Are you drinking enough water daily?
Here are the benefits of doing so with special reference to the neuromusculoskeletal system.
With the earth consisting of 70 percent water and our bodies being 60 percent water it is easy to appreciate why water is so vital to life and the normal functioning thereof.
For the sake of this article, we will firstly consider the better known benefits of being properly hydrated, then consider the benefits on the neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, skeleton) system from a Chiropractic perspective!
THE BENEFITS OF STAYING PROPERLY HYDRATED INCLUDES THE MAINTAINING OF NORMAL FUNCTION IN ALL ORGANS!
BEING PROPERLY HYDRATED:
•Provides moisture to the skin and mucous membranes of the body, providing elasticity and lubrication to tissues. (including the lungs, helping prevent a host of respiratory disorders.)
•Attains and sustains normal blood volume and pressure, assisting in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
•Assists in maintaining the correct viscosity of blood ensuring healthy blood cells and immune system.
•Maintains normal lymph flow and drainage.
•Maintains normal digestive system functioning by balancing ph levels thus preventing ulcers, constipation, and other GIT disorders.
•It Provides a massive cleansing effect on the ‘detoxyfing organs’ especially the kidneys and liver preventing failure and disease.
THE BENEFITS OF STAYING PROPERLY HYDRATED ON THE NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM INCLUDE:
•Providing hydration to the joint cartilage (which is 60 percent water) preventing degeneration.
•Maintaining the synovial fluid volume in joints- which is literally the ‘oil’ to the joint which provides lubrication and nutrition to the cartilage.
•Maintaining bone density by assisting in the calcium uptake process preventing osteoporosis.
•Maintaining the hydration of your spinal discs thus maintaining their shock absorptive capacity and preventing disc degeneration.
•Maintaining normal muscle function by ensuring proper muscle cell firing and function-assisting in quicker recovery rate after injury/training.
•Maintaining normal neuro-transmission between the nerves throughout the body especially the brain.
•Maintaining optimal levels of endorphins and serotonin in the nervous system which helps break down chronic pain and depression pathways.
•Maintaining the cerebrospinal fluid volume which flows around the brain and spinal cord providing them with protection and nutrition.
•Assisting massively in weight loss by affecting hormonal systems and the perceptions of hunger -with weight reduction reducing stress on the joints.
MEDICALLY THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT AN AVERAGE OF 2 LITRES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN NORMAL BODILY FUNCTION.
Please note that coffee, tea, fruit juices, and soft drinks DO NOT constitute water! They are packed with caffeine and sugars which act as a diuretic, actually dehydrating you!
Please also note that these are all LONG TERM BENEFITS of drinking enough water, flirting with this idea temporarily will achieve nothing. IT IS A CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Initially your body may even ‘object’ with a feeling of bloatedness, but persist a few days-once all the correct systems in your body and brain kick into normal function , YOU WILL BE CRAVING WATER.
Hopefully this has increased your awareness that the effects of drinking enough water are as far reaching as the neuromusculoskeletal system,and are even relevant in chronic pain and degenerative conditions. So here’s to H20, stay hydrated and remember, we’ve got your body and your back!
