Water, Water, Water, and more water… Our Life Source! - PART 1

Humans can survive for weeks without food but only a matter of days without water. This should be your beverage of choice. Although often overlooked as a nutrient, water (H2O) is actually the most critical one of all. It is an amazingly interesting substance, which takes the imprints and even properties of substances it’s exposed to, such as chemicals, pollution, nutrients and, believe it or not, feelings and thoughts (acting like a mirror) as is shown by Japanese researcher, Dr Masaru Emoto’s life work. What this means is that our bodies due to their high water concentration, are deeply affected by substances and emotions. And I hear you ask… what’s new about that?

Some of Dr Emoto’s research on water involved taking (distilled) water samples and placing them in glass bottles and then exposing those samples to information such as words, pictures, music, and prayer. The samples were then frozen in a deep freezer at temperatures below -25oC for three hours. Once ice crystals formed they were observed and photographed under a dark field microscope. The most interesting occurrences were seen. Water that had been ‘treated well’ formed beautiful crystals, water exposed to negative words, pictures or even heavy metal music, consistently formed ‘damaged’ crystals, or none at all. Dr Emoto’s experiments also involved studying the effect of human consciousness and water crystal formation in nature as well as populated water sources around the world. The significance of his discoveries to human health is enormous because if water can be ‘transformed’ by thoughts, feelings and its environment, given we are 50-70% water (as is our planet), and our brains are 85% water, our thoughts and actions affect and dictate our circumstances and quality of life much more deeply than originally believed. For more information on Dr Emoto’s work, including detailed pictures of his experiments, this website is worth a visit www.hado.com.au/crystals.htm.

In the body, water provides the medium in which nutrients and waste products are transported and a myriad metabolic biochemical reactions occur. Water allows for temperature regulation, the maintenance of blood pressure and blood volume, the structure of large molecules, and the rigidity of body tissues. It also acts as a solvent, a lubricant (as in joints), and a protective cushion (as inside the eyes and in spinal fluid and amniotic fluid). The flow of water in and out of cells is precisely controlled by shifting electrolyte/nutrient concentrations on either side of the cell membrane. If there is an imbalance in those nutrients, the cells will be unable to absorb or let go of water and will malfunction, causing many metabolic processes to falter.

Water is consumed not only as water itself, and as a constituent of other beverages, but also as a major component of many (healthy) foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, which may contain from 85 to 95 percent water. Because water requirements vary with climate, level of activity, dietary composition, and other factors, the recommendation for daily water intake varies. However, adults typically need at least 2.5 litres (8-10 cups) of water a day. Be aware, many experts agree that thirst is not a reliable indicator of dehydration because typically, when we become thirsty we are already dehydrated. Hence, water intake should occur frequently throughout the day, especially with increased sweating in hot climates, during vigorous physical activity, illness, or other dehydrating situations.

Now you understand how important water really is for optimum health in the next issue I’ll cover the dangers of certain types of water and help you understand tap versus filtered water. Is there a difference? Find out in the next issue…