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The Critical Chemical Needed for Survival

by: SamuelS.Peters
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It is made up of two gases, two atoms of hydrogen, and one of oxygen. When they are combined chemically, they produce the body's most important nutrient, water!

Did you know that 70%-80% of your body weight is water? It helps to keep the blood a liquid, metabolize fat, maintain body temperature, wash out toxins from the body, transport nutrients, lubricate and cushion organs, and a host of other benefits.

We each need at least 64 ounces of water per day. If you are active, you need even more. When you don't get enough, you become dehydrated. Then the body takes the water from any place it can, including the blood.

One result of dehydration is that the body closes some capillaries. This makes the blood thicker, harder to pump, and more likely to clot. This in turn results in high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and possible heart disease. It has also been linked to arthritis, heartburn, and headaches.

Some have estimated that as many as 75% of Americans are dehydrated. Sometimes the body might seem to be saying, "I'm hungry," but it is really saying, "I'm thirsty." A drink of water also might temporarily eliminate hunger pangs and help to keep body weight under control by avoiding snacking.

Our bodies take in water three ways. We get it from the foods we eat, the fluids we drink, and as a by-product of metabolism. It is always better to drink pure water instead of soda, tea, or coffee. These products may actually increase your need for fluids because most contain caffeine, which is a diuretic. Diuretics force out stored water along with certain essential nutrients, a reverse osmosis of the cells.

Dehydration is dangerous. Dehydration leading to a 2% loss of body weight may affect mental ability. Reducing water in the body as little as 5% can result in as much as a 20%-30% drop in physical performance; 10% reduction can make you sick, and 20% can mean death. With water pollution on the rise, it is best to drink filtered water whenever possible.

Though a number of sicknesses are directly related to a lack of water, the cure is often simply to take in more water. High blood pressure, cholesterol problems, ulcers, kidney problems, stress, and headaches can sometimes be cured by drinking pure water. Drinking 64 ounces of water a day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, of breast cancer by 79%, and of bladder cancer by 50%!

It is obviously not as option that we take in sufficient quantities of water each day. We must also make sure that water is pure and clean. Surprisingly, tap water and even bottled water may not be. Water you purify yourself through a charcoal filter is best. You can be confident 64 ounces of that will eliminate dehydration related illnesses.

About the Author

Using the Black Berkey charcoal gravity filters, the Berkey Water Filter is able to filter out a much higher percentage of contaminants than filters where water pressure forces the contaminants through. Click the links to learn more.

The Critical Chemical Needed for Survival

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