All posts in Uncategorized

10 Signs Your Body IMMEDIATELY Needs More Water That People Constantly Miss

10 Signs Your Body IMMEDIATELY Needs More Water That People Constantly Miss

We’ve all heard that the human body is primarily composed of water and that we need to consume a certain amount in order to survive. Your muscles and kidneys are composed of 73% water; your blood is composed of 83% water; your lungs are 90% water and your brain is made up of 76% water. We lose water when we breathe and daily through urine and sweat so replenishment is crucial.

Many of us have been told to drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day but when I ask patients about their water intake, I am told 2 cups is the daily average. Generally, males need to consume 3 liters (12 cups) per day and females need to consume 2.2 liters (9 cups) per day for optimal hydration. Failing to consume the recommended amount can lead to mild dehydration manifesting in multiple symptoms.

10 Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

aid441258-728px-Treat-Dehydration-Step-6-Version-2

1. Your Urine is Dark Yellow :This is often the first sign that you are not drinking enough water. Generally, urine should be a light yellow-amber colour. When a person does not consume enough water, the kidneys excrete a “higher concentration of waste products in the urine, including dead blood cells, toxins, proteins and other products that need to be removed from the body”, resulting in darker urine.

You may also notice darker urine after consuming certain medications, B-Vitamins, beets, blackberries, asparagus or food colouring. If you notice a temporary change in urine colour, first consider if you’ve consumed something that would alter the colour of your urine. Next, increase your water intake and observe if your urine colour becomes lighter. If your urine stays dark for a prolonged period of time, it could be a sign of more serious health concerns such as hepatitis or gallstones.

2. Your Urine Output is Reduced :Most people urinate between 6-7 times within a 24-hour period. When you don’t drink enough water, there is less fluid available to replace the fluids being excreted from the body. The kidneys attempt to retain as much fluid as possible to prevent dehydration. If you urinate less than 6 times a day, consider your water intake and increase if necessary.

3. Constipation :
629px-Poop-While-Standing-up-at-a-Toilet-Step-6

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation, and constipation can often be resolved by increasing water intake. If you are not fully hydrated, your body will try to absorb water from wherever it can, including your colon. A sufficient amount of water in the large intestine is crucial for soft, easy-to-pass stools. Naturally, a lack of water will lead to harder stools that are difficult to pass.

To prevent or treat constipation, ensure you are consuming adequate amounts of water in addition to increased fiber found in fruit and vegetables. Constipation can also be the result of physical inactivity, hypothyroidism, intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis, food sensitivities and stress. If you are drinking adequate water, consider other causes of constipation.

4. Your skin is dry and wrinkles are more defined :Most women rely on expensive moisturizers to keep their body soft and smooth. Some pay high prices for procedures to reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Prior to spending money, increase your water intake. According to Dr. Diana Howard, dehydration can lead to irritated, inflamed, itching and sensitive skin. In severe cases, skin can flake and scale or become severely red with cracks and bleeds. Simultaneously, when your skin loses moisture, the cells shrivel, causing wrinkles to appear more defined and making the skin look older. The best way to revitalize your skin is to nourish it with water.

5. Hunger and Weight Gain :The body is so intrinsically smart but has a glitch – it does not know the difference between hunger and thirst. The hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating hunger and thirst, often gets confused, causing hunger pangs in response to thirst. Reaching for a snack instead of a glass of water leads to excess caloric intake and weight gain.

If you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight, make sure you are consuming adequate amounts of water. If you feel hungry, grab a glass of water before going for a snack and wait 10-15 minutes to see if the hunger has passed or if it’s still present. If you are still feeling hungry then it is true hunger and time for you to eat.

6. Thirst and Dry Mouth :Believe it or not, feeling thirsty for water is a sign that you are already slightly dehydrated. A dry mouth often occurs with thirst and signifies that the mucus membranes in the body need hydration. The only way to resolve thirst and a dry mouth is to drink water throughout the day.

7. Headaches :When you don’t drink enough water, your body will attempt to preserve and reabsorb water from all of your tissues to compensate for the lack of fluid intake. Subsequently, your brain tissue loses some of its moisture and shrinks, pulling away from the skull. Pain receptors are triggered resulting in a headache. Simultaneously, when you don’t drink enough water, blood volume drops, reducing the amount of oxygen being carried to the brain. Blood vessels in the brain dilate in response leading to swelling and inflammation, intensifying the headache.

8. Fatigue :According to a 2011 study, mild dehydration can cause fatigue, tiredness and low energy. When you’re dehydrated and the blood volume decrease, the heart has to work harder to push oxygen and nutrients through the body. Next time you start to feeling tired, skip the coffee (which is dehydrating!) and drink a glass of water instead. Coffee, tea, soda and sports drinks are not substitutes for water.

9. Joint Pain :Water acts as a lubricant to the joints, allowing two bones to slide over each other as the joint moves. When the body doesn’t receive enough water, the joint becomes nutrient deficient leading to damage of the cartilage cells. If you are chronically dehydrated, your cells will eventually reach a tipping point and the cartilage will degenerate beyond repair. If you suffer from joint pain, be mindful of your water intake and increase if necessary.

10. Weak Immune System :Dehydration increases the concentration of toxins in the blood, which can weaken the immune system. Optimal hydration is essential in assisting in the elimination of any illness byproducts and helps the immune system ward off infection.

You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty :

Many people believe that all liquids provide hydration but the truth is, not all fluids are hydrating! Some beverages, such as coffee, pop and juice can actually dehydrate the body because of their caffeine and sugar content (13). According to Dr. Batmanghelidi, a Medical Doctor and expert in the healing powers of water, many ailments classified as “diseases” positively respond to increased water intake. Based on his research, diabetes, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, cardiovascular disease, asthma and joint pain, can all be cured by simply increasing your water consumption.

If you want to optimize your health, remember that small changes make big differences. Become mindful of your water intake and ensure you are consuming adequate amounts. If you’re having a hard time getting all your water in, keep a glass water bottle with you at all times and consider setting an alarm every hour as a reminder to drink! You can also invest in a neat new device called Pryme Vessyl.

More

Stay Slim This Spring

Stay Slim This Spring

Spring is finally here in full effect and you may be feeling added pressure to fit into your shorts or swimsuits. After a long and (very) cold winter, we all want to enjoy BBQs and patio play with friends and family. For many, it’s easy to indulge in food and drink.

Believe it or not, it ispossible to stay slim over the sunny seasons. With a little bit of mindfulness you can truly have your cake and eat it too! These 3 tips will make it easy for you to look and feel your best this Spring.

More

Weight Loss Supplements Explained

Weight Loss Supplements Explained

If you watch Dr. Oz you have likely heard of coffee bean extract, raspberry ketone and Garcinia Cambogia. There are so many weight loss supplements it’s hard to know which products are worth the money and which are completely worthless. If you plan on investing into natural herbs, it’s important to know exactly what you’re paying for. Below you will find a list of the top five common weight loss supplements, how they work and whether or not they are worth buying.

More

How Does Stress Affect Weight?

How Does Stress Affect Weight?

Lets admit it. We all experience some degree of stress. Between work, kids, finances and everything else we are constantly battling “stress mode.” Whether it’s good stress or bad stress, the body responds in the same way: we enter “fight or flight.”

More

Weight loss acupuncture

Weight loss acupuncture

Let’s get right to the point. We’ve found acupuncture is an effective way to reduce appetite and cravings. It’s been used for centuries to enhance sleep, improve energy, reduce stress, and bring balance to your life.

More

Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

With the New Year often come New Year resolutions. Whether you decided to hit the gym, eat healthier or ditch a bad habit, you’ve probably realized that sticking to your resolution isn’t always that easy. According to an article in The Toronto Star, more than 68% of Canadians make New Year resolutions. Only 19% of people stick with their resolution for a whole year with 52% lasting only one month.

More

Meet Zhanna

Meet Zhanna

Have you met Zhanna yet? A Registered Massage Therapist and Body Contouring Expert, Zhanna Kryukova provides expert treatment for our clients wanting a healthy, pain-free life.

More

Cellulite Reduction and Body Contouring

Cellulite Reduction and Body Contouring

celulite removalHave you considered liposuction? Would you rather have a non-surgical alternative, one that is approved by the FDA? Then there’s only one choice for you.

Combining infrared light energy, bi-polar radiofrequency, negative pressure, and mechanical massage, we are able to reduce the size of fat cells and fat chambers while also significantly reducing the appearance of cellulite. You can have the contoured shape of your youth pain-free and without lengthy recovery times. Patients report seeing great improvements, even slimming thigh circumference by an average of 2cm.

More

Ideal Protein Program

Ideal Protein Program

Protein food

 

Do you love cooking? Are you counting calories at every restaurant? Or would you rather spend your time focused on other parts of your life while maintaining a successful weight loss program?

More

Integrative Care

Integrative Care

What is the best solution for weight loss and overall well being? If you ask that question and somebody gives you an answer without learning about you first, that’s the first sign their solution might not be right for you.

More