Water controverse

[vek]

I just talk to a physician and I proudly tell her about my 3 liters water intake per day. The doctor shaked her head and said: "Mmmm, that's not good! Not good at all! You should not drink so much water! Yet everybody preaches about water consumption, that is a very stupid ideea. We all have a little gadget in our heads called hypotalamus. Hypotalamus tells us when we need and when we don't need water. So, the rule is: drink only when you are thirsty. Animals always do that and they are ok. Your cats are healthy and full of energy, yet they only drink when they feel thirsty. Take the bottle and drink only if you feel like, do not tell yourself "I must finish this bottle until evening". You risk water intoxication or hyperhydratation and that is one of the worse intoxications. Drinking too much water washes your body off good minerals."

I was completely shocked.
I really don't know what to think anymore. Everywhere I read or hear about how good is to drink water. Yet, this opinion was given to my by a doctor.

[missnikki217]

Wierd.. Maybe its ok because animals aren't trying to rid their bodies of extra toxins because they dont have them. Or fat. Of course, because in the wild, they dont eat processed foods...

I've never heard of hyper-hydration unless you ARE drinking water as a competition. I think its healthy. And a liter every 5 hours shouldn't overload your body so much that it has no idea what to do with it - - I know my body lets me know if I'm drinking too much water because I have to potty!!! LoL

Especially after being dehydrated for so many years.. Another thing is though - every doctor has a different opinion.

[eclectikat]

IT is true you can drink too much water. I have read stories of people actually dying from taking in too much water ( like LARGE volumes of water).drinking too much water can throw your electolytes off and cause problems...

I personally make it a point to take in at least 1.5 liters of water every day and if I have thirst beyond that I drink... after that first 1.5 L I listen to my body.
We are utilizing the water differently as well. If we are actively in ketosis, we need more water to help our bodies remove those by-products from our body.

drink what you need to drink... thats my two cents!

[Kagi]

I heard the same thing from my Doctor. However, water intoxication requires a severe amount of water and your body NOT getting rid of the water. I am not a doctor, but I drink almost a gallon of water a day - and the funny thing is, I enjoy it now. It's amazing how many times I'll take a couple swallows of water, just because the bottle is nearby. I don't force myself to drink a gallon at a time.

So while it can happen, surely - we have to remember that our previous "normal" for drinking water was, for some, none at all! Now that we are not drinking cokes, coffees, etc - I think we'll be ok.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.

[Tom]

according to:
Water: How much should you drink every day? - MayoClinic.com
Water: How much should you drink every day?

Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. These guidelines can help ensure you drink enough fluids.

How much water should you drink each day? A simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.
Though no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.
Health benefits of water


CLICK TO ENLARGE

Functions of water in the body

Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

• Dehydration
• Dehydration and youth sports: Curb the risk

How much water do you need?

Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.

• Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.
• Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.
• Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

Even apart from the above approaches, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.
Factors that influence water needs

You may need to modify your total fluid intake depending on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.

• Exercise. If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for the fluid loss. An extra 400 to 600 milliliters (about 1.5 to 2.5 cups) of water should suffice for short bouts of exercise, but intense exercise lasting more than an hour (for example, running a marathon) requires more fluid intake. How much additional fluid you need depends on how much you sweat during exercise, the duration of your exercise and the type of activity you're engaged in.
  During long bouts of intense exercise, it's best to use a sports drink that contains sodium, as this will help replace sodium lost in sweat and reduce the chances of developing hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening. Also, continue to replace fluids after you're finished exercising.
• Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional intake of fluid. Heated indoor air also can cause your skin to lose moisture during wintertime. Further, altitudes greater than 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) may trigger increased urination and more rapid breathing, which use up more of your fluid reserves.
• Illnesses or health conditions. Signs of illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, cause your body to lose additional fluids. In these cases you should drink more water and may even need oral rehydration solutions, such as Gatorade, Powerade or CeraLyte. Also, you may need increased fluid intake if you develop certain conditions, including bladder infections or urinary tract stones. On the other hand, some conditions such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver and adrenal diseases may impair excretion of water and even require that you limit your fluid intake.
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women who are expecting or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated. Large amounts of fluid are used especially when nursing. The Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women drink 2.3 liters (about 10 cups) of fluids daily and women who breast-feed consume 3.1 liters (about 13 cups) of fluids a day.

Beyond the tap: Other sources of water

Although it's a great idea to keep water within reach at all times, you don't need to rely only on what you drink to satisfy your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake, while the remaining 80 percent comes from water and beverages of all kinds.
For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 percent to 100 percent water by weight. Beverages such as milk and juice also are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is one of your best bets because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.
Staying safely hydrated

It's generally not a good idea to use thirst alone as a guide for when to drink. By the time you become thirsty, it's possible to already be slightly dehydrated. Further, be aware that as you get older your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain signals of thirst. Excessive thirst and increased urination can be signs of a more serious medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you experience either.
To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following:

• Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal.
• Hydrate before, during and after exercise.
• Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings.

If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often.
Though uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. When your kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water, the electrolyte (mineral) content of the blood is diluted, resulting in low sodium levels in the blood, a condition called hyponatremia. Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, who drink large amounts of water are at higher risk of hyponatremia. In general, though, drinking too much water is rare in healthy adults who consume an average American diet.
If you're concerned about your fluid intake, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian. He or she can help you determine the amount of water that's best for you.

[Kagi]

Good info. That's why he's the Admin.

[GottaBme]

Did you tell your doctor that you're doing Atkins? Reason I'm asking is because back when I lost my weight before on Atkins, my doctor praised my weight loss then asked how I was doing it. When I said Atkins, high protein & fat, low carbs, she flipped out. She told me to stop it immediately and switch to a low-fat, mostly veggie diet. She said doing low-carbs was very harmful.

Now, we all know she simply was not current on the medical studies and there are still a lot of doctors out there who have not come up to speed on the research. I wonder if she would have also gone ballistic if I'd mentioned the water I was drinking?.... I think she probably would have.

We all try to educate ourselves as best as we can and make the choices we decide are right. Dr. Atkins spells it all out very clearly in his book, and so that's what I go by.

[choeve]

You have to drink a lot more water than we do to get water intoxication or hyperhydratation and also have to drink it very quickly. My best friends brother had it and it was from being outside in the heat and drinking what he later thought was a couplee of gallons of water in a matter of a couple of hours. When he got home he collapsed and they took him to the hospitol where the Dr. told him the amount of water he drank reduced the amount of potassium in his body which is what caused him to get sick. So maybe half of what she said is true. Too much water too quickly can cause water intoxication or hyperdydration and cause you to lose potassium but not at the level we drink. My suggestion. Fire the Dr. haha

[Tom]

Also you need to take into account that when you are on the atkins diet you need to drink a bit more water because of the diuretic nature of the diet.

I am not a doctor but I think 1 liter more than what is suggested above is probably in order. If you are exercising maybe a bit more.

3 liters should be fine. 4 should be fine.

Where is your doctor getting his/her info from

[Tom]

From wikipedia:
Water intoxication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Water intoxication (also known as hyperhydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water.[1] Normal, healthy (both physically and nutritionally) individuals have little to worry about accidentally consuming too much water. Nearly all deaths related to water intoxication in normal individuals have resulted either from water drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume more than 10 litres (3 gallons) of water over the course of just a few minutes, or long bouts of intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet massive amounts of fluid are still consumed.