracellular spaces (outside 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 overcome 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 to a certain
concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water your
system retains to dilute it.
But getting rid of unneeded salt
is easy - just drink more water. As it's forced through
the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium.
3. Water helps to maintain
proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to
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, healthy and resilient.
4. 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.
5. 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.
From "The Snowbird Diet" by Donald Robertson
M.D.
Drink up |
