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DOES A BODY GOOD
ne of the most basic routes to good health lies in the simple task of drinking water. “We have to have it to survive. And half of our body weight is water,” says Terri Sakelaris, registered dietitian with Community Hospital— Fitness Pointe in Munster. “The hydration aspect of it is very important.” Sakelaris says keeping hydrated helps keep blood pressure and blood sugar down and regulates body temperature. “And when you’re dehydrated, you can become fatigued,” she says, adding that may often lead to people feeling confused and not able to think clearly. Because of rigorous workouts and excessive sweating, athletes must be especially careful to keep hydrated. It’s key to drink water when you’re physically active because water and its nutrients travel to the body’s cells for good functioning. According to the website healthcave.com, water greatly helps in transporting nutrients “from one place of our body to another, thus making a constant flow which helps our body to function properly.” In addition, people on medication should consume a good amount of water because medicine tends to dehydrate the system, Sakelaris says. Water also helps keep our systems and pH levels in balance. And since water has no calories, it’s often the drink of choice for those watching their weight. Other functions of water in the body include the removal of waste and toxins, healthy heart function and energy renewal. “People should replace water frequently,” Sakelaris says. “And they should follow the 8 rule.” The 8 rule, or as it’s often called, the 8-by-8 rule, revolves around drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. —Eloise Marie Valadez
We are your no more snoring specialists.
Medical Specialists Department of Pulmonary Medicine Munster 219-922-5416
www.MedSpecIndiana.com
july/august 2012 | GET HEALTHY | 15