Water is an essential nutrient. I imagine that most of us probably don’t think of water as a nutrient, but I would suggest that it is possibly one of the most essential nutrients we need to keep our bodies functioning optimally.
Why do I say that? Because a lack of water or chronic dehydration is one of the contributing factors of disease and the aging process.
Dr. Batmanghelidj discovered the healing properties of water by accident when he was with a person who was suffering from such intense pain in his stomach from an ulcer that he couldn’t even walk. As he had nothing on hand at that time, he instructed the man to drink two glasses of water, amazingly within 3 minutes the pains were greatly subsided and within eight minutes the pain was gone! As a result, Dr. B. did extensive studies and research into the healing and pain-relieving properties of water.
When our body isn’t hydrated enough to sufficiently distribute water to where it is needed, the affected areas are not able to properly deal with toxic waste build up and metabolism. Our cells which are plump, shrivel and the nerve endings will register this to the brain and in turn the brain will register this to us in the form of pain such as migraines, joint aches and pains, fibromyalgia pain, heartburn, etc.
Let’s look at a few diseases whose underlying cause are symptoms of dehydration according to Dr. Batmanghelidj.
High Blood Pressure
One of the functions of the blood is to transport and diffuse needed water and nutrients into the cells of our body. When our body is dehydrated, the cells become constricted, and our blood becomes more concentrated. This causes the blood to have to use more pressure to do its job, thus creating the symptoms of High Blood Pressure. Drinking more water and adding unrefined sea salt like Pink Himalayan Sea Salt with trace minerals and minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium and Zinc, returns the body’s cells to normal size and function and the symptoms of High Blood Pressure will disappear.
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a vital component in your body.
Cholesterol when operating in a balanced healthy body produces cell membranes, brain cells, nerve insulation, hormones and Vitamin D.
When signs of dehydration start occurring in the body, cholesterol will fill the gaps in some cells to protect them from water and nutrient loss.
In an emergency situation, Cholesterol acts as a bandage for abrasions and tears in the arterial walls and protects them when blood that has become acidic and concentrated is pushed through arteries and capillaries that have become constricted because of dehydration. If the cholesterol wasn’t there to cover the tears, then the blood would get under the membrane and peel it off, which would kill you.
Asthma
When we become dehydrated our bronchial tubes tighten up to close the holes where water has been lost from the body, causing reduced air flow into the lungs. This symptom is what we call Asthma.
Drinking water helps to clear up these symptoms and adding unrefined sea salt helps to break up the mucus that clogs the breathing passages.
Chronic dehydration can also contribute to the following:
Fatigue: water is the bodies main energy source.
Depression: water increases endorphins, so dehydration can contribute to moodiness and depression.
Aging: chronic dehydration contributes to sagging and wrinkled skin that is no longer smooth and supple. The same constriction and loss of suppleness that happens to our cells, shows up on our skin.
Clearly, we need to drink enough water throughout the day to help our body function properly.
You can start by drinking a glass of water with an unrefined mineral salt like Himalayan pink salt for trace minerals and electrolytic properties when you get up in the morning and about 30 minutes before you go to bed at night. And make sure to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day.
Our body alerts us to the lack of nutrients like water by pain responses, allergies, an illness and symptoms of disease, but with proper hydration, a healthy diet and exercise, we can help keep our bodies functioning properly and live a healthier life.