Dietitian in a Medicare sponsored weight-loss program. Yesterday she gave him this article about drinking 8 glasses of water a day. We've all heard this mantra, but here's the reasons why, which I never knew before.http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/LowcarbingDream/water.html
NFR: How 8 Glasses of Water a Day Keep Fat Away. DH is meeting regularly with a Registered
- Thread starter marianne
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I had a doctor once that said to me, when I told him I tried to drink
at least 8 glasses of water every day, "My God, woman, why are you drinking that much water?!" He said to drink when you are thirsty... that's what thirst is for.
Now I know that once you are thirsty, you are already probably somewhat dehydrated, but he was a noted endocrinologist and a specialist in the area of "idiopathic edema" (which is a fancy way of saying that they didn't know why I was retaining water) at a local hospital.
Hmm, thanks for the information.
at least 8 glasses of water every day, "My God, woman, why are you drinking that much water?!" He said to drink when you are thirsty... that's what thirst is for.
Now I know that once you are thirsty, you are already probably somewhat dehydrated, but he was a noted endocrinologist and a specialist in the area of "idiopathic edema" (which is a fancy way of saying that they didn't know why I was retaining water) at a local hospital.
Hmm, thanks for the information.
In many situations I have more faith in dieticians and pharmacists than in doctors. The poor docs
are expected to know everything and get little training in some areas (nutrition for example).
My body responds VERY well to drinking water. I tried it for 1 year, a couple of years ago and within 6 months, 18 pounds had quietly slipped away, while I had changed no other habits. The other trick that is very effective for me is eating 3 meals a day, not skipping.
are expected to know everything and get little training in some areas (nutrition for example).
My body responds VERY well to drinking water. I tried it for 1 year, a couple of years ago and within 6 months, 18 pounds had quietly slipped away, while I had changed no other habits. The other trick that is very effective for me is eating 3 meals a day, not skipping.
Yes, the Dietician stressed "no skipping". I'm trying to follow it too, although I am only 10 lbs.
overweight, and am not Type 2 Diabetic, like DH, but per her instructions, we start off the day with a banana and 1 oz. piece of string cheese. He needs to add snacks to keep his blood sugar balanced, and is learning portion control and which foods are good and bad for him. This program is offered through DH's doctor, and is covered by Medicare to help those with a BMI of 30 or greater to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce weight and maintain normal blood sugar. He participates in the program for 12 months. There's a web site, www.lifechg.com. It has to be offered through a doctor, and DH's Dr. is very into preventive medicine. He has enrolled quite a few of his patients in it, along with DH.
overweight, and am not Type 2 Diabetic, like DH, but per her instructions, we start off the day with a banana and 1 oz. piece of string cheese. He needs to add snacks to keep his blood sugar balanced, and is learning portion control and which foods are good and bad for him. This program is offered through DH's doctor, and is covered by Medicare to help those with a BMI of 30 or greater to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce weight and maintain normal blood sugar. He participates in the program for 12 months. There's a web site, www.lifechg.com. It has to be offered through a doctor, and DH's Dr. is very into preventive medicine. He has enrolled quite a few of his patients in it, along with DH.
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
Let me tell you a little story about the benefits of drinking water, and some advice...
...to keep you from giving up in frustration.
First of all, I am not qualified to give this advice, but, silly me, I think practical experience and 3 years of working with the personal trainers I employed, including a champion bodybuilder who was also a licensed Physical Therapist, plus 7 years working with nurses and doctors in hospitals gives me all the credentials I need.
Water is best taken on an empty stomach. Why? If you have a substantial quantity of food in your stomach and dump a bunch of water on top of it, you will dilute the digestive juices and foul up proper digestion. Plus, you will feel bloated and uncomfortable.
When water is taken on an empty stomach, it leaves your stomach in 10 minutes or less -which brings me to my next piece of unqualified advice.
One of the greatest (and most economical) health tonics a person can take is to drink 3 large glasses of plain water when they arise first thing in the morning. Brush your teeth and down 3 glasses of plain water (no lemon, coffee, diet drinks, etc. Just water!) and do it fairly quickly. Don't gag yourself, but jug-a-lug.
Why is this so good for you? Here's why:
1. If you are dehydrated, you will take an important step to re-hydrate.
2. You haven't eaten for at least 8 hours (right?), so your stomach is empty. The water will leave your stomach in a few minutes and begin to course through your small intestine, moving whatever is in there along quite nicely. This is a good thing.
Then, it will continue to your large intestine, which is where 90% of water is absorbed into your blood stream. That is also where excrement is waiting to EXIT your body. Water moves that process along in a BIG way. (More about THAT later.)
As the water is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is filtered out by your kidneys. This flushes your kidneys and your entire unrinary tract of impurities that might be hanging out there. This is a VERY good thing.
So, 3 large glasses of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning accomplishes a TON of GOOD. Your body will love you!
Story: when I was a personal trainer, I had a client who was a professional in a white collar position. He was a good athlete and we got along great. After about six weeks of training, he came in for our regular session looking glum. I inquired as to the reason, and he said he just got a call from his wife. She had just returned from a doctors appointment, and she was upset. He said that ever since she had given birth to their youngest child (who was 3 now), she had been struggling mightily with severe constipation. Doctors had tried everything, from dietary changes to stool softening meds -all to no good end. She was getting worse, and the pain was awful. The doctor she had just visited wanted to send her to a specialist.
He asked me my advice, since the diet I had written for him was working so well. He assumed I would suggest some kind of dietary change for her. I told him about all the good things that happen when you take 3 glasses of water first thing in the morning. I suggested he tell his wife about it, and have her try it the next morning. He said she had been trying to get more fluids into her diet, but it hadn't worked. I assured him that based on my experience, if she took the water the way I described, jug-a-lug, she would probably have a BM within 1/2 hour.
Our next session was two days later. He came in and rushed over to me, excited to tell me what had happened. His wife was skeptical, but the next morning she did exactly as I suggested. Within 20 minutes of finishing the last glass of water, she had the success she was looking for. He said (and I'll never forget this), "My wife thinks you are a god!"
"Minor deity at best", I assured him.
Michael
...to keep you from giving up in frustration.
First of all, I am not qualified to give this advice, but, silly me, I think practical experience and 3 years of working with the personal trainers I employed, including a champion bodybuilder who was also a licensed Physical Therapist, plus 7 years working with nurses and doctors in hospitals gives me all the credentials I need.
Water is best taken on an empty stomach. Why? If you have a substantial quantity of food in your stomach and dump a bunch of water on top of it, you will dilute the digestive juices and foul up proper digestion. Plus, you will feel bloated and uncomfortable.
When water is taken on an empty stomach, it leaves your stomach in 10 minutes or less -which brings me to my next piece of unqualified advice.
One of the greatest (and most economical) health tonics a person can take is to drink 3 large glasses of plain water when they arise first thing in the morning. Brush your teeth and down 3 glasses of plain water (no lemon, coffee, diet drinks, etc. Just water!) and do it fairly quickly. Don't gag yourself, but jug-a-lug.
Why is this so good for you? Here's why:
1. If you are dehydrated, you will take an important step to re-hydrate.
2. You haven't eaten for at least 8 hours (right?), so your stomach is empty. The water will leave your stomach in a few minutes and begin to course through your small intestine, moving whatever is in there along quite nicely. This is a good thing.
Then, it will continue to your large intestine, which is where 90% of water is absorbed into your blood stream. That is also where excrement is waiting to EXIT your body. Water moves that process along in a BIG way. (More about THAT later.)
As the water is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is filtered out by your kidneys. This flushes your kidneys and your entire unrinary tract of impurities that might be hanging out there. This is a VERY good thing.
So, 3 large glasses of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning accomplishes a TON of GOOD. Your body will love you!
Story: when I was a personal trainer, I had a client who was a professional in a white collar position. He was a good athlete and we got along great. After about six weeks of training, he came in for our regular session looking glum. I inquired as to the reason, and he said he just got a call from his wife. She had just returned from a doctors appointment, and she was upset. He said that ever since she had given birth to their youngest child (who was 3 now), she had been struggling mightily with severe constipation. Doctors had tried everything, from dietary changes to stool softening meds -all to no good end. She was getting worse, and the pain was awful. The doctor she had just visited wanted to send her to a specialist.
He asked me my advice, since the diet I had written for him was working so well. He assumed I would suggest some kind of dietary change for her. I told him about all the good things that happen when you take 3 glasses of water first thing in the morning. I suggested he tell his wife about it, and have her try it the next morning. He said she had been trying to get more fluids into her diet, but it hadn't worked. I assured him that based on my experience, if she took the water the way I described, jug-a-lug, she would probably have a BM within 1/2 hour.
Our next session was two days later. He came in and rushed over to me, excited to tell me what had happened. His wife was skeptical, but the next morning she did exactly as I suggested. Within 20 minutes of finishing the last glass of water, she had the success she was looking for. He said (and I'll never forget this), "My wife thinks you are a god!"
"Minor deity at best", I assured him.
Michael
heather_in_sf
Well-known member
I'm jug a lug-ing away, will report back, it should help healing from this infection too.
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
Yeah, it was a "special" moment, no doubt. But, as a former nurse's aid, it didn't faze me.