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Tuesday, January 06, 2009
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Water: the Ultimate Moisturizer
By Randi Fredricks
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You may be surprised to learn that graying and wrinkled skin are signs of stress and
dehydration. And you thought they were signs of old age!
Maintaining the body's water supply rehydrates the skin and keeps it looking rosy and glowing.
Unfortunately, dehydration happens rapidly and can be easily overlooked as a cause for wrinkles.
Our bodies are made up of 75% water, and if we
fall below this quota, cells will not even reproduce. The body has no storage reservoir
for water. What you drink throughout the day determines exactly how much water your body
has to work with.
The skin is one of the major organs of the body and water is essential to the working of
its cells. If the body's overall water supply falls short, the skin may have to wait
until other organs receive their ration first. The brain, which is 85% water, governs
water rationing to every cell in the body. Although each organ monitors its own water
supply, the brain sets the quota as to how much each organ gets.
The surface of the skin is hydrated from the tissue beneath it. The outer layer of
the skin is constantly losing water due to environmental factors such as sun, wind,
hard water, toxins, and chemicals. When the body becomes dehydrated, circulation to
the outer skin may be shut down as an emergency measure by the body's drought
management system so that water is not lost throw evaporation from the skin's surface.
If water is deprived from the skin, it loses its structure and goes from plump to
prune-like. Chronic dehydration signs are wrinkles, lines and deep furrows on the
face.
Proper water intake on a regular basis prevents and can event reverse dehydration.
When the skin is fully hydrated, circulation of the skin increase and results in a
rosy, soft complexion.
It's easy to miss the signs of dehydration because the signs are subtle. Dehydration
occurs long before the signs of dry mouth or thirst occur. Beverages like coffee,
soft drinks, and alcohol, actually cause dehydration. Sugar also causes dehydration
because the body releases insulin in response.
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Some actually theorize that you can lessen wrinkles with the correct proportion of
water and salt. |
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The long list of symptoms and diseases caused by dehydration include multiple
sclerosis, colitis, angina, morning sickness, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and
cancer. Chronic pain and allergies have also been linked to dehydration.
According to Scott Plank, a Physical Therapist in practice in San Jose, CA, dehydration can also lead to muscle injury.
"When the muscle is dehydrated, the structure is compromised," said Plank, "Injuries are more likely to occur.
Recovery will also be more difficult," said Plank.
Some actually theorize that you can lessen wrinkles with the correct proportion of
water and salt. This occurs because salt causes the body to retain water, thus the
appropriate amount of salt will cause the perfect amount of water retention in the
skin, providing the amount of water needed is present in the body.
Water is the main source of energy for every cell in the body, generating electrical
and magnetic energy through its breakdown, also known as hydrolysis. Water guides
microscopic particulates to cells, activates all the nerve endings in the skin, and
acts as an antioxidant by flushing out free-radicals through the kidneys.
Experts claim that we need eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day, more if
you drink soda, coffee, alcohol, eat meat, exercise, or sauna.
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