A few years ago I attended my first sweat lodge. It was a very hot experience to say the least. In between the rounds of song and prayer, the facilitator, a Native American from Pine Ridge Reservation would pass around a gourd of water to quench our mounting thirst. The water always tasted cool and refreshing and after a sip or two each of us felt like we could endure the next round of fiery hot rocks and mounds of steam that were meant to cleanse our bodies and souls. While the gourd of water was being passed from one thirsty soul to the next, the facilitator would speak these words, “water, the elixir of life.”

As I write this article, I reflect on that saying. Water is truly the elixir of life. A body can live for long periods of time without food but only a very short time without water. Our bodies are approximately 75% water and only 25% solid matter. Our brain cells consist of an estimated 85% water.

Water is required for every physiological process in the body. These processes include body temperature, blood pressure, digestion, hydration and the elimination of waste and toxins. Just the act of drinking enough water will help decrease the risk of colon cancer! Imagine. And it’s FREE!

I became interested in proper hydration when I began a quest to lose ten pounds. The first five pounds came off easily but the last five were stubborn. Even though I was getting plenty of exercise and watching my caloric intake, my weight fluctuated up and down about three to five pounds. My body fat percentage fluctuated as well. I was confused and frustrated. The nutritionist I was working with explained to me this fluctuation might be influenced by my level of hydration. When the body senses that it does not have enough water to maintain its functions, in order to maintain balance, the body will hold onto water in any form available. This means it not only retains water but also sends urine and waste products back into the blood stream to attempt to keep the body functioning. So, much like not eating enough puts the body into starvation mode and turns the little we do eat to fat, not drinking enough water sends the body into drought mode. The body then holds onto every bit of moisture available which accounts for water weight gain and a plethora of other problems.

Body drought is a serious problem and can be the root of many diseases. Drinking enough water not only helps you lose a few stubborn pounds, it also helps to keep the blood oxygenated and the body in an aerobic state. When the body does not have enough water the blood becomes acidic and anaerobic (oxygen depleted). There are many diseases and conditions that thrive in an anaerobic and dehydrated state. Cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, herpes viruses, chronic constipation, muscle tension and pain are just a few. The simple act of drinking water can help to keep these conditions under control.

People will ask, “ I drink juice, soda, tea and coffee during the day does this count towards water intake?” Although fruit juice and herbal teas are a better choice over soda and coffee, water is still the best form in which to hydrate the body. Every cup of soda, alcoholic beverage, and caffeinated beverage depletes the body of 3 cups of much needed water. So, if you drink 2-4 cups of coffee or soda etc. a day you need to drink an extra 6 to 12 cups of water to compensate for this.

I’m sure you have been told to drink plenty of water after receiving a massage. The reason behind this is that when the therapist works on your knots and areas of congestion, she/he is breaking down those areas of congestion and releasing the waste products the muscles hold into the blood stream (remember what you just read about the dehydrated body sending waste products back into the blood stream). These waste products need to go somewhere. If your body is dehydrated, these toxins and waste products will settle back into the muscles and other areas of your body. However, by drinking plenty of water these toxins and waste products will be flushed out of your system and you will tend to be not as sore or not sore at all after your massage.

So, the next time you reach for a can of soda or a cup of coffee, just be mindful that you need to replenish your body with a long cool drink of water.

The Therapeutic Massage Center of Fairfax is excited to announce the launch of our new website at http://www.tmcfairfax.com. Please take a look around, and let us know what you think!