Wading into Water
Mini Number #10
Water makes up more than two thirds of the weight of the human body. The human brain is made up of ninety-five percent water, blood eight-two percent, and lungs ninety percent. A mere two percent drop in our body’s water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. (Source: APEC)
In addition to energy water plays a key role in regulating metabolism, joint health, radiant skin, regulating body temperature and prevention of disease. And let’s not forget the financial benefits! You can consume over a thousand safe and filtered glass of tap water for the same cost as a couple sodas.
But how much water do you really need? While experts recommend eight, eight-ounce glasses per day when I asked my doctor where this sixty-four-ounce water guideline originated she was stumped! Shortly after my doctor visit I discovered CNN had the same question. The news channel scouted for the source of the guideline. “This eight, eight-ounce glasses a day, it turns out, after talking to the USDA, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, people at various universities, they say, you know what, this appears to be kind of a myth. We can’t find a single study that says that that’s what people ought to do.”
Given all the health benefits, how can we determine how much water we need? What water routine would help us increase energy? How long until we see results? This Mini-Makeover wades into the topic of water and helps you uncover your personal water needs. Also included is a twenty-one day tracking worksheet to help you measure the results of your new water routine.
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