Water is critical for our existence. Often we take its importance for granted. Human survival is dependent on water. Water is your body's principal chemical component, comprising, on average, 60 percent of your weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Everyday our body must replace approximately 2 1/2 quarts of water. We need lots of fresh water to stay healthy.

Water and Weight loss

Water is the solvent of the body and it regulates all functions, including the activity of everything it dissolves and circulates. The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they do not work to capacity, some of their load is dumped on the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it cannot work at full capacity and efficiency. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, resulting in more fat remaining stored in the body and weight loss stops!

Water plays a major part in weight loss. Since water contains no calories, it can serve as an effective natural appetite suppressant. It also helps the body metabolize stored fat which may possibly be one of the most significant factors in losing weight. Water is the single most important nutrient you take in every day. It's fat -free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and completely without calories. In addition, drinking more water helps to reduce water retention by stimulating your kidneys. Studies have recommended that if you are overweight you should add one additional glass of water to your daily requirement (of eight glasses) for every 25 pounds of weight over your recommended limit.

On the other hand when your body is given less water than it needs, it perceives the shortage as a threat to survival and will begin to retain as much water (commonly manifesting as water retention) as possible. Water reserves are stored in extra-cellular spaces (outside the cells). This water generally show up as swollen feet, hands and legs. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs — plenty of water. It is only then the stored water will be released. However, if water retention is a constant problem for you, excess salt may be the cause. Your body will only tolerate sodium in certain concentrations. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of excess salt is as easy as just drinking more water. As the water is forced through the kidneys, it will remove the excess sodium.

Dehydration

Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Dehydration leads to excess body fat storage, poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, increased toxicity, joint and muscle soreness, and water retention.

Constipation

The colon (intestine) is a primary internal water source. When the body gets insufficient water, it draws what it needs from the intestines, resulting in constipation. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel. However when a person drinks enough water there is a natural tendency for normal bowel function to return.
 

The body cannot properly process and utilize nutritional supplementation without sufficient water. Therefore, without sufficient water you are not only allowing your body to retain its wastes (encouraging ill health and disease), you are also throwing away your money on expensive nutritional supplementation that may only be partially absorbed by your body. Water is imperative for optimal health and disease prevention. It's cheap and it's the smartest thing you can take for yourself.....so Drink lots of Water!