Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
"Water, nature's moisturizer"
I attended a continuing education class last weekend for Sports Massage. During the class, signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion were discussed in detail. This got me thinking about how often I educated people about drinking water. The requirements for water while training for and during an endurance sport is different than what is recommended for daily living.
I was taught in massage school that muscles are liken to rubber bands. When hydrated, muscles are elastic and flexible. Once dehydrated, muscles become brittle, dry, stiff and tear easily. If that's what happens to your muscles, consider your organs.
First, lets consider that the human body consists of two-thirds water. A body cannot survive without it for more than four days approximately. According to The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford,"In normal circumstances, in twenty-four hours we lose 1.5 quarts of water in urine, 25.4 fl oz through the skin, 13.5 fl oz in the breath, and 5.1 fl oz in feces. That's a total of 2.8 quarts a day. A simple equation would suggest that this is what you need to drink."
"It isn't that simple, however. Firstly, the body makes water by metabolizing food, normally around 10.2 fl oz a day. Then there is the water in food itself, which normally provides around 1 quart a day. This totals 1.3 quarts, leaving the average person 1.5 quarts short on an average day. That's equivalent of six glasses of water." Not to mention water loss due to exercise or weather due to sweat.
Dehydration causes muscle fatigue, joint pain, gastric ulcers, constipation, headaches, lethargy, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, muscle cramping, dry brittle hair, skin, mouth and lips along with many other conditions. Thirst isn't always a sign of dehydration. If a person is constantly thirty is can be a deficiency in essential fatty acids or a more serious condition, diabetes or borderline diabetes.
With regards to weight loss, water is a key component to losing weight and keeping it off. Water suppresses the appetite and is essential for the body to metabolize stored fat. Without enough water the kidney's and liver cannot function properly. In turn, decreasing their ability to metabolize fat. Therefore, more fat remains stored in the body, increasing weight and hindering weight loss.
Holford also says that water is one of the most important nutrients, "nature's moisturizer." That being said, I'm going to go have a glass of water!
I was taught in massage school that muscles are liken to rubber bands. When hydrated, muscles are elastic and flexible. Once dehydrated, muscles become brittle, dry, stiff and tear easily. If that's what happens to your muscles, consider your organs.
First, lets consider that the human body consists of two-thirds water. A body cannot survive without it for more than four days approximately. According to The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford,"In normal circumstances, in twenty-four hours we lose 1.5 quarts of water in urine, 25.4 fl oz through the skin, 13.5 fl oz in the breath, and 5.1 fl oz in feces. That's a total of 2.8 quarts a day. A simple equation would suggest that this is what you need to drink."
"It isn't that simple, however. Firstly, the body makes water by metabolizing food, normally around 10.2 fl oz a day. Then there is the water in food itself, which normally provides around 1 quart a day. This totals 1.3 quarts, leaving the average person 1.5 quarts short on an average day. That's equivalent of six glasses of water." Not to mention water loss due to exercise or weather due to sweat.
Dehydration causes muscle fatigue, joint pain, gastric ulcers, constipation, headaches, lethargy, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, muscle cramping, dry brittle hair, skin, mouth and lips along with many other conditions. Thirst isn't always a sign of dehydration. If a person is constantly thirty is can be a deficiency in essential fatty acids or a more serious condition, diabetes or borderline diabetes.
With regards to weight loss, water is a key component to losing weight and keeping it off. Water suppresses the appetite and is essential for the body to metabolize stored fat. Without enough water the kidney's and liver cannot function properly. In turn, decreasing their ability to metabolize fat. Therefore, more fat remains stored in the body, increasing weight and hindering weight loss.
Holford also says that water is one of the most important nutrients, "nature's moisturizer." That being said, I'm going to go have a glass of water!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
After practicing in conjunction with Dr. Michael Bastron, DC for over ten years in Federal Way, WA I am relocating my practice closer to home. As my life and family evolve, so must my business. It has been an honor an privilege to serve the patients at Bastron Chiropractic and will miss the relationships I've cultivated over the years.
I am entering into a new relationship with Abundant Health Acupuncture. I have a tremendous respect for the practitioners there, many who have helped me personally. I look forward to a prosperous venture with them and the community they serve.
As a native of Tacoman, I am proud of it's growth and am eager to actively participate in the continuation of it. My husband, Dmitri Keating of Old Town Bicycle and I are passionate about small business. We have invested that belief through our own businesses.
I am entering into a new relationship with Abundant Health Acupuncture. I have a tremendous respect for the practitioners there, many who have helped me personally. I look forward to a prosperous venture with them and the community they serve.
As a native of Tacoman, I am proud of it's growth and am eager to actively participate in the continuation of it. My husband, Dmitri Keating of Old Town Bicycle and I are passionate about small business. We have invested that belief through our own businesses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)