Are you drinking enough water?
We know that we are supposed to drink good, clean water. But have we made it a priority?
Drinking enough water per day is one of the main foundations of good health. Water makes up over 60% of the body. Did you know that most people are slightly to mildly dehydrated every day? The CDC estimates that the average teenager drinks only 15 ounces per day; an adult, 39 ounces on average. This is not nearly enough. I hear it all the time in the clinic that people are not drinking enough water. When this occurs people can experience all kinds of different symptoms including dry mouth, fatigue, headache, dizziness, constipation and muscle cramps. It is so critical to consume at least 50-100 ounces of fresh purified water every day. Drinking water must be a critical daily habit.
Here are some great habits to implement to make sure you have your bases covered with water.
Here are some great habits to implement to make sure you have your bases covered with water.
- Drink 15-20 ounces of water first thing in the morning upon waking. Squeeze a ½ lemon or lime into the water if desired. If you juice vegetables in the morning, you can do this before or after juicing.
- Buy a Live Infinitely 30, 40 or 64 ounce stainless steel insulated water bottle and fill it up at the beginning of the day. If you drink 20 ounces of water at the beginning of the day and then fill up and drink 64 ounces in the water bottle, you will have consumed 84 ounces, which is a great place to start.
- Make sure you drink pure filtered water.The best independently studied filter is the Berkey Water Filtration System. It is a great investment and ensures you have great quality water to drink.The filter from a refrigerator or a Brita type filter is better than drinking tap water, but not nearly as good as drinking water from a Berkey. If you are worried about not getting enough minerals in your water, you can supplement with liquid drops of Trace Minerals.
- Never drink liquids with your meals, especially not cold ones. Wait a ½ hour before or after to drink water. Drinking liquids with meals will compromise the power of your digestive juices. If you must consume something, try only 4-6 ounces of room temperature or hot water with fresh squeezed lemon or lime during a meal. Chew your food slowly and let your mouth generate enough saliva for swallowing.Lemon helps the stomach produce acid needed for digestion.
- Water from cities or wells is not clean these days. Heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, recreational drugs, pharmaceutical drugs and other pollutants are in the water we shower under. Be sure to shower with an Aquasana shower filter, so that when your pores are open, you don’t absorb those toxins through your skin. Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs, which are loaded with toxic chlorine, bromine and fluoride.
- Need a filter on the go – try this portable LifeStraw water filter when you are not close to home.
- Need an immune system boost? Finely cut up about a thumb worth of ginger root up. Bring to a boil 16 ounces of water. Add water to the ginger and let steep for 30 minutes and drink.
It is so critical that you get enough good quality water to drink every day. Try to get at least ½ your body weight per day. If you exercise that day, you may need 1-2 additional liters. Your acupuncture system needs water in order to function well too. Water conducts electricity and will make for better acupuncture sessions. When you come to an acupuncture session, be sure to drink water before and after. Call 407-255-0314 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott so that you can experience abundant health.
