THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER

Dr. Batmanghelidj, who was trained in England under Sir Alexander Flemming, experienced a major paradigm shift in the process of treating people in a very crowded, stressful prison setting. He came to realize that clinical medicine is based on a false assumption and an inaccurate premise. Science has assumed that the solute composition is the reactive regulator of all the functions of the body, and that water acts only as a solvent, a space filler, and a means of transport. Under this erroneous assumption, all research has been directed toward identifying one particular substance that can be held responsible for causing a disease, and treatments (except for bacterial infections) have been palliative rather than curative. Hyper­tension is not generally cured; it is treated during the lifetime of a person. Asthma is not cured; inhalers are the constant companion of the afflicted. Allergy is not cured; the victim is always dependent on medication, etc. The combination of his clinical and literature research has shown that it is the water content that regulates all functions of the body, including the activity of ail the solutes that are dissolved in it.

If there is not enough water in the body to meet all the body's needs, it is rationed out by the brain according to priority. "Water distribution" is the only way of making sure that not only an adequate amount of water, but that its transported elements (hormones, chemical messengers and nutrients) first reach the more vital organs. In turn, every organ that produces a substance to be made available to the rest of the body will only monitor its own rate and standards of production and release into the "flowing water," according to constantly changing quotas set by the brain.

Chronic dehydration is the root cause of almost all currently encountered major diseases of the human body. "Dry mouth" is not the only sign of dehydration of the body. In fact, this signal is the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. Damage occurs at a level of persistent dehydration that does not necessarily demonstrate a dry mouth signal. Humans seem to lose their thirst sensation. Not recognizing their water need, they become gradually, increasingly, and chronically dehydrated, from an early adult age. As the water content of the cells decreases, so does the efficiency of cell activity. Disturbances in water metabolism of the body produce a variety of signals indicating a "system" disturbance in the particular functions associated with the water supply and its rationed regulation. The regulating neurotransmitter systems (histamine and its subordinate agents: vasopressin, renin-angiotensin (RA), prostaglandins and kinins) become increasingly active as the body becomes increasingly dehydrated. These cause pain when they come across pain-sensing nerves. It is the difference in the "chemical blueprint" of each body that initially show the signs of chronic dehydration by different outward indicators.

In the past, medical science has reacted to the body's signals of dehydration by blocking them through the use of medication when their purpose should have been understood and satisfied by drinking more water. A vast majority of very frequently used medications are either directly or indirectly antihistamines. Antihistamine medications will strongly affect the immune system at the level of the bone marrow. Chronic pains that cannot be easily explained as injury or infection should first and foremost be interpreted as signals of chronic water shortage in the area where pain is registered. Examples: dyspeptic pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, anginal pain, low back pain, leg pain when walking, migraines, colitis pain. These pain signals should be first considered and excluded as primary indicators for dehydration of the body before any other complicated procedures are undertaken.

Dehydration is the number one stressor of the human body. When the body becomes dehydrated, the physiological processes that will establish are the same ones that occur when coping with stress. In stress, the body assumes a crisis situation and will begin to mobilize for a "fight or flight" response. Several strong hormones become secreted and will remain "triggered" until the body gets out of its stressful circumstances. Stress depletes certain body reserves and uses up some of the water reserves of the body. Dehydration equals stress, and stress will cause further dehydration.

The body's thirst mechanism     [ top ]

Wouldn't a person know when he is thirsty? Blood tests don't show the sort of chronic dehydration we have been talking about.

The medical profession was misguided by a historical event. At the turn of the century when science was getting into medicine to find answers, there was a discussion about when the body needs water. Around 1900, one very influencial doctor in England gave a lecture and invited a lot of people from all over and said that dry mouth is the only signal of dehydration. Everyone accepted this. No one looked at any other indicator. I've been doing some work on water metabolism for 16 years and I've come to the understanding that dry mouth is not the main indicator of thirst. The earlier and more accurate indicators of body dehydration are perceptive feelings:

• feeling tired - because water is the main source of energy to the body. Water is the best pick-me-up there is.

• feeling irritable and not knowing why - water is a source of energy for the brain. If there is dehydration, the brain doesn't have enough energy to deal with new situations, thoughts, actions. Irritability becomes a part of the brain's way of saying, "I can't cope with this thing because there isn't enough energy."

• feeling anxious - anxiety is an indicator of dehydration. Dr. Batmanghelidj read a letter from an agoraphobic who was cured by drinking water.

• feeling dejected - inadequacy - can't carry out what you want

• feeling depressed - shortage of energy

• heavy head as in the first thing in the morning - not enough water to open vascular system

• disturbed sleep or not deep sleep or dreaming of water vividly - wakes us up to get water

• anger and quick temper - brain doesn't have enough energy to reason a situation and wants to get rid of the topic. An ancient Oriental way: when a person becomes angry, they hand him a glass of water and even give him some salt.

• unreasonable - impatience

• short attention span in children and grownups

• shortness of breath - early stages of asthma. It's wise to drink water before sports.

• cravings for sodas; manufactured beverages - conditioned reflex

Up to a point, drought management is a simple silent process. However, if it stays in operation over a long period of time, it produces emergency thirst signals. We have considered these to be disease conditions and treated them with surgery, medications, etc. -all sorts of unhealthy ways we've inherited from black magic of ancient times. The body possesses a variety of emergency calls when it's short of water. They are dyspeptic pain, heartburn, rheumatoid joint pain, headaches, leg pain, anginal pain, low back pain, leg pain when walking, neck pain, migraines, colitis pain. Pain is a signal of dehydration. I'm not talking of pain from injury but of pain that you can relieve with painkillers. Most analgesics break the communication between histamine and the subordinates and the pain is relieved. There comes a time when painkillers will not be enough, because these painkillers act locally. The brain also senses dehydration and remembers the pain that you took the painkiller for and accentuates it until you get the message and relieve it with water.

Before dehydration hurts you irreversibly, the body will show its absolutely urgent need for water by asthma, allergies, dyspeptic pain. chronic arthritic joints, high blood pressure, higher blood cholesterol, stress, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, angina, strokes, vertigo, deafness, glaucoma, cataracts, vitreous detachment, uveitis, MS, bulimia, fibromyalgia, etc. If you don't understand the significance of pain as a sign of dehydration, you'll force your body into a disease state.

Other problems related to dehydration: ulcers, false appendicitis, hiatal hernia, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, obesity, kidney damage, muscular dystropy, edema.

The body has a lot of reserve. When the body begins to produce symptoms, it means that the body has used up most of its reserves. Each cell is like a city floating in an ocean unto itself. In order to communicate with other cells, it has certain receptors - it receives messages and translates them. Unfortunately, dehydration affects these receptors, the quantity or variety until gradually the cell begins to lose a lot of the receptors. That's how most diseases occur because the cell is no longer integrated with the rest of the system. There is a preliminary stage of suppression of the receptor manufacturing process and eventually loss of those functions. If you have allowed dehydration to continue, then gradually some aspects of your body do not receive information accurately and your body is not able to act on the information. However, if you correct the dehydration, it is possible that some of those functions are recovered.

44 of the top reasons why your body needs water everyday     [ top ]

1. Without water nothing lives. Whenever you become dehydrated, your cells die.

2. When there isn't enough water, something has to go - some cells, functions die.

3. Water is the main source of energy. It is the cash flow of the body. Not drinking water is like going shopping without money.

4. Water generates electrical and magnetic energy in every cell of the body - the power to live. The electrical energy also operates as a magnetic energy and aligns the various particles like a magnet so they give the right presentation to engage in a chemical action.

5. Water is the bonding adhesive in the architectural design of the cell. It holds cells together.

6. Water prevents DNA damage - less abnormal DNA is made.

7. Water increases many fold the efficiency of the immune system - all of its mechanisms, including against cancer.

8. Water is the main solvent for all foods, vitamins, and minerals.

9. Water is used in the breakdown of food into smaller particles and their eventual metabolism.

10. Water will energize food and food particles are then able to supply the body with energy during digestion.

11. Water will increase the absorption of essential substances in food.

12. Water is used for the transport of all substances inside the body. When water reaches a cell, it also brings it oxygen and takes away the waste gases to the lungs for disposal.

14. Water clears the toxic waste from different parts of the body and takes it to the liver and kidneys for disposal.

15. Water is the main lubricant in the joint spaces and prevents arthritis and hack pain.

16. Water is used in the spinal discs to make them shock absorbing water cushions.

17. Water is the best lubricating laxative and prevents constipation.

18. Water prevents heart attacks and strokes.

19. Water prevents clogging of arteries in the heart.

20. Water is essential for the cooling and heating of the body.

21. Water gives us power and electrical energy for all brain functions, most particularly thinking. Thinking is an energy-consuming process that requires energy.

22. Water prevents ADD in children and grownups.

23. Water increases efficiency at work.

24. Water is a better pick-me-up than any other beverage in the world - no side effects.

25. Water will prevent stress, anxiety, and depression.

26. Water will restore normal sleep rhythm.

27. Water prevents fatigue. It gives the energy of youth.

28. Water makes the skin smooth and prevents aging.

29. Water gives a luster and shine to the eyes. It maintains vision because processing light information requires a lot of energy to transfer the information from one mechanism in the eye to another part in the brain.

30. Water prevents glaucoma.

31. Water will normalize the blood manufacturing systems in the bone marrow. It prevents leukemia and ____.

32. Water dilutes the blood and prevents it from clotting during circulation.

33. Water will decrease premenstrual pains.

34. Water and heartbeat create the dilution and waves that keep things from sedimenting in the blood stream.

35. The human body has no water storage. This is why you have to drink regularly.

36. Dehydration prevents sex hormone production. This is one of the primary causes of impotence and loss of libido

37. Drinking water will separate the sensation of thirst from hunger. That's why we lose weight by taking water.

38. To lose weight, H20 is the best way to go. Drink water on time and lose weight without dieting.

39. Dehydration deposits toxic sediments in the tissue spaces, joints, liver, kidneys, brain and skin.

40. Water will take away morning sickness of pregnancy.

41. Water integrates mind and body functions. It increases ability and the realization of goals and purpose.

42. Water reverses addictive urges including for caffeine, alcohol, and some drugs.

43. Proteins and enzymes function more efficiently in solutions of lower viscosity (stickiness). In solutions of higher viscosity —in a dehydrated state—the proteins and enzymes become less efficient.

44. Dehydration is one of the greatest producers of free radicals in the body. The body mechanisms that are supposed to prevent the generation of free radicals get destroyed by dehydration. And water is the greatest free radical remover.

How much water should one drink?     [ top ]

In 24 hours, the body recycles almost 40,000 glasses of water in its routine functions. In the process, it uses up 6 - 8 glasses (48 - 64 oz.) of the total body water for essential functions. It will only use more water if it receives more water. The body needs on average 1/2 its body weight. The minimum is 2 quarts and a little more. Water is regulated by a very tight control system and whatever water is available will he distributed according to priority of function. If you don't drink water on a regular basis, some function of the body has to be sacrificed on a temporary basis until more water arrives. If more water doesn't arrive on a long-term basis, then those functions which can be abandoned, will be abandoned. That's why we lose gradually throughout life certain functions of our body. When we don't drink enough water, we begin to accumulate toxic waste in areas where it shouldn't be and that is where disease begins.

A person should drink a minimum of 6-8 glasses a day, more if you drink any caffeinated beverages, and more if you are a much heavier than normal person. If you live or travel in a hot area like Phoenix, you may need 18 glasses a day. Drink till your urine is clear. That is a gauge to go by. It means your body is no longer concentrating urine to retain water.

Naturally, because of your increased intake of water, you will notice increased urine production. This can cause a loss of salt and water-soluble vitamins. You may need to increase your vitamin intake from foods or supplements. Also increase salt intake. You need water to increase the water inside the cells. You need salt to increase the water in the spaces surrounding the cells. Salt depletion causes body water content loss. If there is not enough salt, it will be taken out of the bones to maintain its vital levels in the blood. If you develop cramps, you should assume that the salt in your diet is not sufficient for your body's needs. For every eight glasses of water you drink, you should take 1/4 tsp of salt. If you don't, your body will not be able to retain the water and you may remain dehydrated. Salt is a natural antihistamine. Sodium is a natural mucus breaker.

Water intake should be gradually increased. A person who is completely dehydrated can get ill from drinking lots of water all at once. If a problem has persisted many years, make sure your kidneys can make sufficient urine so that they do not retain too much water in the body. Drink water medicinally, just a little bit at a time, but by the clock as if it were medication. Water should be taken in 8 or 16 ounce portions spaced throughout the day since there is no area where the body can store water. What you drink will be used up for whatever function that's immediately needed and the excess will be thrown out. In the same way that we don't let our car run short of gas before we fill the tank, we must also not allow the body to run short of water before we give it water.

Water should definitely be taken before eating meals. If you do not drink water before you eat food, the process of food digestion will take its toll on the cells of the body. The best time is 30 minutes before eating to prepare the digestive tract. When we drink 8 ounces of water, that water is absorbed in the intestinal tract, but it's resecreted into the stomach from its base, and within 1/2 hour the stomach has about the same amount (8 ounces of water) in it ready for the food to come. However, when you drink it, (5 minutes or 1/2 hour) water should be taken before food. If you're not able to drink before food, definitely drink with your food. Don't imagine that it will dilute your juices. It will not. The juices will function much better when there is plenty of water around them. Water should be taken any time you are thirsty-­even during meals. Water should be taken 2 1/2 hours after a meal to complete the process of digestion.

Water should be taken first thing in the morning to correct dehydration produced during sleep. Through breathing we lose a lot of water. Since we sleep about 8 hours without taking water, the body is thoroughly dehydrated in the morning, and it needs water. So, first thing in the morning one should take 1, 2, or even 3 glasses of water. Water should be taken before exercising to manufacture sweat and perspiration. We shouldn't borrow water to cool the body down. Water should be taken as a laxative in people who are constipated and don't eat enough fruits and vegetables.

If you drink water before bedtime, the sleep that you have will be far more relaxing and revitalizing. Getting up at night does not destroy what is called your R.E.M. sleep-it doesn't have to be in continuous segments. The first couple of weeks you have to get used to the fact that you are going to be in the bathroom all of the time. But after a few weeks, your body expands and begins to hold it.

Nothing can substitute for water     [ top ]

Water is the vital substance the body needs. Give it anything else and you are sentencing yourself to a lifetime of ill health and pain. Beverages that contain other chemicals in them don't function the same way as water would. Some may ask what about juices? Nothing replaces the water that the body needs. The full amount of water can't be replaced by the same amount of juices. You cannot drink 8-10 ounces of any juice as a replacement for the 8-10 glasses of water that we need. Too much orange juice for example will cause a lot of histamine production and can cause asthma. Even the natural sugar in juices will program the liver into fat-storing mode. That's a prescription for getting fat. Excess sugar has an effect on the brain. And too much insulin will dry out the system - it will take water out of the extracellular environment. Therefore, juices that are sweet, juices that contain a lot of potassium are not the right substitute for water that the body needs. 

Alcohol and caffeine     [ top ]

Alcohol and caffeine in water alter the physiology of the body and do not allow the water to function in its rightful capacity. They get water out of the system faster than water is able to reach the outlying cells and reach the cells that are being dehydrated. The water isn't able to reach the cells and enter inside and pick up the physiological functions of the cell in the way that the cell should function. Hangover headaches are an ache of dehydration because alcohol prevents emergency water supply to the brain cells. If you drink a cup of a caffeine-containing beverage, you should drink an additional glass of pure water to compensate for it. A cup of coffee contains 80 mgs of caffeine. Soda contains 50 mgs of caffeine. With caffeine, one urinates more than the volume of water in a cup of the beverage. If it's a hot beverage, you also sweat which means more loss of water. As you dehydrate the body you create stress in your tissues. The body responds by producing hormones in the brain called endorphins. You become addicted to their effects. Water is the main source of energy for the brain and it maximizes the capacity of the brain to think and to function. Caffeine inhibits enzymes that are needed in making memory, eventually causing loss of memory. People taking 5 or 6 cups of coffee a day are twice as liable to suffer heart attacks. Caffeine affects the repair mechanism of DNA - it will become inefficient. Alcohol causes impotence, liver damage, suppresses the immune system and increases the chances of developing cancers.

Quality of water     [ top ]

Naturally, water should be free of chemicals, toxic metals, bacteria and parasitic contaminants. Unfortunately, many of the sources of water have become contaminated. This problem has been compounded by the age of water pipes that have been laid down in urban areas many decades ago and have by now collected layers of deposit in them. Further problems seem to present themselves by the age and inadequacies of water filtration and treatment plants that are not equal to the task in most major cities. Although chlorinating of water is adequate against bacterial and amoebic contaminants at the normal and acceptable levels, chlorine is not effective against cryptosporidium and possibly giardia. If there is a possibility that the water in your area might contain toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, mercury or too much iron or aluminum, get an alternative supply. There are companies that could deliver large containers of water to your home on a regular basis. Or you can buy solid carbon filters that remove all of the toxic metals, chlorine, fluoride, and bacteria, chemicals, giardia, and cryptosporidium.

Dr. Batmanghelidj doesn't recommend distilled water. "Distilled water is a very corrosive form of water. It immediately tries to dissolve things. There is a remote possibility that distilled water may in the long run decalcify the teeth. Distilled water is empty. Water needs to carry things. That is its nature. That's why distilled water can be potentially weakening. Healthfood enthusiasts claim it only removes "dead, inorganic" minerals. I don't believe that."

For those of you who have well water, make sure that your well always is chlorinated very often to prevent bacteria and fungal growth in the stagnant water of the well. You should routinely check the casing of your well for surface water leaks into your well. Surface water could carry other organisms or parasites such as giardia because deer, sheep and cows, etc. contaminate the soil with their parasites.

Make sure you drink enough water. If you have to buy water 1 gallon or 2 gallons at a time, you'll probably go short of water. Don't let chlorine stop you. If chlorine bothers you, let water stand for 1/2 hour in an open top jug. Since chlorine is a natural gas, it will evaporate and water will become sweet and will not smell. For washing purposes its wise to attach a dechlorination filter to the shower head.     [ top ]

For more information, read Dr. Batmanghelidj's book Your Body's Many Cries for Water. Available from Global Health Solutions, http://www.watercure.com/books1.htm 8472-A Tyco Road, Vienna,   VA 22182. The cost is $14.95 (soft-cover) or $27 (hard-cover) plus shipping and handling.

WHY NO CUBES?

...you might ask.

As much as I looked in various resources (which will probably continue), I will have to rely on personal experience for this part. I underwent quite a range of healing experiences over the course of twenty years or so, involving acupuncture, macrobiotics, bio-energetic therapy, chiropractic, TBM, martial arts, yoga, weight lifting, etc. The first nutritional treatment was the macrobiotics. 

Macrobiotics is an excellent healing diet. (See Diet page.) Principles of macrobiotics include eating foods from your temperate zone and season, and avoiding extremes of yin and yang, including hot and cold, spicy and sweet, sour and salty. Drinking cold water, or ice water, puts the body to work to warm up the liquid so it can be processed. Extra energy is devoted to the digestion, and some say the cold shocks the kidneys and chills them, slowing the liquid processing even more, and possibly filling the bladder. The chilling effect is also felt by the digestive system, slowing digestion and demanding more energy for the process. Thus, room temperature water, or lightly cooled water in the summer, is recommended over ice water, as a question of balance. For me, this means I always carry a supply of room temperature, filtered water (we had a tap filter installed in my home) in plastic bottles. I use the plastic bottles to avoid potential spills next to outlet boxes inches from my feet (yet another occupational hazard for musicians!), and to make it easily transportable.   

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