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Dehydration: Lack Of Water In The Body

The human body is made up of 75 percent water and 25 percent solid substances. Water is the food par excellence. We need water to carry nutrients, get rid of waste, and all other activities that go on in the body. This makes the importance of water clear.

Coffee and tea cannot replace water

In our modern society, there is hardly any knowledge about the importance of drinking water as the most important elixir of life. Whole population groups replace vital water with tea, coffee, lemonades, soft drinks, and other industrially produced beverages. While they contain water, they also contain caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and chemical additives that have a strong dehydrating effect on the body. In addition, the water contained in the drinks can neither transport nutrients nor remove pollutants from the body.

Caffeine creates stress

Drinks that contain caffeine, for example, trigger stress in the body, which manifests itself in a dehydrating effect (increased urination). Beverages that have added sugar drastically increase blood sugar levels. Each of these drinks forces the body to lose large amounts of water. If one now regularly consumes predominantly such drinks, this inevitably leads to dehydration of the body.

Lack of water impedes the elimination of toxins

Many patients today suffer from a “thirst disorder”, i.e. a progressive state of dehydration that can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. What doctors commonly refer to as a disease is in large part an advanced state of dehydration and the resulting inability of the body to rid itself of waste and toxins. It is therefore insufficient to treat an illness with medication or other therapies without at the same time keeping the body hydrated.

Dehydration increases disease

Chronic illness is often accompanied by dehydration, such as B. the following. This in turn means that remedying the lack of water can improve the respective symptoms of the disease:

  • heart diseases
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • stomach ulcers
  • high blood pressure
  • multiple sclerosis
  • Alzheimer’s as well
  • Cancer and other chronic diseases

Cell activities are significantly restricted

The body’s cells depend on an adequate water supply. Normally there is more water inside the cell than outside. If the body is dehydrated, the cells can lose 28 percent or more of their water content. As a result, the overall cell activity is significantly reduced – regardless of whether it is skin, stomach, liver, kidney, heart, or brain cells. In the event of cellular dehydration, the waste materials can no longer be properly disposed of. This leads to different symptoms that are similar to those of an illness but are only indicators of a disturbed water balance.

Water accumulation is the result

In the case of existing cell dehydration, the body accumulates more and more extracellular water in order to neutralize the accumulating acids and toxins or to keep them in solution so that they cannot damage the organs. This condition becomes noticeable in those affected by the accumulation of water in the legs, feet, arms, and/or face. The kidneys can also retain water, which is reflected in reduced urination. In addition to the water, however, the toxins contained in it are also retained.

Dehydration and pain

Another important indication of possible dehydration is the occurrence of pain. The brain responds to increasing dehydration by activating the neurotransmitter histamine. The histamine then directs certain subordinate water regulation mechanisms to redistribute the amount of water in circulation. When the histamine and other regulators move along nerve pathways that register pain, they can trigger severe and persistent pain. These pain signals can then manifest themselves as the following symptoms, among others:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • indigestion
  • Lower back problems
  • fibromyalgia
  • neuralgia
  • migraine
  • psoriasis

With the pain, the person concerned is informed that dehydration is present and that he should definitely eliminate it.

Pain is caused by blockages

Pain is always a sign of resistance. This resistance can either be caused by a physical blockage, such as constipation or lymphatic congestion, or by an emotional blockage towards a specific person or situation. These blockages must be recognized and resolved.

Fighting the pain generally increases it. On the other hand, if you give up the resistance, the pain automatically decreases. The experience of pain releases the body’s own substances, the so-called endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Of course, in exceptional cases, it may be necessary to take painkillers for a short time – especially if the pain is unbearable. At the same time, however, the dehydration of the cells should be counteracted.

Drugs impede the internal flow of information

If medications such as antihistamines or antacids are taken over a longer period of time, this can lead to enormous damage to the body. Antihistamines are drugs that counteract the effects of the body’s histamine.

They impede the body, e.g. also to ensure the water supply. They also disrupt the connection between histamine and its subordinate regulators such as vasopressin (= ADH/antidiuretic hormone), renin-angiotensin (the kidney’s hormonal system responsible for blood pressure regulation), prostaglandin, and kinin.

Medications can relieve discomfort for a while, but the cause of the pain is completely ignored. At the same time, they prevent the body from figuring out where the most urgent need to start water distribution in the body because they completely mess up internal communication.

Dehydration impairs brain function

Our brain requires more water than any other area of our body. Brain cells are made up of 85 percent water. The energy required by the brain is not only generated via carbohydrate metabolism (glucose) but also via “hydroelectric” energy, i.e. through the water pressure in cell osmosis. The brain is largely dependent on this cell-generated source of energy, as this is the only way it can maintain the highly complex processes – and thus its performance.

A lack of water in the brain automatically leads to the fact that the energy potential of the brain is reduced. As a result, many of the vital functions are suppressed. With a lower energy level, it is incredibly difficult to cope with everyday physical and mental challenges. As a result, fears, worries, anger, and other negative emotions develop. It is not uncommon for this condition to be diagnosed as depression and treated accordingly with medication.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – A Water Problem?

In some cases, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) could also be due to progressive dehydration of the brain. If the affected person abstains from stimulants such as coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and medication as well as animal proteins and if they undergo a program of drinking water, changing their diet, and detoxifying, then – according to experience reports – the CFS often improves as well.

Cortisone dehydrates the body

Many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, MS, or other degenerative diseases are drugged on cortisone. This treatment often leads to an increase in energy in the body – but only for a short period of time. The increase in energy level caused by cortisone only lasts as long as the body is able to tap into the energy and vital substance reserves that are still available. Once the body has used up its energy reserves, the energy level continues to fall and the symptoms of the disease worsen considerably.

Narrowing of blood vessels due to lack of water

If the body cells are not sufficiently supplied with water, the pituitary gland produces the neurotransmitter vasopressin. This hormone has the ability to constrict blood vessels when there is a lack of water in certain areas. During dehydration, vasopressin constricts arteries and capillaries to reduce their fluid volume. This is necessary so that the circulatory system still has sufficient pressure and thus a constant flow of water can reach the cells.

High blood pressure is also common in people who are dehydrated. Something similar happens in the bile ducts of the liver. These contracts are due to the lack of water. Gallstone formation is a direct result of dehydration.

Kidney damage from dehydration

The renin-angiotensin (RA) system is activated when the body becomes dehydrated. This system directs the body to retain water where possible. It affects kidney function and narrows the capillaries, especially in areas that are not as vital as the brain and heart muscle. At the same time, the RA system ensures a higher sodium intake.

The increased sodium content helps the body retain water. As long as the body does not have a sufficient amount of water again, this system remains active. At the same time, however, this also means that the blood pressure on the vessel walls is exceptionally high and can thus contribute to various heart diseases. High blood pressure and impaired kidney function can ultimately lead to kidney damage. Conventional treatments usually consist of prescribing diuretics (water-reducing drugs) and recommending a significant reduction in salt intake.

Diuretics interfere with body regulation

The flushing out of body water through this form of therapy leads to increased dehydration of the body. Many of the kidney transplants performed today are the result of long-term chronic dehydration.

Caffeine leads to fatigue and dehydration

Caffeine, found in beverages such as tea, coffee, many soft drinks, and most power drinks, stimulates and stresses both the nervous and immune systems. In addition, it acts as a diuretic. Caffeine is a neurotoxin. It stimulates the adrenal gland, which then secretes stress hormones and triggers an immune response. Regular consumption of coffee over-excites the heart muscle and can ultimately lead to heart muscle fatigue and heart disease.

After a cup of coffee, three glasses of water

In order to remove caffeine from the body, the body has to expend water from its cells. This leads to cellular dehydration and short-term blood thinning. It is this blood thinning, among other things, that causes the good feeling that many people have after drinking coffee. Unfortunately, you don’t feel the threatening danger of dehydration at the same time. For every cup of coffee we drink, the body has to provide up to three times the amount of water in order to be able to excrete the toxin caffeine.

Caffeine is also the only known inhibitor of those repair enzymes that would initiate DNA repair after damage (e.g. by UV radiation).

Alcohol and Dehydration – A Danger to Your Brain

Drinking alcoholic beverages suppresses the secretion of vasopressin (= ADH) and thereby increases cellular dehydration. If you drink too much alcohol, dehydration can become dangerous. The typical “hangover” is in part nothing more than extreme dehydration of the brain cells. If this happens more frequently, the brain cells are damaged and eventually die.

In order to survive the alcohol-induced “drought,” the body must secrete more stress hormones, including also the addictive endorphins. When alcohol is consumed regularly, that is, when alcohol is consumed daily and for months, dehydration increases and endorphin production becomes an addictive condition that can lead to alcoholism.

Alcohol also has a strong dehydrating effect. It is said that one glass of beer causes the body to lose up to three glasses of water (quite similar to coffee).

But even soft drinks are not a particularly healthy alternative to quenching thirst.

Soft drinks damage DNA

New studies show that non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks) can cause serious cell damage. Research from a UK university suggests that a common preservative, sodium benzoate E 211, found in soft drinks such as B. Pepsi Max, is able to turn off significant parts of the DNA. This can eventually lead to liver cirrhosis and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.

Carcinogenic substances in soft drinks

Sodium benzoate has previously been identified as an indirect cause of cancer. When it meets vitamin C (which is also commonly added) in soft drinks, it produces benzene, a carcinogenic substance. dr Peter Piper from Sheffield University in England carried out experiments on sodium benzoate in yeast cells.

He found that sodium benzoate damages an important part of the DNA in the mitochondria. When the mitochondria are damaged, the cells become seriously dysfunctional. This can lead to a whole range of diseases that affect the entire aging process, but it can also trigger neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.

Soft drinks make you fat and sick

As the government will not do anything about the powerful food and drink industry, every individual must protect themselves and their families. One of the most important things that contribute to our health and that of our children is avoiding soft drinks.

The same applies to many sports drinks. According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, these drinks can contribute to the weight gain of up to 6.5 kilograms per year if approximately 600 ml of these drinks are consumed daily.

A new study from the School of Medicine at Boston University found that just one can of soda a day increases your risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 46 percent.

The study found other harmful side effects from drinking soda, including:

  • A 31 percent higher risk of obesity
  • A 30 percent higher risk of having a larger waist size
  • A 25 percent higher risk of elevated triglycerides and blood sugar levels
  • A 32 percent higher risk of having low levels of “good” cholesterol

A general tendency to increase blood pressure

When soft drinks are consumed over a long period of time, the effects of drinks containing acids, sugar, artificial sweeteners and flavorings, and preservatives such as E211 can be devastating to the body.

It is said that 32 glasses of water with a pH of 9 are required to neutralize the acidity of a 350 ml soft drink.

Cola contains phosphoric acid

When consuming cola, due to the high amount of phosphorus, the body has to use its own alkaline reserves to neutralize the acids it contains. In particular, calcium, which is extracted from the bones and teeth, is lost in large quantities.

Kidneys

The kidneys ensure that waste products and excess fluid are excreted. They also maintain the important balance between salt, potassium, and acids. The kidneys produce a hormone, erythropoietin (EPO), that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Other hormones made by the kidneys help maintain blood pressure and calcium levels. The kidneys also synthesize hormones that control tissue growth. If the kidneys are damaged, other organs are automatically affected.

Obstruction of the kidneys by many factors

The main task of the kidneys is to cleanse the blood of harmful substances and maintain a proper fluid balance in the body. To ensure this, the kidneys must constantly monitor blood volume and filter out the right amount of urine. There are many points that can interrupt this mechanism and cause kidney congestion. This primarily includes dehydration. In addition, the following factors interfere with healthy kidney function:

  • indigestion
  • Excessive consumption of highly processed foods
  • Overeating
  • gallstones
  • blood pressure fluctuations
  • Prescription drugs or
  • narcotics

Blood poisoning from kidney failure

If the kidneys are no longer able to remove the necessary amount of urine from the blood, some of the urine remains in the body, and the waste products it contains also remain in the blood vessels. These pollutants accumulate in the body and can contribute to poisoning or even kidney failure.

Other signs of heavily contaminated blood can be:

  • skin problems
  • A strong body odor
  • Sweating of hands and feet
  • water accumulation
  • lymphatic congestion
  • High blood pressure and other disorders

Kidney stones

Kidney stones start out as small crystals and can grow to be the size of a hen’s egg. The small crystals do not cause pain and therefore usually go undetected. Nevertheless, they are large enough to impede the flow of fluid through the small kidney ducts.

Crystals and stones form in the kidneys when components of urine that are normally in solution precipitate. This precipitation occurs when the urine is too concentrated or when there are too many of these particles. The crystals or stones generally have sharp edges, which can then lead to injury to the ureter. This often causes severe pain in the groin or lower back. The pain can also travel down the legs, causing numbness in the thighs, cause difficulty urinating, and producing bloody urine.

Most stones form in the kidneys, but some can also form in the bladder. When a large stone enters one of the ureters, it impedes the passage of urine. This can lead to serious complications such as kidney inflammation or kidney failure.

Uric acid kidney stones

Kidney stones that are most common include oxalate stones, uric acid stones, and phosphate stones.

Uric acid is a waste product that results from consuming purine-rich foods. Foods with the highest purine levels are animal products in almost any form (meat, sausage, fish, seafood, etc.). Purines are formed when DNA is broken down. Since the DNA is in the cell nucleus, all cell-rich foods are also purine-rich.

The processing of purines produces uric acid in the body, which is passed on to the kidneys and excreted in the urine. When the kidneys are unable to get rid of all of the uric acid, it is first deposited in those parts of the body that are poorly supplied with blood, such as the B. the toes and fingers. This can make the joints stiff and immobile.

Phosphate kidney stones

Phosphate stones are caused by foods with a high phosphate content. These include in particular: cola, processed mueslis, bread, pasta, and many carbonated drinks.

Kidney stones from too much salt

Excessive consumption of table salt, i.e. sodium chloride can also lead to the formation of kidney stones. For every gram of sodium chloride, the body needs 23 times the amount of water to neutralize it. This in turn can lead to fluid retention, cellulite, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and gallstones.

Drink real water

Drinking two to three or even four liters a day is not a problem for many people – if it’s cola, apple juice, or beer. With water, however, things are quite different and most people find it really difficult to meet their daily water requirements. At some point, you think again about how healthy and important it is to drink a lot of water. Anyone who quickly drinks a liter of water and thinks that this is good enough for their health is making a big mistake.

So that the water can get into every single body cell, into our eyes, into the nerves, and also into our bones, it should be drunk in many small portions throughout the day. It would be ideal – especially if you are ill or dehydrated – to drink 40 milliliters (4 cl) of water every 15 minutes.

If we were to only drink a few large portions of water per day instead, the kidneys would be thoroughly flushed, but the water would only get insufficiently into the cells.

Conclusion: Always drink enough water

If the body does not have enough good water available, problems can arise in the entire organism. Wherever there is a lack of water, the body has to make its own cell water available in order to prevent the worst derailments. At some point, a long-lasting “dry spell” can no longer be adequately compensated for, so illnesses inevitably appear.

This fact makes it clear that water is not called the most important food for anything.

So remember to drink enough water. The guideline is to drink around 30 ml of high-quality spring water or filtered tap water per kilogram of body weight every day.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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