We have all heard the adage to drink 8 glasses of water (8 ounces each) per day. But, how many of us really do it? Water is the most essential component of life, whether for building bodies or nations. As an example, the muscles that move our body are 75% water, our blood plasma is 82% water, our lungs are 90% water, our brain is 76% water, and our bones are 25% water. This illustrates the importance of water for the body. Water is the cellular foundation of our body. And all too often, while we think we are hungry, we are just thirsty. For example, it\u2019s 9:30 am on a typical day in your life \u2013 how much water have you drank today? The average person hasn\u2019t drunk any water by this time, but has had 2-3 cups of coffee. Your day is already beginning in a water deficit. Would it surprise you to know that about 80% of people, maybe even you, are suffering from chronic dehydration.<\/p>\n
Advertisement: Silk (click on photo for more info)<\/em> Chronic dehydration can often be the underlying contributing cause of pain, chronic pain, and nearly all the degenerative diseases that plague our times \u2013 heartburn, arthritis, colitis, cholesterol, and cancer. They all can be prevented by increasing water intake on a regular basis. Along with good nutrition, almost 95% of the illnesses that plague us as people can be mostly overcome. We generally need in excess of four pints of water each day, which is used by the body for digestion, detoxifying cells, watering the lungs, keeping the body alkalized, and many other processes by the liver and other organs.<\/p>\n What should we do? To rehabilitate our bodies from chronic dehydration, you need 2-3 liters of water each day. This water should be as cold as you can get it and preferably filtered to be rid of chlorine and other contaminants. Did you know that water treatment plants only treat for bacteria and other harmful, naturally occurring parameters. They do not treat for contaminants in the water related to agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and many others. A growing problem is what scientists call emerging contaminants that get into drinking water due to human excretions of drugs, caffeine, and all the other substances we take into our bodies. What is not used passes through and ends up in the water supply. Thus, filter your water so it is as healthy as it can be for you.<\/p>\n When a martial artist throws a great kick or punch, it is generally accompanied by an expulsion of air from the lungs for great striking force. Yet, most people are unaware of their continuous breathing unless they are having trouble doing so due to a cold or other ailment. Breathing oxygenates the body (this helps with digestion), expels toxins, and livens the tissues, as well as helps us to process our emotions. For example, have you noticed how much more you breathe when you are angry or how much softer you breathe when you\u2019re relaxed and happy? Your breathing rate will change in relation to the state of your emotions. Stretching, martial arts, Tai-Chi and yoga are not just done for a for a good workout, but all help the body in breathing as they are for all intents and purposes, breathing exercises. Breathing through the mouth is detrimental \u2013 it lets in airborne contaminants, but also ages the body prematurely. Breathing through the nose accesses the lower lobes of the lungs and thus, activates anti-stress hormones.<\/p>\n Face it, in the current age of technology, many, both old and young, have become couch potatoes. Thus, you need to exercise\/move every day \u2013 make it a priority. You do not need to perform a full-blown workout, but stay active. You can go to the gym, swim, bike, yoga, tai chi, do a 30-minute walk after during lunch or after dinner and so many other things, such as sit up and pushups and more. By being on the go and moving, we keep our lungs and cardiovascular system healthy. The more we challenge our body, the fitter it gets. Perhaps not like a pro bodybuilder, but more capable of doing physical things without tiring. As we exercise, whether it be gentle walks or high-intensity, our lymph system is cleaned and we naturally excrete toxins that helps relieve aches and pains. Make it a habit \u2013 20 to 30 minutes each day, more if you can.<\/p>\n Do not make fat a dirty word. Fat is necessary for correct physiological functioning of the body. Our body may be mostly water, but it is also composed of necessary fat, especially the brain. And, correct brain functioning requires fat. This doesn\u2019t mean to go out and gorge down French fries and fried chicken, but you need to obtain fats such as Omega-3 and saturated fats from your diet. Losing weight also requires fat \u2013 fat burns in a carbohydrate flames, but that\u2019s another story. Too much fat is not a good thing, but even saturated fat plays a major role. For example, in moderation, saturated does not contribute to heart disease, instead, it plays a key role in cardiovascular health. Likewise, loss of sufficient saturated fatty acids in white blood cells damages their ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders such as viruses, parasites, and bacteria. And, fat is also required for calcium to be effectively incorporated into bone. There are specific saturated fats, such as those found in butter or coconut oil, that function as messengers in the body that directly influence your metabolism and the release of insulin. Including saturated fatty acids in our diet, we greatly diminish the stress reactions in the body, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids amplify them. Dr. Mary Enig suggests that about half the fats in your diet be saturated. Also, the right fats in your diet can also help burn unwanted body fat, as well as helping to fight inflammation.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myhealthandfitness.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Silk-300x251.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myhealthandfitness.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Nutrition_FullSize_FrontCover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myhealthandfitness.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/JoinToday-e1505408936237.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"