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A clear answer to how much water you need to drink. What's your water number?

Portsmouth NH July 23, 2004 -- How much water do you have to drink to stay healthy? With warmer weather approaching, it is important to keep a supply of drinking water closer than ever. Although it's undisputed that water is important for our body's healthy functioning, the quantity of water consumption an individual needs is a controversial subject in healthcare and exercise circles.

So what is the fuss about water anyway? Well, there are a couple of reasons it is important to stay hydrated: 1. Everyday life is a series of chemical reactions in your body (Breathing, your metabolism, even dealing with stress) all dependent on water to complete the formula and make you function properly 2.Your body uses water to detoxify itself, literally washing away the toxins people take in everyday 3.Water is how the body keeps itself cool. It is harder to raise the temperature of someone well hydrated than someone who doesn't drink any water because the water adds insulation to the body.

With these three factors in mind, it is easy to see with increases in environmental pollution, the lack of nutrients in the American diet and the increased amount of stress Americans face daily, why we need to keep our hydration level balanced.

The rule of thumb used to be 48-64 ounces per day for a normal American lifestyle and more for athletes. However, there is now a more accurate way to decide how much each individual needs to drink by taking their body weight and dividing it in half. Take that half body weight number and convert it to ounces. This number is the amount of ounces one should drink per day. So, if a person weighs 160 lbs., then they would need to drink 80 ounces of water per day. That same person should add 16 ounces more for every 2 lbs they lose during a work out and/or eight extra ounces for every caffeinated drink they consume (see the chart below for clearer formula).

Dehydration is more common than you may expect. People still think that drinking coffee, soda or fruit juice is the same as drinking water. The truth is that there is so much sugar and caffeine in these liquids that hardly any of the water in them is left over for hydration.
Those most susceptible to dehydration include the elderly and small children. Children become dehydrated easily because they play outside in the hot summer air and drink lots of sugar filled drinks. Telling symptoms of dehydration are: ringing ears, disorientation, sluggish mood, headaches and mood swings. If fainting occurs medical attention should be sought immediately.

Treatment for mild dehydration is simple. Drink water. Also by eating some saltine crackers, the salt will create more thirst and help you retain more of the water you drink. For more information, ask your health care professional or call Port City Chiropractic at (603) 433-2447 to receive a "Better Hydration Information Packet" free of charge.

Shawn Shapiro is a Chiropractic Physician and owner of Port City Chiropractic in downtown Portsmouth NH, he cn be reached at portcitychiro@aol.com or by calling the clinic 603-433-2447