Are You Chronically Dehydrated?

12 Symptoms of Chronic Dehydration

It is estimated that more than 50% of Americans suffer from dehydration and don't even realize it!!

Following are 12 of the more common symptoms of chronic dehydration:

1. Fatigue. Water is the most important source of energy in the body. Dehydration causes the enzymatic activity in the body to slow down, producing tiredness and fatigue. Thus, one of the earliest signs of chronic dehydration is fatigue.
2. Constipation. The colon is one of the first places the body pulls water when it is short of water in order to provide fluids for other critical functions in the body. Without adequate water, wastes move through the large intestines much more slowly. In fact, sometimes they don’t move at all. Thus, constipation is almost always one of the primary symptoms of chronic dehydration.
3. High blood pressure. The blood is normally about 94 percent water when the body is fully hydrated. When dehydrated, the blood is thicker causing resistance to blood flow, which thus can raise blood pressure.
4. High cholesterol. When the body is dehydrated, it will produce more cholesterol to seal off water loss from the cells. Cholesterol deposits within the cell membrane act to prevent additional cell water loss, ultimately for survival.
5. Acid-alkaline imbalance. The ideal environment for the health of the body is slightly alkaline. Our blood, in fact, is always slightly alkaline, usually ranging between 7.3 and 7.4 pH (7.0 being neutral). Dehydration significantly reduces the ability of the body to eliminate acid wastes.
6. Digestive disorders. The body needs an adequate supply of water to produce a wide array of digestive juices. A shortage of water and alkaline minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, can lead to a host of digestive disorders, including ulcers, gastritis and acid reflux.
7. Asthma and allergies. Another way the body rations water when dehydrated, as a survival mechanism, is by restricting airways. Respiratory problems are key symptoms of chronic dehydration. The rate of histamine produced by the body increases exponentially as the body loses more and more water. According to Water for Health, for Healing, for Life, chronic dehydration "is the primary cause of allergies and asthma in the human body." Drinking plenty of water is the single most important natural remedy for asthma. 
8. Weight gain. When dehydrated, cells are depleted of energy. They then have to rely on energy generation from food rather than water. People thus tend to eat more when, in reality, the body is thirsty. In addition, the body will not metabolize fat unless the body is adequately hydrated to safely remove dangerous toxins that are often stored in fat cells.
9. Skin disorders. The skin is the largest elimination organ in the human body. In a dehydrated body, the first site for water conservation is the skin. Dehydration impairs the elimination of toxins through the skin and makes it more vulnerable to all types of skin disorders, including dermatitis and psoriasis, as well as premature wrinkling and discoloration.
10. Joint pain or stiffness. All joints have cartilage padding, which covers the bone structures in the joint, providing necessary lubrication. The cartilage itself is composed mainly of water. When the body is dehydrated, cartilage is weakened and joint repair is slow. According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, the joints in which the pain is felt depends on where the localized drought has set in.
11. Bladder or kidney problems. As with all of the organs of elimination, when the body is dehydrated, toxins are not eliminated as well. The accumulation of toxins and acid waste create an environment where bacteria thrive. Thus, when dehydrated the bladder and kidney become more prone to infection, inflammation and pain.
12. Premature aging. When the body is chronically dehydrated, the skin begins to wrinkle prematurely. More importantly, what we don’t see is the same wrinkling and withering effect on the internal organs. The most effective and the most inexpensive way (by far!) to slow the aging process is to drink enough water, especially as we get older.

So my question is - what are you going to do about it?

Do you know how much water you should be drinking?

(If you answered 6-8 glasses a day, you are probably wrong)

Do you have an aversion to drinking plain water? 

(I do - but I have tips and secrets to share about how I've overcome it)

Do you know why your body needs so much water?

(Knowing why is half the battle!)

From August 7th - August 13th, I will be hosting a 7 day free group on Facebook where you will learn the answers to these questions and MUCH MORE!

Join us HERE

Interested in other health and fitness related issues? Find me on Facebook, or email me!

The Health Benefits in your Coffee Cup

How many of you have cut down on coffee because you thought it might be bad for you? How many have eliminated it completely? How many people think they drink too much of it, and wish they could cut down? Worry no more, my friends - your morning (or afternoon - or both) mug of steamy brown goodness - is actually pretty good for you! Think I'm kidding? NOPE! Keep reading!

Before we really get into the beans and grinds of it (I was gonna say meat and potatoes but since we're talking coffee, beans and grinds sounded better), I want to clarify - I'm not talking about your mocha choka latte double frapuccino with a squirt or two of that salted caramel flavoring, topped with a mound of whipped cream; I'm talking, most specifically, about black, unaltered, organic, pure arabica coffee. Light roast, dark roast, espresso, Jamaican Peaberry, Hawaiian Kona, French Roast, Breakfast Blend, Sumatra - as long as we're not muddying up the waters with a bunch of goop, it all counts. How you dress it up (or if you dress it up), is up to you, but just remember - while those squirts don't detract from your daily dose of Joe, they aren't benefiting (and may be harming) your health.

Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which leads to a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function. Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function.

Several studies show that caffeine can increase fat burning in the body and boost the metabolic rate. Studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people!

Caffeine can increase adrenaline levels and release fatty acids from the fat tissues. It also leads to significant improvements in physical performance.

Coffee contains several important nutrients, including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin.

A single cup of coffee contains:

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.

Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.

Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

Although this may not seem like a big deal, most people are drinking more than one cup per day. If you drink 3-4, then these amounts quickly add up.

Several observational studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of getting type II diabetes. The studies show that people who drink the most coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of getting this disease, one study showing a reduction as high as 67%!

Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s.

However, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from showing up in the first place. This includes the usual suspects like eating healthy and exercising, but drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well.

Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

Coffee drinkers have up to a 60% lower risk of getting Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, right after Alzheimer’s.It is caused by death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain.

As with Alzheimer’s, there is no known cure, which makes it that much more important to focus on prevention.

In studies, coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, with a reduction in risk ranging from 32-60%.

It appears to be the caffeine itself that is causing the effect. People who drink decaf don’t have a lower risk of Parkinson’s.

Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing cirrhosis, which can be caused by several diseases that affect the liver. People who drink 4 or more cups per day have up to an 80% lower risk!

Coffee appears to lower the risk of developing depression and may dramatically reduce the risk of suicide. In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.

Coffee Drinkers Have a Lower Risk of Some Types of Cancer. Liver and colorectal cancer are the 3rd and 4th leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of both. Studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 40% lower risk of liver cancer. One study of 489,706 individuals found that those who drank 4-5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer.

It's looking like 4 cups a day is that magic number. And on that note, time for a refill!

There is some evidence that women who drink coffee have a reduced risk of heart disease. Some studies also show that coffee drinkers have a 20% lower risk of stroke.

Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could help you live longer.

There are actually several observational studies showing that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death. In two very large studies, drinking coffee was associated with a 20% lower risk of death in men and a 26% lower risk of death in women, over a period of 18-24 years.

Coffee is The Biggest Source of Antioxidants in The Western Diet! For people who eat a standard Western diet, coffee may actually be the healthiest aspect of the diet. That’s because coffee contains a massive amount of antioxidants. In fact, studies show that most people get more antioxidants from coffee than both fruits and vegetables… combined!

Interested in more health tips? Looking for the "magic bean" to help you on a path to better fitness and nutrition? "Like" my Facebook page, follow me here, email me, or follow or friend me on Facebook - From nutrition tips, to recipes, to fitness, I'm constantly sharing!