I’m sure some of my practice members think I’m obsessed with their hydration status but there is a reason why! About two-thirds of your body is water! According to the Journal of Biological Chemistry the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, lungs 83%, skin 64%, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and bones come in at 31% water! Think it’s important yet?

Here’s some essential functions of water in your body:

• Water is the building material of your cells.
• Regulates body temperature by sweating and respiration
• Assists in elimination of toxins and waste products through urination and bowel movements
• Acts as a shock absorber
• Forms saliva and digestive enzymes
• Helps muscles contract
• Makes up part of our blood that carries oxygen throughout our body
• Lubricates joints

One study conducted by Harvard found that more than half of American children are dehydrated. One quarter of children in the US do not drink water on a daily basis.

When you have lost between one to two percent of your total water content your body will signal and you will feel thirsty. By this time it is likely that you are already in the early stages of dehydration.

Common symptoms are dehydration include:

• Headache
• Foggy brain
• Muscle cramps
• Back and joint ache
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Sugar cravings

A good goal is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. So if you weigh 150lbs you should aim to drink approximately 75oz of water. This will vary based on activity level, heat, perspiration. So drink up!