The Body’s Many Cries for Water:

"Today we are going to visit the topic of drinking water, simply because it is so crucial. Most people are dehydrated, because they do not drink sufficient water. It is sound advice to suggest that everybody drink eight glasses per day. These don’t have to be enormous sizes, but the action does need to be consistent. Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj was an Iranian Doctor who completed his medical training at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. After the downfall of the Shah, in 1978 he was arrested and imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, branded an enemy of the State under sentence of death. He remained a prisoner for three years and continued his work as a doctor, but there was one snag. The authorities refused to provide him with medicines, so he used the single resource available to him, water!

 Dr. Batmanghelidj is the author of “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water”. In the book, he writes about his findings during the years he worked using water as his only remedy. He claims thirst is only one of the body’s ways of expressing dehydration. He feels a dry mouth is an advanced stage of lack. His clinical practice in prison gave him the experience to assign several different illnesses which he felt were symptoms of dehydration. These broad maladies include asthma, angina, indigestion obesity and several others including many psychological symptoms. In Chapter 5 of his book, he says ” “Pathology that is seen to be associated with “social stresses” –fear, anxiety, insecurity, persistent emotional and marital problems and the creation of depression--are the results of water deficiency to the point the water requirements of the brain tissue is affected. “The message is clear; if you want better health, drink more water.

 When we buy water, it comes in plastic bottles. It can have been in the bottles a long time. The plastic, a bi-product from the petrochemical industry, contains phthalates. These are added to make it more flexible. Di-octyl Phthalate mimics the effect of estrogen. Hormone imbalance is becoming increasingly common. Many women are experiencing estrogen dominance that gives rise to fat around the middle and in the thighs as well as cellulite build-up. Too much estrogen makes for more difficult periods. What's more, the incidence of breast cancer is on the rise and in men sperm counts have been declining for an unusually long time, whilst male pattern baldness is reaching epidemic proportions. These chemicals are leaching into the water.

Another worrying factor associated with this is the decline in the pH of water. You probably remember that pH (stands for potential hydrogen) of water should be 7. 7 make water neutral. It is the cut off between acid and alkaline. Water is becoming acid. This is distressing because over acidity leads to disease. When our blood and other fluids lean towards a more alkaline level illness finds it difficult to occur. Besides, blood pH has an extremely narrow window of opportunity that lies between 7.36 and 7.45, with an average in the range of 7.41. When the blood sways towards the lower end, acidosis occurs and to the higher reaches alkalosis happens. If blood becomes too acid, it is a life threatening situation. The body tries to correct the high levels by drawing calcium from the bones. Calcium as an alkalizing affect, but as the blood leaches the mineral from the bones, it also weakens them. This is the basis of osteoporosis. We need to keep pH ranges in perfect balance. You can ensure your drinking water remains alkaline by adding a slice of lime or lemon Yes, lime and lemon has an acid pH when tested outside the body. It can be as low as 3.5, but foods are tested after digestion by the ash they produce. In the body lemon becomes highly alkaline, usually with a pH of approximately 8. From now on be sure to include a slice of lime or lemon to your water to maintain at least a neutral pH of 7 if not higher. That’s it for today, if you have any questions we welcome comments and queries via the website." This article by Alister Bredee first appeared in "The Southern Times."