Articles

Keeping Properly Hydrated

By Dr. Jon M. Tanner

Why is it so important to drink plenty of water every day? Many people think they are doing well in this area because they drink a lot of fluids such as iced tea, sports drinks etc., but this does not count towards the amount of fluids one should be drinking. The body needs water in its purest form. Pure water helps to transport nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. If your water intake is too low, your body will not be able to transport these nutrients, and there will be a buildup of ammonia and uric acid (which leads to gout and kidney stones), and your muscle fullness will decrease. Did you know that muscle is comprised of over 70% water! Working out causes you to sweat, which in turn requires a higher fluid intake. To stay properly hydrated, follow this simple formula that Author/Fitness guru Bill Phillips suggests:

• Take your bodyweight and multiply it by .55. This equals the number of ounces of pure water you should drink every day.
  Example: If I weight 150 pounds
  150 x .55 = 82.5 Ounces
  8 ounces = 1 glass therefore you should drink roughly 10 glasses per day.
• If you are exercising in extreme heat, he suggests you multiply the number by .66.

Note: The information contained on this website regarding exercise, diet and supplementation is not intended as a substitute for consulting your physician. All matters regarding your physical health should be supervised by a physician.