Soaking up the Summer Sun Requires Water!

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Most people would agree that water is the most valuable resource on Earth. All forms of life on our planet need water. According to scientists, life began in the abundant water/mineral mix which occupied the surface of our planet in its middle years. Despite differing theories about how life began, our body chemistry reflects our relationship with the earth and its waters. A proper supply of the minerals contained in ocean water is needed for the optimal functioning of the human body. And the salt content of our blood is the same as that of ocean water.


Our physical existence on this earth is dependent upon air, water, salt, and food, as well as sunshine and exercise. By eating healthy, nutritious food and drinking ample amounts of clean water, we maintain an incredibly sophisticated ratio of water and mineral salts within our cells. When we ignore our body’s nutritional needs and expose our body to toxins, we set the stage for disease.


According to Dr. Batmanghelidj (Your Body’s Many Cries for Water) the leading cause of sickness is dehydration. If you have a job where it’s frowned upon to drink water while working, if you’re “too busy” to stop and rehydrate, or if you think you don’t like the taste of water, brace yourself. No excuse will undo the damage caused by not taking in proper water to rehydrate! Being dehydrated is a relatively unknown cause of stress, pain and many degenerative diseases. On the other hand, think how great it would be to eliminate heartburn, headaches, backaches, fatigue, asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis pains, etc, simply by drinking more water.


Drinking more water is known for helping people balance their weight. Since mild thirst is often confused with hunger, drinking a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal helps to curb the appetite. It also helps by increasing metabolism and detoxifying the body.


Don’t wait until you’re dehydrated to start drinking more water. Dehydration can be deadly. By the time you feel thirst, you’re already dehydrated.


On average, the water weight for males is 60%, females-50%, obese people-40%, and athletes-70%, according to Dan Benardot, PhD, RD, FACSM (Advanced Sports Nutrition). The more muscle, the more water weight is carried in the body, meaning that people with the most fat are at the greatest risk for dehydration.


Clean, organic water is not always easy to find. City tap water in the Detroit metro area is superior to many other areas of the country, yet it still contains contaminates. One of the contaminants is fluoride, placed there intentionally by the municipalities that control water purity. Other contaminants include drugs, such as estrogen and antibiotics that cannot be removed by standard methods, remaining in the water.


Options for the cleanest and best drinking water include using high density multi-stage filters or reverse osmosis systems with tap water, finding reputable bottled spring water, or drinking water from a well that’s been tested. Distilled water isn’t ideal because the body views it similar to cooked food and responds by increasing the white blood count, a link to arthritis. Adding a small amount of Celtic sea salt helps improve distilled water.


Water in nature is an organic substance, not purely an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms hung together at a fourteen degree angle. Fresh water always has some organic material dissolved in it, whether it’s from a lake, a stream or an underground source, such as a well. Remember that both food and water is best for us when they’re obtained from nature without anything added, and without processing.


It’s easy to become dehydrated, especially in the warm weather when engaging in strenuous exercise. To help keep the body operating at the peak efficiency of 98.6 degrees F, perspiration occurs, bringing both water and salt to the surface of the skin. Healthy sports drinks are encouraged to help people to replace lost electrolytes and fluids.


The problem with most commercial sports drinks is that they often contain substances that the human body can’t recognize or use properly, including artificial colors and sugars, and flavorings which may include genetically modified ingredients. Rehydrating the body with these unnatural substances is counterproductive since extra energy must then be spent detoxifying from those substances.


To make a natural homemade sports drink, mix pure water with a carbohydrate such as tart cherry juice concentrate, and a complete source of sodium and minerals, such as Celtic sea salt. Used successfully by many of my athletic patients, an added benefit stems from the high ORAC value of the cherries. High levels of antioxidants in Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate are associated with reducing pain and inflammation, helping with joint function, cardiovascular function, the immune system, improved sleep cycle, and faster muscle recovery after exercise.


If you’d like to taste what we believe is the best Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate available, come to our Essential Energizing Exercise workshop on August 17th! Not only are the cherries grown in Michigan, but the farm meets the important standards of being environmentally verified.


Muscle breakdown, cramping, and interference with the strength gains that should’ve been made through exercising often occur when the wrong type of fluids are consumed after exercising. For example, all liquids that contain protein are considered food by the body and should be avoided immediately after exercising. Whether exercising just a little or a lot, your blood moves to your extremities to help you stay cool, to supply your muscles with food and oxygen, and carry off waste products. When blood must be sent to your stomach to deal with an intake of food, the blood is pulled away from the muscles where it’s needed.


I’m always amazed at all the incredible things our bodies are capable of when given what they need – and our bodies need water!



Dr. William H. Karl, D.C.



Dr. William H. Karl, D.C., is a Brimhall Certified Wellness Doctor with over 30 years experience helping people to achieve optimal health and wellness. On behalf of the Foundation for Wellness Professionals, he will speak at the Livonia Civic Center Library on Tuesday, August 30th at 7pm on this topic, “Soaking up More than Just the Sun.” Visit: www.karlwellnesscenter.com or call 734-425-8220.


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