WATER THE NUTRIENT OF LIFE - Water WATER Water

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WATER

Part 1 WATER THE NUTRIENT OF LIFE

More of this Feature

• Part 2: HOW MUCH WATER IS REQUIRED
• Part 3: WATER AND THE ATHLETE
• Part 4: BOTTLED VS. TAP WATER
• Part 5: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOTTLED WATER?
• Part 6: Who is responsible for drinking water quality?
• Part 7: WATER FACTS

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• WALKING ESSENTIALS
• Water Quality

Rob Wilkins

Without a doubt, water may be the world’s most precious commodity. We often don't realize the importance of water on a global and individual basis.

According to the Culligan Water Corporation, "Many experts speculate that the shortage of water could lead to major political conflicts around the world or even war. Twenty-two countries depend on the flow of water from other nations for much of their supply. Often, river basins are shared by nations hostile to each other. American intelligence services have identified 10 potential areas where war could break out over water, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, China, and several locations in the Middle East. The Middle East is particularly worrisome. A recent article in U.S. News & World Report points out, for example, that water shortages in Gaza could fuel unrest among young Arabs, while Egypt is building a canal to divert water from the Nile and its neighbors."

Talk about an important nutrient! Water is essential and without it, we cannot survive. Water deprivation kills faster than lack of any other nutrient. In fact without it, a person will be dead within 5 days.

Water serves as the body's transportation system. Water is the means by which other nutrients and essential elements are distributed throughout the body. Another vital function of water is its ability to remove waste material from the body. Water is a lubricant. The presence of water in and around body tissues helps defend the body against shock. The brain, eyes and spinal cord are among the body's sensitive structures that depend on a protective water layer.

Water regulates body temperature. Our health and well-being are dependent on keeping body temperature within a very narrow range. The human body, which is made of 60-75 percent water, serves this function quite well. Evaporation of water from body surfaces also helps cool the body. Sweat loss that is barely noticeable occurs every day and night. Individuals may lose up to a pint of water each day in this manner. In hot, humid weather or during exercise, increased sweating and losses of water are more visible.

The quality and quantity of the water we drink will directly impact our bodies' life-supporting functions. Proper hydration is extremely important to maintain optimal health.

Next page > HOW MUCH WATER IS REQUIRED > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Rob Wilkins is a Technical Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Wilkins is also a Special Assistant for the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and a recipient (Oct “00) of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at waaszup@yahoo.com.

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