This is the everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-as-healthy-as-possible newsletter, brought to you by Kristy Russ, pharmacist and health consultant. I have close to 20 years experience in helping people improve their health.
I help people get healthy, and more importantly, stay that way so they're not miserable and just slowly dying for the last 20 years of their lives, which IS the "norm" today.
For even more information go to
www.antioxidants-make-you-healthy.com
Hi,
Phew! Finally back to a normal work week in the pharmacy. The last 6 weeks have been chaotic with working extra covering holidays and networking events and back to school... I'm looking forward to having a more sane schedule- multitasking gets exhausting after awhile.
Why Drinking Lots is so Important
and
How Much You REALLY Need...
Today I want to discuss the whole water and hydration thing, since it still seems to be such an issue for most people. Everybody knows they're supposed to drink lots of fluids, yet still MOST people are going through life chronically dehydrated- an estimated 75%!!!
Know this: Your body functions best when it's fully hydrated. Even mild dehydration will slow down your metabolism, speed up aging, reduce muscle recovery after exercise and reduce resistance to disease. Dehydration is also a major cause of headaches, daytime fatigue, muscle cramping, mid-day munchies (thirst is often mistaken for hunger), and problems with concentration and memory.
Do I need to go on? Your body IS mostly water- this should not be a surprise for anyone.
Also know this: If you're feeling thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
That's why you want to just keep drinking throughout the day so you never
really get thirsty. When your glass is empty, fill it up. Simple.
The only caveat I would add is to go easy on the fluids during meal times. Too much fluid can interfere with and dilute your digestive fluids, which can lead to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients. I know for many of you, this is the time when you drink the most- try to cut back but make sure you make it up elsewhere during the day.
How much do you really need?
Water is of course the best choice. It's exactly what your body needs, it has zero calories and it doesn't have other things in it that can actually make matters worse. Like caffeine & salt. I know coffee & tea have some good antioxidants in them, BUT moderation is key. Caffeine is a diuretic, so it is actually dehydrating. For every caffeinated drink you have, have an extra glass of water.
And don't even get me started on carbonated drinks... Most people drink waaaaaay too many of these. If you're having more than 1 per week (and I'm being generous), it's too much in my opinion. Definitely daily is insane. There is NOTHING good about these things (and lots of bad
things). Added to the HUGE list of problems that they cause (perhaps a topic for another day), they are also dehydrating (even if it's not caffeinated).
Okay, so go get a glass of water already!
Another Grateful Customer...
"I have had rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. I was getting methotrexate injections for many years to control the progression of the disease but they were starting to cause problems and making me feel terrible. Plus, I was really worried about the long-term side effects of the injections (of which there are many). So I stopped them.
Within a couple of months, I was so crippled with pain and inflammation in all of my joints that I couldn't even leave my house. I had lost all hope because nothing helped and I had spiralled into depression at the thought that this was what the rest of my life would be like.
I was very skeptical that Kristy's recommendations would help me, but I had nothing to lose and I was desperate. Within 2 months of applying the changes that she recommended, I was back to my old self!
I can't thank her enough for literally giving me my life back and I tell all of my
friends to follow her advice."
Barb L.
Because Laughter Really IS Good Medicine...
The doctor examined the man, left the room, and came back with three different bottles of pills.
The doctor said, "Take the green pill with a big glass of water when you wake up. Take the blue pill with a big glass of water after you eat lunch. Then just before going to bed, take the red pill with another big glass of water."
The patient previous to this had not taken vitamins, did not use any prescription medications and hated going to the doctor period.
Startled to be put on so much medicine, the man stammered, "Jeez Doc, exactly what is my problem?"
The doctor replied, "You're not drinking enough water."
