Anti-Aging Strategies for Health and Longevity
Maim Chaim—Water of Life
By Steven and Rose Novil

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In Hebrew, Maim Chaim means water of life and indeed, without water life cannot exist.

You may be surprised as you read the following definition of water of how vital it is to all aspects of our health.

Water, H2O, hydrogen combined with oxygen, forms a tasteless, clear, odorless fluid. Being the principal chemical constituent of the body, water comprises approximately 65% of the body weight of an adult male and 55% of the weight of an adult female. It is distributed within the intracellular fluid and outside of the cells in the extra cellular fluid. Water is indispensable for metabolic activities within cells as it is the medium in which chemical reactions take place. Outside of cells, water is the principal transporting agent of the body.

Water is the principal constituent of all body fluids (blood, lymph, tissue fluid), of all secretions (salivary juice, gastric juice, bile, sweat), and all excretory fluids (urine). Intake of water is determined principally by the sense of thirst. Excessive intake may lead to water intoxication; excessive loss to dehydration. Humans can survive for only a short time without water intake. (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary.)

Last month we discussed aging and the skin. This month we focus on the importance of drinking water. Remember how your skin’s resiliency is affected by many factors? Just as a lack of hydration of the skin produces signs of outward aging, so, too, the internal organs must be hydrated properly. According to Oriental medical diagnosis, dry skin reflects dry organs.

Among people 65 or older, dehydration is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. This condition alone accounts for over $450 million expended by Medicare. How sad that such an easy condition to rectify causes tremendous discomfort and even death amongst seniors.

Several factors that lead to dehydration in the elderly are lower body water percentages, lack of awareness of thirst and hydration needs, lack of mental clarity and attention to personal needs, and illnesses that dehydrate such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. (Holloway, W.D., Water, the Foundation of Youth, Health and Beauty.)

To explain the physiological changes that lack of body water creates, consider the relationship between body water and blood volume. As blood volume is lowered, the hypothalamus is triggered. This is the brain’s thirst center and where the demand to drink comes from. The sensation of thirst comes from the concentration of sodium in the blood. Most people only consume enough liquid to quench their thirst and not enough to cover all of their water loss, thus dehydration may occur.

As we have said earlier, our sense of thirst becomes dulled as we age. The important body mechanisms used to regulate body water content are compromised with aging. The capacity to respond to dehydration and retain water is limited while thirst sensations, and thus the impulse to replace fluids, is also reduced with aging. In addition, other factors associated with aging can exacerbate this problem. For example, hormonal changes associated with menopause, chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, the use of certain medications or behavior adjustments to solve urinary incontinence problems, can increase the risk of water imbalance in older individuals. Older individuals and their families must be aware of the age-related changes in hydrational needs in an effort to reduce the risk or prevent disturbances in fluid balance. (American College of Sports Medicine, “Current Comment.”)

It is very important to drink pure, quality water. Evidence is mounting that tap water often contains toxic chemicals such as pesticides, chlorine, and heavy metals. A study conducted in the Environmental Epidemiology Program at Harvard School of Public Health has shown the adverse effects of city drinking water on senior citizens. (Schwartz, J. “Drinking water turbidity and the gastrointestinal illness in the elderly of Phillips, PA. Reduced Thirst after water deprivation in healthy elderly men” New England Journal of Medicine, 1984. Sept 20:311(12):753-9.) The researchers found a close correlation between cloudy (turbid) tap water and hospital admissions of seniors with gastrointestinal complaints. Seniors citizens having lower immune functions, disease resistance, and recuperative powers are very sensitive to less than ideal drinking water quality.

The best water to consume is distilled, filtered, or reverse osmosis filtered water. Gallons of reverse osmosis filtered water can be obtained locally at Dominick’s, Jewel, Whole Foods and Wild Oats Food Stores for approximately sixty cents per gallon. Store self service water purifiers are available. Just bring your empty bottles to fill up, or purchase them at the stores.

How Much Water is Enough?

Common advice is to drink a half glass of pure, quality water every half hour, even if you do not feel thirsty. This practice will insure that you consume at least 8–10 eight-ounce glasses of water daily. However, to be more precise, take the number of pounds you weigh and divide that number in half. The result is the number of fluid ounces of pure water that you should drink each day. For example, a 200 pound person should drink 100 fluid ounces (about twelve eight-ounce glasses) of pure water daily. The temperature of the water you drink is also very important. We recommend it be at room temperature or warmer to minimize inhibition of efficient digestive functions. (Holloway, W.D., Water, The Foundation of Youth, Health and Beauty.)

One secret we will share with you is to add a couple of drops of lemon or lime juice to your water which greatly assists in flushing out toxins. Also remember that consuming other drinks, such as soda, beer, wine, tea, coffee, or juice, are not replacements for pure water. These drinks contain so many dissolved ingredients that the movement of water from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood is inhibited and delayed. Optimal hydration is only achieved drinking pure water.

Believe it or not, something so simple, but essential, as the proper amount of water intake that guarantees proper hydration can help with the following conditions: Bowel and bladder problems, obesity, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, constipation, stiff joints, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain, headaches, anxiety attacks, food intolerances, acid stomach, heartburn, muscle pains, hot flashes, chronic fatigue syndrome, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and to help slow the aging process. (Balch, P., M.D., Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Batmanghelidj, F., M.D., Your Body’s Many Cries for Water.)

Remember, it is very important not only to consistently drink water throughout the day, but to drink pure, quality water. Speak with your health care practitioner for recommendations or contact the authors with questions.

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Steven and Rose Novil are both doctors of nutrition and naturopathy. Steven practices in Chicago and has lectured at international conferences on Anti-Aging as well as locally, and is an advisor to major supplement companies. In addition to her degrees in health, Rose is also a Professor of Library Services, consulting with Steven and researching new developments in the field of Anti-Aging. Their goal is to help people become pro-active and informed partners in creating their own personal anti-aging programs.

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