The Importance of Water in Your Diet

 

The Importance of Water and Your Health

"I'm dying of thirst!"

Well, you just might. It sounds so simple. H20 - two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. This substance also known as water, is one of the most essential elements to health and is so important that your body actually has a specific drought management system in place to prevent dehydration and ensure your survival. Water might be everywhere, but one must never take it for granted.

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% 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. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!) Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. Pretty scary statistic for a developed country where water is readily available through the tap or bottle water.

Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions that make up our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning.

Water serves as a lubricant
Water serves as a lubricant in digestion and almost all other body processes. The water in our saliva helps facilitate chewing and swallowing, ensuring that food will slide easily down the esophagus. Water also lubricates our joints and cartilages and allows them to (pardon the pun) move more fluidly. When dehydrated, the body rations water away from the joints. Less lubrication equals greater friction and that can cause joint, knee and back pain potentially leading to injuries and arthritis. Even our eyeballs need plenty of lubrication to work well and remain healthy.

Water regulates body temperature
Our bodies can control over-heating through perspiration from sweat glands in the skin and from evaporation which produces a cooling effect. Blood is also routed into areas close to the surface of the skin where it can be cooled and then carried back to the interior of the body. Conversing in a cold environment, the skin maintains proper body temperature by shunting the blood away from the exterior surface thereby conserving heat within the body. The movement of water within our cellular systems also transports vital blood plasma which is 92% made of water. Blood plasma play a critical role in buffering the body’s pH, circulating antibodies from the immune system, and regulating osmotic balance which all helps to maintain proper body temperature.

Water removes harmful toxins from the body
Water helps our bodies remove toxins in many different ways. Water flushes toxins and waste from the body through urination and perspiration. Water helps reduce constipation and aids in bowel movements which ensures that wastes are removed quickly and regularly before they can become poisonous in the body. This waste buildup can occur in the body if dehydration becomes a regular occurrence and this can cause headaches, toxicity and illness. Drinking enough water will also lessen the burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products.

Water transports valuable nutrients to the body
Blood is about 92% water and it carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Nutrients from the food we eat are broken down in the digestive system where they become water-soluble, which means they are dissolved in water. Water allows these nutrients to pass through the capillaries within the intestinal walls to the blood and circulatory system where the valuable nutrients and oxygen can be distributed throughout the body to all the cells and organs. In addition to the daily maintenance of our bodies, water also plays a key role in the prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. And those are just a few examples! As you follow other links on our website, you can read more in depth about how water can aid in the prevention and cure of many types of diseases, ailments and disorders that affect the many systems of our bodies.

Drinking to Your Health
Since water is such an important component to our physiology, it would make sense that the quality of the water should be just as important as the quantity. Therefore, your drinking water should always be clean and free of contaminants to ensure proper health and wellness. Remember it is also never too late to improve your health with the help of regular exercise, balanced nutrition and a positive outlook on life. The human body is very resilient and if you treat yourself well, you will be surprised by your body’s own natural ability to heal itself. Here’s drinking to your health and achieving your goals. We know you can do it!

Are you getting enough?

We've all heard that drinking water will help keep us healthy. But how much is really enough?

The experts have always said, on average, that eight eight-ounce glasses per day will suffice. However, that might not be enough. While eight is great, amounts really need to be tailored to meet the needs of every individual. Most adults will lose between two to three quarts of water per day by way of normal body functions, but those who live in or work in warmer environments tend to lose more. Athletes for example, need to drink more water to balance their bodily fluids. For those people, drinking more water will make up for the bigger loss of water they had through perspiration, as well as in the regulation of body temperature.

Our bodies are made up of 55-70% water, but it does not replenish itself, so drinking water helps maintain that healthy balance. But even still, many will walk around dehydrated, most of the time unknowingly. That is because thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration. By the time someone gets thirsty, it is too late! Or, if one is thirsty, they may go for a beverage that does not actually replenish the

body. A cold soda may feel nice going down, but beverages with caffeine are not meant to hydrate. Water is the best remedy for dehydration. If mild dehydration sets in, it can decrease one's energy level and mental functioning and increase stress on the body. Severe dehydration can have far more damaging effects. There are three important rules when it comes to drinking water:

1. Drink twice as much as it takes to quench your thirst.
2. Drink frequently throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
3. Drink at least eight glasses daily, or one cup for every 20 pounds of body weight. For example, a 150-pound person who does not exercise or work in hot climates needs 7.5 cups.

While some fruit juices and green tea may account for some fluid intake, you can count out beverages such as coffee or alcohol. They have a mild diuretic effect, which promotes urination and therefore water loss, which ultimately defeats the purpose.

QUICK TIP: A trick to ensure people are drinking their daily allowance is to fill a pitcher or jug with the allotment of water and keep it on your desk at work, or handy at home. The goal is then clearly marked. As you drink down the water, you know that you are on the right path to drinking enough water.

And finally, those frequent bathroom trips are not a bad thing. The best indicator that one is drinking enough water is when urine comes out pale yellow to clear. A dark yellow color, however, is a sign your body is dehydrated and is concentrating the urine in an effort to conserve water.

The Men Who Made Us Fat Pt 3

You have to watch the in the series of The Men Who Made Us Fat and look how to change your lifestyle for you and your children

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01kd06l/The_Men_Who_Made_Us_Fat_Episode_3/

5 Signs You Need An Alkaline Diet & 4 Ways To Start One

Alkaline Diet Benefits – Five Signs You Need It

There are many benefits to eating an alkaline diet. Over-acidity in the body can result in chronic health issues, while an alkaline diet can help to prevent these same problems. Some of the symptoms of an over-acid diet include fatigue, gum and teeth problems, a tendency towards getting sick frequently, pain and inflammation, and premature aging. If you are experiencing any of these problems, read on to see how an alkaline diet can help.
Improved Energy Levels
Proper cell functioning is very important to a person’s overall energy level. If the cells are not healthy, they are not as effective at holding and transferring oxygen within the body. This can result in overall fatigue and a lack of energy. The body’s pH level can also affect a cell’s ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is important to the body’s energy level. This process normally takes place within a cell’s mitochondria. If the body’s pH level is too acidic, this process does not take place as effectively.
Healthier Teeth and Gums
When the pH level of the body is too acidic, it stands to reason that the mouth will also be quite acidic. Unfortunately, when the level of acid in the mouth is too high, it can cause bacteria to grow at a much faster rate. Bacteria can cause a number of different problems in the mouth, such as gum disease and bad breath. A high level of acid and bacteria in the mouth will also increase a person’s chances for tooth decay. Many people note an improvement in their overall level of oral health after switching to a diet program that promotes an alkaline pH level in the body.
Improved Immune Function
When cells are healthy, they are effectively able to absorb the nutrients they require. Healthy cells are also efficient at eliminating waste products. If cells become weakened in any way, they are not nearly as effective at these kinds of functions. As a result, infectious organisms have a better chance of affecting these cells. When the body’s pH is too acidic, cells cannot function at their optimal level. This is why a person is more likely to become ill, develop infections, or even develop cancer when their diet is acidic as compared to alkaline.
Reduced Pain and Inflammation
Magnesium is one of the minerals the body uses to help control excessive acidity. If you eat a diet that has an acidic effect, the body is forced to use more magnesium to help neutralize it. However, magnesium is also a useful nutrient in the body that helps to support joint and tissue functions. By eating a diet that has an alkaline effect on the body instead of an acidic effect, your body will have more magnesium available to help reduce tissue and joint pain and inflammation.
Slower Aging
When cells are subjected to an acidic environment, they function much less efficiently. This reduction in functionality can impair a cell’s ability to repair itself, thus resulting in premature aging. Premature aging can also occur when cells are not able to get enough oxygen, and when they are not able to rid themselves of toxins. An alkaline diet can help prevent all of these scenarios. Better functioning cells means a younger appearance for you. Plus, as an added benefit, an alkaline diet program will also help you maintain a healthy weight.

 

4 Tips for Starting an Alkaline pH Diet

To follow and live by the alkaline pH diet plan requires that one does their homework. The more you learn about the benefits of changing your eating habits and lifestyle to follow this type of diet can give you the motivation to get started. Learning how everything you’ve been doing up till now has caused an extremely acidic environment within your body can give you the determination to make some much needed changes and stick to them.
1.) First take a look at how you view food itself. The alkaline diet teaches you that what we put in our bodies has a direct link to how well our body functions. The types of foods and how they’re combined affects all systems from the digestive process to the lymphatic system. Once you get a hold of a list or chart that identifies different foods as either alkaline or acidic, you will see that you really don’t have to make drastic changes. If you’ve already been trying to eat healthy food following a pH diet food list can help you build on those good habits.
2.) Drink plenty of pure water. This is vital for a number of reasons. The body needs enough water to function properly and metabolize stored fat in an efficient way. When there is a lack of water the body responds by setting some aside for later, also known as water retention. So if you want to get rid of excess weight caused by retention you need to drink more water so that your body feels secure enough in letting stored water go. Lots of water also helps dilute salt to reduce retention even more.
3.) Basically you don’t need any specialized diet foods. Just look at what you already have in your fridge and pantry and you can fit the alkaline diet into you already existing food supplies. Using an acid/alkaline food chart can help you as you go about your grocery shopping. There are also many recipe plans where the work of proper food combination per meal has already been done for you. There are also creative and healthy ways to add flavor to your meals with throwing off ph balance. Use herbs frequently in your recipes. Drizzle on beneficial oils such as olive oil, grape seed oil, or extra virgin coconut oil. The omega fatty acids in these oils will help alkalize the body and increase vital energy.
4.) Continuing with the great idea of searching for delicious alkaline diet recipes, start slowly incorporating two to three a week. Choose food combinations that your family already enjoys and is used to eating. Each week add a few more recipes until you have about ten to twenty tasty meals that truly satisfy and curb your cravings. Many of these recipes are easy, simple and will get you to feeling energized and renewed in no time.
When you realize that following the alkaline diet can be the answer you’ve been searching for to increase your energy levels and jump start your metabolism you’ll find it’s easy to make any adjustments needed with alkaline pH diet recipes so that you can benefit from it in the best possible way.

Help Your Body become an Alkaline Body

Alkaline Body Balance: The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Yourself

How to maintain a healthy alkaline body balance for optimal health.
What many people don’t know is that many of the foods they regularly consume negatively affect their alkaline body balance. The human body is a naturally alkaline environment. When an individual consumes an overly acidic diet, they throw off their body’s healthy pH balance, which makes them susceptible for illness and disease. In fact, when the body’s pH balance is too acidic, an individual is at an elevated risk of suffering from heart disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
Another reason why an individual should work to promote a healthy alkaline balance is because cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment. On the pH scale, which ranges from one to fourteen, fourteen being highly alkaline, the human body should be about an 7.4 to 7.6 naturally. At a pH of 8.5, cancer cells can no longer survive. Therefore, a high alkaline diet can potentially decrease one’s risk of cancer or even help fight the disease.
How to Control the Body’s PH Levels Through Diet:
The best way to support a healthy acidic-alkaline balance within the body is to consume diet that is composed of 50% to 80% alkaline foods. For proper nutrition, it is still necessary to consume some acidic foods. These foods should just be limited to less than half of one’s diet.
Therefore, one’s diet should consist mostly of alkaline foods, including:
● Dried fruit, such as raisins, apricots, dates and bananas
● Potatoes
● Salad greens, including lettuce, spinach, and both red and green cabbage
● Leafy, green vegetables
● Assorted vegetables, like beets, peppers, garlic, squash, zucchini, and cucumber
● Natural fats, like nuts and black olives
● Certain grains, like buckwheat and corn
● Dairy products, including fresh butter, unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and whey protein
● Herbal teas and fresh vegetable juices
While alkaline foods are extremely healthy, it can be very difficult to maintain a high alkaline diet. A dieter must limit highly processed foods, sugary foods, fruits, meat, alcohol, and soda, as these foods are acidic.
Unfortunately, these foods can be difficult to cut back on, since they make up the majority of many people’s diets. However, it is important to remember that people who consume a great deal of acidic foods are generally those that are constantly ill or suffer from disease. Dieters must also remember that they do not have to avoid acidic foods completely, but simply limit them to around 20% to 40% of their diet.
What Can a Dieter Expect From a High Alkaline Diet?
Consuming a high alkaline diet can do wonders for one’s health. People that are frequently lethargic, anxious, irritable, and/or suffer from frequently colds or nasal congestion can benefit from a high alkaline diet. An alkaline diet can help prevent against the flu and even help the body produce less mucous.
Women that suffer from benign breast cysts or ovarian cysts can also benefit from a high alkaline diet. This diet can also protect the bones from osteoporosis, the muscles from losing mass, and help to prevent kidney stones. These are so many benefits from a high alkaline diet that many people never stop to consider. Even those concerned with losing weight will be happy to see what this diet can do for their body. Eating to support a healthy alkaline body balance will help dieters lose weight, prevent disease, and support great overall health.

Help yourself and your family by guaranteeing an intake of alkaline food by using 5aday+ everyday.
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Why Have an Alkaline Diet?

Due to recent family illness the blog was suspended for a while but one thing that has come out of the situation that we found ourselves in has helped me look at ways our diet can help fight certain diseases. 

 

Alkaline Diet for Cancer: Cancer Cells Cannot Survive In an Alkaline Environment

Maintaining a diet that promotes an alkaline pH within the body is good protection against cancer. When a person eats this kind of diet, the natural pH balance will lean more towards the alkaline side of the scale, instead of the acid level of the scale.
Unfortunately, all too often a person’s pH tends to be too acidic, making a good alkaline cancer treatment even more important. Many people believe that an alkaline pH can not only protect the body against cancer, but can even help to cure it once it has developed.
What is an Alkaline Diet?
Many people become confused in regards to alkaline and acid diets because they think that it refers to the actual pH level of the food itself. This is not the case, as some foods which are highly acidic in their natural form, such as lemons and limes, actually have an alkaline effect on the body. An alkaline diet usually involves eating minimal amounts of meats, dairy products, white flour and white sugar, because these foods have a very acidic reaction on the body’s pH level. Instead, the diet usually focuses heavily on fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts such as almonds, and soy products, because they leave an alkaline ash within the body.
How Does an Alkaline Diet Affect Cancer Cells?
Studies have shown that in the test tube, cancer cells and tumors thrive and grow in a more acidic environment. When the level of acid is lowered, tumors grow much more slowly. If this behavior occurs in the test tube, it stands to reason that cancer cells in the body would also be detrimentally affected by an overall alkaline environment. It would also make sense that if the body’s pH is acidic, then the growth of cancer cells and tumors would be encouraged. By eating mostly foods that make the body’s pH more alkaline, there would be less of a chance for cancer cells to develop and grow. So, by adjusting the diet, it is actually possible to create a less hospitable environment for cancer cells, thus improving a person’s chances of experiencing good health.
Other Alkaline Benefits
Cancer cells also do not grow well in the presence of oxygen. When oxygen levels are low, cancer cells have more of an opportunity to thrive and multiple. When body tissues have a high alkaline level, they are able to hold much more oxygen as compared to tissues with a high acid level. A high alkaline level within the body also makes it easier for cells to discard waste and toxins. As a result, tissues and cells within the body are more susceptible to damage and unhealthy conditions if the body’s pH is too acidic. By maintaining an alkaline pH, you’ll be helping to protect your body’s cells in addition to discouraging the development and growth of cancerous cells.
Tips for Maintaining an Alkaline Cancer Cure Diet
Although it’s not necessary to give up all meat and dairy products, you should definitely minimize your consumption of them. You can also counteract the acidic effects of certain foods by combining them properly with other foods. Most people find many benefits in a good alkaline cancer diet that is rich in fruit and other high alkaline foods.

A nutrition supplement which helps keep your body at a good alkaline level when used in conjunction with a good healthy diet is 5aday+ a scientically blended formula of 20 of the worlds best superfoods. 3 teaspoonfuls a day give you your 5 fruit and veg portions and more.

Part 2 of The Men Who Made Us Fat

As we have been looking at the sugars in food and now is the time to watch part 2 of The Men Who Made Us Fat

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01k6l6l/The_Men_Who_Made_Us_Fat_Episode_2/

Looking Out for Hidden Sugars

Sugar is a sly creature – it turns up in the most unexpected places! So if you are trying to avoid eating excess amounts then prepare yourself for some serious label reading. Some food products have sugars tucked away under names that are not always familiar. Others are items are savoury and so very often it just would not occur to you to even check the label. Remember that ingredients are listed on labels by quantity, from highest to lowest, so if sugar is near the top, it could be one of the main constituents of the food.

The Ingredient List

Food experts currently suggest that a high level of sugar means there’s more than 15g of it per 100g of the product. Some products in the UK now have traffic light labelling to flag up these high levels – so look for red circles on the packet or box. But not all manufacturers follow this system so do check the ingredients list yourself too. When you do this, don't just look for the word “sugar,” you also need to search for ingredients ending in “ose.” This is a term that’s used as a suffix for sugars – so fructose, lactose, sucrose and glucose etc are all actually forms of sugar. So while the word “sugar” might not actually be listed with the ingredients, it does not mean it isn’t in there.

Breakfast Cereals

Watch out for the breakfast cereals. We all know that some products are coated in extra sugar but a vast number of those that appear at a glance to be “unsweetened” in fact contain sugar too. Muesli, for example, seems healthy as do crunchy oat cereals but unless you buy a “sugar free” variety you could find yourself tucking into at least a dessert spoonful of added sugar per bowl. Other breakfast cereals have sugar lurking where you least expect it too. We all know that frosted and honey coated flakes have high levels of sugar in them – but few of us are aware that plain cornflakes also contain sugar. The same can be said for bran flakes, which also appear to be a healthy option. Sugar levels do vary between brands, and no frill and own brand varieties are sometimes surprisingly, the best, but you have to check the box each time you buy a new product.

Fruit Juice

What could be healthier than fruit juice? We all know that juices contain natural sugar but surely if it looks like a juice rather than a squash then it must be free from added sugar? Wrong. There are lots of drinks out there masquerading as healthy juices when in fact they have spoonfuls of hidden sugar added to sweeten them up. Here you should not even need to look at the label to give you a clue – look at what the product is called. If it is just “juice” (ie “Orange Juice”) then it should be 100 percent pure. If, however, the word “drink” appears in the product name, then read the label. An “Orange Juice Drink” or “Orange Drink” is likely to contain sugar and other additives.

Savoury Surprises

If it doesn’t taste sweet then it won’t have sugar in it, will it? Wrong again. Sugar is often hidden in products to balance the flavour and can be tucked away where you least expect it. Take sliced bread, for example, many whites list it with their ingredients – and some wholemeals too. Many crackers, breadsticks and cheese biscuits have it in too. Look out for those savoury snacks too. You may buy your child a packet of crisps instead of sweets thinking they are sugar-free but check the label before you do. Some, especially those that have strong artificial flavours, will include sugar on the ingredients list. When you combine this with the levels of fat and salt they also contain, crisps suddenly cease to be such a great snack option.

Meal Times

All sorts of ready meals contain sugar too. Look out for frozen or chilled Chinese, chilli or curry dishes, for example. Italian-style food can be just as bad too if bought ready-made. Check the labels on ready made pasta sauces in bottles, tins or packets and even everyone’s favourite, the pizza, can hide sugar inside. Once you have found a sugar free main dish, think about your accompaniment too. Salads, for example, might seem like a good idea but if you are buying them ready-made or packaged, then check first. Believe it or not, hidden sugar can lurk in coleslaw, dressings and even sometimes in fresh boxed salads.