Water is probably the single most important component to long term health. Every life­ giving and healing process that happens in your body happens with water. Drinking sufficient amounts water is one of the best invest­ments you can make in your health.

Dehydration and Dis­ease Many people are dehy­drated without even realizing it. Contributing factors include not drinking enough water, excess consumption of caf­feine and alcohol, and spend­ing long hours in dry environ­ments such as offices with controlled air systems and lots of electronic equipment. In just the last decade, medi­cal science has begun to fo­cus more on the tremendous healing ability our bodies have and how much that ability de­pends on water. Many doctors now believe that dehydration is the root cause of all kinds of ailments, from indigestion to arthritis to more serious conditions such as heart prob­lems and hypertension. “The link between dehydra­tion, degeneration and disease has led researchers to do in depth studies of the functions and properties of water. What doctors label as disease is deep dehydration.” F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. Over the past twenty years, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj has been conducting research and edu­cating people on the benefits of water therapy. In his very informative book, Your Body’s Many Cries For Wa­ter, he explains how most of the pain we experience may be due to moderate or acute dehydration. According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, a recognized expert on natural and preven­tive treatments: Asthma is a direct result of increased histamine production. Air is obstructed so that water does not leave the body in the form of vapor. An increase in wa­ter intake can reduce histamine levels and restore normal hy­dration to lung tissue. Increased water along with more salt intake may help pre­vent asthma attacks.

Back Pain is a sign of water shortage in the spinal column and discs, the water cushions that support the weight of the body. The disks in your back are little hydrau­lic shock absorbers, made up of an outer shell filled with fluid. A properly hydrated disk creates a cushion that absorbs the shock of physical activity.

These discs are self-hy­drating as long as there is ad­equate fluid levels and regular movement. When your discs become dehydrated, you may experience pain, swelling and soreness. By maintaining a constant and adequate intake E of water combined with regular movement, you may be a able to prevent or stop most a minor back and neck pain. J Arthritis is a signal of water s shortage in the painful joint. Your body uses water to lubricate your joints. When a your water levels are reduced, F there is increased friction between cartilage surfaces, resulting in swelling, stiffness and pain. An increased intake of water and gentle rhythmic movements of joints may ease and in many cases relieve mi­nor arthritic pain.

High Blood Pressure occurs when there is not enough water to fill all the blood vessels. It is often the result of your body adjusting to blood volume loss. The most common cause of low blood volume is dehydration. Drinking mort water along with some salt intake may help bring blood pressure back to normal.