I knew water was a vital part of our existence, but until recently, I was not aware of the importance of the type of water that our bodies need to work at an optimal level. The mineral content of the water that we drink is an important component for hydrating our bodies.”Real water” seems to have fallen by the wayside and its importance is being overlooked, forgotten or just simply ignored. Chlorine is being added to our municipal water systems and bottled water is being stripped of everything except the wet part.

Deborah Petrovitch, our local Registered Holistic Nutritionist explains, “The body’s daily water usage for a 130-155 lb person is 2 quarts. The urinary system uses 50 per cent, the skin uses 25 per cent, the lungs 19 per cent and 6 per cent exits in the feces. If you aren’t supplying your body with at least 1/2 your weight in ounces via your food and drinking water per day, it makes it very difficult to avoid constipation, eliminate toxins, maintain healthy blood pressure and energy levels. The most common symptoms of dehydration are hunger, fatigue, headaches, light headedness and nausea. A practical way to check your fluid levels is to monitor the color of your urine, which should be a very pale yellow (keep in mind certain vitamins affect urine color). Drink cool to room temperature water 1 hour before meals for optimal absorption.

If you are drinking ample water but find you are still excessively thirsty or urinating frequently, look to mineral absorption, specifically electrolytes, the minerals that help keep the body’s fluid levels in balance and allow water to actually reach your cells. When the majority of vegetables eaten are prepared from frozen and cooked (or worse yet, canned) your mineral intake will be sorely lacking. Raw fruits and vegetables are the perfect mineral donors, if eaten raw or juiced fresh. A diet high in these along with homemade soups and pure herbal teas contribute to your body’s needs. Sea salt contains an excellent balanced profile of minerals, unlike table salt. These foods contain natural proportions of each mineral for optimal absorption. The mineral matrix is like a spider web….when one thread is pulled, the entire complex shifts. Addressing digestive issues will also improve your mineral levels. Note that excessive thirst and frequent urination can also be a sign of diabetes, and this should be checked by your health care provider.”