The Heat Is On (well, we can hope for it!) / The Water Front

Hopefully you have been eating healthy foods and now you have to consider your daily water intake carefully (and that of your family).

Water retention is something that bothers many in the summer and there are various reasons for it. Heat and humidity, along with dehydration, the summer foods we eat and too much sun contribute to it.

The heat and humidity tends to make our bodies want to retain water to compensate for these outside changes. We need to perspire more to keep from overheating. And when we are dehydrated, we retain fluid. As well we eat heavier BBQ'd proteins that are harder to digest.

By drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, you are helping your body maintain a more comfortable body temperature and fluid levels. Fresh greens and some fruits act as diuretics on the body and help cleanse the liver and kidneys (help those crystals disappear!) Try more asparagus, spinach and watermelon.

Note:
· It has been proven that between 1/3 to ½ of North Americans are dehydrated. Don't wait for your body to tell you because it will be too late.
· Drink Distilled Water as it is alkaline.
· Do not count coffee, tea, alcohol or soda (minimize intake of all of these!) as water volume equivalents.
· Coffee, tea and alcohol have dehydrating effects- drink even more water!
· Water helps cushion joints, moistens oxygen for breathing, cushions and protects vital organs.
· Water carries nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body and helps convert food into energy.
· It is the medium for all body fluids, including blood, the lymph system, digestive juices and perspiration.
· Water helps the liver and kidneys process toxins produced by daily life.
· It helps the immune system fight disease.
· Headaches, constipation, arthritis, dry dull skin, lethargy and stress are reduced/ improved by greater water intake.
DRINK UP! (water- that is!!!)