#to loss of the ability to feel pain. it ALSO causes cartilage absorption which leads to shortening of the fingers toes and nose

[ghaw2007]

7 Collagen Benefits

7 Collagen Benefits

1. Improves Health of Skin and Hair

As we age, collagen production declines — it’s happening as you read this! You’ll notice it physically: looser skin, more wrinkles and less elasticity. Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies investigating the anti-aging properties of collagen have found that 2.5–5 grams of collagen hydrolysate used among women aged 35–55 once daily for eight weeks significantly improved skin elasticity, skin moisture, transepidermal water loss (dryness) and skin roughness, all with little to no side effects. (1) This makes collagen one of the best natural skin care ingredients available.

Collagen also reduces cellulite and stretch marks. When skin loses its elasticity as a result of decreased collagen, there’s another side effect: more visible cellulite. Because your skin is now thinner, cellulite becomes more evident — no more hiding what’s happening below the surface. Improving your skin’s elasticity through collagen helps reduce that dimpling on your skin.

2. Reduces Joint Pains and Degeneration

Have you ever felt like you’ve got “skeleton legs,” the types that feel extra stiff and cause pain when you move? Yup, that’s likely a loss of collagen rearing its ugly head. That’s because when we lose collagen, our tendons and ligaments start moving with less ease, leading to stiffness, swollen joints and more.

With its gel-like, smooth structure that covers and holds our bones together, collagen allows us to glide and move without pain. Think of ingesting more collagen like greasing a creaky door hinge: It helps your joints move more easily, reduces pain often associated with aging and even reduces the risk of joint deterioration. (2, 3). It’s no surprise then that a recent study even found that collagen is an effective treatment for treating osteoarthritis and other joint pain and disorders. (4)

Researchers at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found that supplementing with type 2 collagen helped patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis find relief from painful symptoms by decreasing swelling in tender joints. (5) Another study published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found that people with osteoarthritis joint pain treated with type 2 collagen show significant enhancements in daily activities, such as walking up stairs, ascending or sleeping, and a general improvement in their quality of life. (6)

3. Helps Heal Leaky Gut

If you suffer from leaky gut syndrome, a condition where bad-for-you toxins are able to pass through your digestive tract, collagen can be super-helpful. It helps break down proteins and soothes your gut’s lining, healing damaged cell walls and infusing it with healing amino acids.

The biggest digestive benefit of consuming more collagen is that it helps form connective tissue and therefore “seals and heals” the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Today, we know that many illnesses can actually be traced back to inflammation or irritation stemming from an unhealthy gut. Poor gut health — including changes in the gut microbiome and permeability in the gut lining — allows particles to pass into the bloodstream where they can kick off an inflammatory cascade (hence the name leaky gut syndrome).

Studies have found that in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, serum concentrations of collagen are decreased. (7) Because the amino acids in collagen build the tissue that lines the colon and GI tract, supplementing with collagen can help treat gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, including leaky gut syndrome, IBS, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition to helping heal leaky gut, collagen also helps with the absorption of water within the intestines, keeping things moving more freely out of body.

4. Boosts Metabolism, Muscle Mass and Energy Output

A boost in collagen may help increase your metabolism by adding lean muscle mass to your frame and helping with the conversion of essential nutrients. One of glycine’s most important roles is helping form muscle tissue by converting glucose into energy that feeds muscle cells. And remember that retaining muscle mass is crucial as you age, since it helps support posture, bone health and burns more calories than fat. When consuming collagen, you can benefit from also consuming vitamin C to ensure your body can convert the collagen into a useable protein. This can begin to restore the source or your energy and vitality.

That’s not all that glycine can do for your metabolism. Research shows glycine also has important roles in both functions of the digestive and central nervous systems, which play big roles in maintaining a healthy, youthful body. (8) Glycine seems to help slow the effects of aging by improving the body’s use of antioxidants and is also used in the process of constructing healthy cells from DNA and RNA.

In addition, it’s been found that arginine boosts the body’s ability to make protein from other amino acids, which is important for repairing muscle tissue, healing wounds, sparing tissue wasting, boosting the metabolism, and aiding in proper growth and development. And glutamine also helps maintain adequate energy by facilitating the synthesizing of many chemicals. (9) This amino acid provides “fuel” to our cells, including carbon and nitrogen.

5. Strengthens Nails, Hair and Teeth

Ever had peeling and splitting nails? Well, a lack of collagen could be to blame. Collagen protein is the building block of your fingernails, hair and teeth. Adding collagen into your diet regimen can help keep your nails strong and possibly reverse signs of hair loss.

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that there’s an “essential relationships between extracellular matrix (ECM) and hair follicle regeneration, suggesting that collagen could be a potential therapeutic target for hair loss and other skin-related diseases.” (10)

6. Improves Liver Health 

If you’re looking to detox your body of harmful substances, improve blood flow and keep your heart young, collagen is extremely helpful. That’s because glycine helps minimize damage your liver experiences when it absorbs foreign substances, toxins or alcohol that shouldn’t be passing through it.

One of the easiest ways to cleanse your liver is with a bone broth fast. I often recommend a three-day bone broth detox to rapidly repair leaky gut. This may help your body rid itself of chemicals and “reset” your gut, improving overall immune function. Studies have even found that glycine can be used to help reduce alcohol-induced liver damage and other forms of acute or chronic liver injury. (11)

7. Protects Cardiovascular Health

The amino acid proline helps your artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, shrinking the fat in the arteries and minimizing fat accumulation. Proline is needed for tissue repair within the joints and arteries, plus it helps control blood pressure. As part of collagen found within joints, it buffers our bodies from the effects of vibration or shock and helps us hold on to valuable cartilage as we get older. (12)  It is also linked with the prevention of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) since it helps our arteries stay clear of dangerous plaque buildup.

In addition, arginine helps with nitric oxide production, which allows for better vasodilation — meaning the widening of arteries and relaxation of muscle cells and blood vessels that allows for better circulation.

http://musicbanter.com/song-writing-lyrics-poetry/79770-ghaw2007s-lyrics-collection.html http://futureproducers.com/forums/production-techniques/songwriting-and-lyricism/ghaw2007s-lyrics-523656 http://musesongwriters.com/forums/index.php?/topic/65827-ghaw2007s-lyrics http://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/55799-ghaw2007s-lyrics http://justusboys.com/forum/threads/435561-ghaw2007-s-Lyrics http://gayheaven.org/showthread.php?t=536605 http://allthelyrics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159439 http://writerscafe.org/ghaw/writing http://songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11560.0

[lindafrancois]

7 Reasons Why Moong Dal Sprouts Are Good For Your Health

Moong dal sprouts are called wonder food due to its rich nutrient and variety of benefits both in its raw or cooked form. 

Sprouts are a super healthy addition to our daily meals and Moong Dal Sprouts definitely fit the bill quite effectively. It is low in calories, have fiber and Vitamin B, and deliver a boost of vitamins C and K; reasons enough to qualify it as super healthy for our diet. Each cup contains only about 31 calories which also aids in weight loss. These super healthy moong dal sprouts are quite affordable and easily available in the market.

What Makes Sprouting Healthy?

Sprouting tends to enhance the nutritional value of the grains, legumes or beans. Sprouting increases the nutritive value of the ingredients and provides better digestion. The young sprouts have 10 to 100 times glucoraphanin which is an enzyme that protects the body from cancer causing agents. Further, sprouting provides antioxidants and helps in detoxifying our body by boosting the oxygen levels. Also, sprouting increases the level of minerals and vitamins including vitamin D.

Benefits of Moong Bean Sprouts

1. Good Source of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for the process of blood clotting. It also regulates bone mineralization and helps maintain bone density. Moong daal sprouts are loaded with Vitamin K, with 1 cup of raw sprouts containing 34 micrograms. Moong daal sprouts are great source of meeting the daily requirements of Vitamin K for a healthy body.

2. Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Moong daal sprouts have a high content of Vitamin C which helps to build our immune system by fighting infections and diseases. One cup of raw moong daal sprouts contain 14 milligrams of vitamin C. Health expert recommend that men should consume 90 milligrams of Vitamin C daily, while women should get 75 milligrams. The antioxidant abilities of Vitamin C, protect cells from free radicals.If free radicals are not neutralized by an antioxidant, they attach to healthy cells, causing damage and inflammation that leads to chronic diseases. Vitamin C is also a component of the connective tissue collagen, which supports and strengthens skin, cartilage and organs.

3. Rich Source of Protein

Globulin and Albumin are the main storage proteins and make up over 85 percent of the total amino acids found in Moong Dal Sprouts. Protein is important to build and repair tissues. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

4. Boosts Blood Circulation

Moong daal sprouts help in boosting blood circulation by maintaining red blood cell count with significant amounts of iron and copper. This further helps in supplying oxygen to various organs and cells to optimize their performance.

5. Helps in Digestion

Moong daal sprouts contain high content of living enzymes. These enzymes further help in boosting our metabolic processes and improve chemical reactions within the body, specifically when it comes to digestion. Enzymes help break down the food effectively and enhance the absorption of nutrients by the digestive tract. Sprouts also have a lot of dietary fiber which regulates digestion.

6. Helps in Weight Loss

Moong daal sprouts are one the best foods to help lose weight. They are high in nutrients but have negligible calories which means that you can consume sprouts without worrying about the weighing scale. Furthermore, sprouts contain a high amount of fiber that makes you feel full for a longer period of time. It also inhibits the release of ghrelin, a hunger hormone that indicates our brain to eat more.

7. High Source of Vitamins and Minerals, Like Folate and Magnesium

Moong daal sprouts provide a whopping 100 percent of our daily value of folate in every one cup serving.  Folate (also known as vitamin B9) is an important vitamin for DNA synthesis, cell and tissue growth, hormonal balance, cognitive function, and even reproduction. In fact, consuming enough folate is especially important during pregnancy because it is essential for preventing early births, neural tube defects and even termination. Moong daal sprouts also provide about 36 percent of daily magnesium needs for the average adult woman. Many adults are actually deficient in magnesium, which is unfortunate because most people really need a substantial amount in their diet in order to control stress levels and manage pain. Magnesium is important for digestive health, proper heart beat functioning, neurotransmitter release and for repairing muscle tissue in people who are very active.

So go ahead make moong dal sprouts a part of your meals and snacks, however you prefer them! Eat healthy, live healthy because you are what you eat! Also, talk to our expert Truweight Nutritionist today for more on health, nutrition and fitness. The first consultation is on us! Click here to avail!

  Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgExkxKWOeM

  The post 7 Reasons Why Moong Dal Sprouts Are Good For Your Health appeared first on Blog.

7 Reasons Why Moong Dal Sprouts Are Good For Your Health published first on https://dietariouspage.tumblr.com/

[liveyourlifehealthier]

10 Warning Signs That Your Body May Lacking Water This may be annoying at times, but it should never go ignored. Two-thirds of your body weight is made up of water, and more than a few days a person cannot survive without water. Every cell, organ, and tissue in the body depend on water. It maintains body temperature, lubricate the joints and eyes, aids digestion, helps your body remove waste products and toxins, and keep your skin healthy. Many people are unaware how much water they lose every day and end up chronically dehydrated. Athletes, diabetics, and burn victims are at a higher risk of dehydration than the average person. So, understanding the signs of dehydration will help you know when you need to boost your water intake. Here is a list of warning signs that indicate your body is lacking water. Headaches Some of the possible signs that your body may lack water are headaches. A drop in your body’s hydration level leads to decreased amount of fluid surrounding your brain, which ensures that your brain is not damaged every time you move. If the fluid in this sack is reduced, your brain can begin to push against your skull. This triggers migraines as well as headaches.Furthermore, dehydration reduces the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain. Brain fog and poor concentration The human brain is made up of approximately 90 percent water, so it definitely shows signs when dehydrated. Lack of water in the brain can produce changes in mood and cognitive functions. Mild dehydration can reduce short-term memory, perceptual discrimination, visuomotor tracking, arithmetic ability, and psychomotor skill in people of all ages Also, it can cause mood swings between confusion, exhaustion, anger and high energy. Heart palpitations Dehydration has a direct impact on heart rate and performance. When the normal water content of your body is reduced, it causes a decrease in plasma volume making the blood more viscous. This affects blood circulation and increases your heart rate. Furthermore, dehydration upsets the balance of minerals in your body, which leads to reduced blood pressure. Usually, palpitations occur when there is low potassium and low sugar levels in the blood. Bad breath Bad breath is another sign that your body lacks water. When you become dehydrated, your body produces less saliva, which contains antibacterial properties. This allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath. Saliva protects your teeth from decay and cavities, by forming a protective barrier around them and helping clear food particles on and between your teeth. Constipation and other digestive issues Water helps your body break down food so that your body can better absorb nutrients. Especially, water helps the absorption of water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B vitamins. Furthermore, water helps lubricate the digestive system and keeps the digestive tract flexible and clean. This helps you keep your bowel movements regular and prevent constipation. Lack of water in the body can even cause heartburn and indigestion. Food cravings The following time you have sudden hunger or food cravings drink a glass of water before grabbing a snack. Your body sends false signals to your brain that you are hungry when dehydrated, but actually, you are thirsty. When you are dehydrated, it can be difficult for some nutrients and organs like the liver, which use water to release glycogen and other components of your energy reserves, so you can actually get food carvings. The most common are cravings for something sweet because your body may be experiencing difficulty with glycogen production. Joint and muscle pain The cartilage in your joints is made up of roughly 65 to 80 percent water. When your body lacks water, your bones start grinding against each other causing pain in the joints. Also, low magnesium levels from dehydration can cause muscle cramps and pain in the leg muscles. Fatigue and lethargy Fluid loss causes your blood volume to drop and your blood pressure to rise. Your heart has to expand more energy to feed your brain, skin, and muscles with oxygen and nutrients. This can leave your feeling fatigued and lethargic. One of the easiest ways to stay alert and energized is staying hydrated, so keep your water bottle near you Dry skin and lips Another sign that your body lacks water is dry skin that lacks elasticity. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it requires a good amount of water to remain in good condition. A low water level causes less sweating, which means the body is not able to wash away excess dirt and oil accumulated on the skin throughout the day. Furthermore, dehydration increases the risk of acne, eczema and psoriasis as water help flush toxins from the body. Another obvious sign of dehydration is dry and chapped lips. Dark urine The kidneys work to maintain fluid balance within your body. When you drink enough water, your urine should be light to clear yellow. This means that your kidneys have enough water to expel toxins from your body. When your urine is dark, it means that your kidney redirected water back into your body to maintain blood pressure and mineral balance. Dark urine has a large concentration of toxins and should be taken as an urgent sign to drink more water. Chronic dehydration can leave your kidneys overloaded with toxins, causing kidney stones. Source: healthtipsportal.com mayoclinic.org webmd.com ☆ Hit Share! ☆ For more HEALTHY recipes, dieting tips, weight management support and healthy living ideas join my awesome group here >>https://www.facebook.com/groups/gethealthywithcynthia

[audrainorthopaedics-blog]

Arthritis of the Hand

The hand and wrist have a number of small joints that work together to create motion, including the fine motion needed to thread a needle or tie a shoelace. Whenever the joints are impacted by arthritis, activities of daily living may be tough. Arthritis may occur in many areas of the hand and wrist and can have much more than one cause.

With time, if the arthritis is not handled, the bones that comprise the joint can lose their normal shape. This causes even more pain and further limits motion. These are all big reasons why you should recognize what you are up against if you are facing arthritis in Mexico, Missouri.

Description

Simply defined, arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. One of the most common kinds of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 various types.

Healthy joints move effortlessly because of a sleek, slippery tissue called articular cartilage. Cartilage covers the ends of bones and provides a sleek gliding surface for the joint. This smooth surface is lubricated by a fluid that looks and feels like oil. It is produced by the joint lining called synovium.

Disease

Whenever arthritis occurs because of disease, the beginning of symptoms is progressive and the cartilage decreases slowly. The two most common types of arthritis from disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is much more common and typically affects much older people. Also referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis causes cartilage to wear away. It appears in a predictable pattern in particular joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which can impact numerous parts of your body. It causes the joint lining (synovium) to swell, which causes pain and stiffness in the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis most frequently begins in the little joints of the hands and feet. It usually affects the same joints on each sides of the body.

Trauma

Fractures, especially those which damage the joint surface, and dislocations are amongst the most common injuries that lead to arthritis. Even whenever properly treated, an injured joint is more likely to become arthritic over time.

Symptoms

Pain

Early symptoms of arthritis of the hand include joint pain which may feel "dull," or a "burning" sensation. The pain often occurs after periods of increased joint use, like heavy gripping or grasping. The pain might not be present right away, but may show up hours later or even the following day. Morning pain and stiffness are common.

As the cartilage wears away and there is less material to provide shock absorption, the symptoms occur more often. In advanced disease, the joint pain may wake you up during the night.

Pain might be made worse with usage and relieved by rest. Lots of people in Central Missouri with arthritis complain of increased joint pain with rainy weather. Activities which once were very easy, such as opening a jar or starting the car, become difficult because of pain. To prevent pain at the arthritic joint, you may change the way you utilize your hand.

Swelling

Whenever the affected joint is subject to greater stress than it can bear, it may swell in an attempt to prevent further joint usage.

Changes within Surrounding Joints

In patients with advanced thumb base arthritis, the surrounding joints might become more mobile than normal.

Warmth

The arthritic joint might feel warm to touch. This is due to the body's inflammatory response.

Crepitation and Looseness

There might be a sensation of grating or grinding in the affected joint (crepitation). This is brought on by damaged cartilage surfaces rubbing against each other. If arthritis is due to damaged ligaments, the support structures of the joint might be unstable or "loose." In advanced cases, the joint may appear larger than normal (hypertrophic). This is typically because of a combination of bone changes, loss of cartilage, and joint swelling.

Cysts

When arthritis impacts the end joints of the fingers (DIP joints), little cysts (mucous cysts) may develop. The cysts might then create ridging or dents in the nail plate of the affected finger.

Doctor Examination

A physician may diagnose arthritis of the hand by analyzing the hand and by taking x-rays. Specialized studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are normally not required except in cases where Keinbock's disease (a condition where the blood supply to one of the little bones in the wrist, the lunate, is interrupted) is suspected. Often a bone scan is useful. A bone scan may help the physician identify arthritis when it is in an early stage, even if x-rays appear normal.

Treatment

Arthritis does not need to result in a painful or sedentary life. It is essential to seek help early so treatment can begin and you can return to doing what matters most to you.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment options for arthritis of the hand and wrist consist of medication, splinting, injections, and surgery, and are determined based on:

How far the arthritis has advanced

How many joints are entailed

Your age, activity level and other medical conditions

If the dominant or non-dominant hand is affected

Your individual goals, home support structure, and ability to understand the treatment and observe a therapy program

Medications

Medicines treat symptoms but can not restore joint cartilage or undo joint damage. The most common medicines for arthritis are anti-inflammatories, which stop the body from producing chemicals which cause joint swelling and pain. Examples of anti-inflammatory drugs include medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are extensively advertised dietary supplements or "neutraceuticals." Neutraceuticals are not medicines. Instead, they are compounds that are the "building blocks" of cartilage. They were originally used by veterinarians to treat arthritic hips in dogs. However, neutraceuticals have not yet been studied as a treatment of hand and wrist arthritis. (Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not test dietary supplements. These compounds might cause negative interactions with other medications. Always seek advice from your physician before taking dietary supplements.)

Injections

When first-line treatment with anti-inflammatory medication is not proper, injections may be used. These generally contain a lasting anesthetic and a steroid that can provide pain relief for weeks to months. The injections may be repeated, but only a minimal number of times, due to possible side effects, such as lightening of the skin, weakening of the tendons and ligaments and infection.

Splinting

Injections are usually combined with splinting of the impacted joint. The splint helps support the impacted joint to ease the stress put on it from frequent use and activities. Splints are usually worn during periods when the joints hurt. They should be small enough to allow functional usage of the hand when they are worn. Wearing the splint for too long can result in muscle deterioration (atrophy). Muscles can help in stabilizing injured joints, so atrophy should be prevented.

Surgical Treatment

If nonsurgical treatment fails to give comfort, surgery is usually discussed. There are many surgical choices. The chosen course of surgical treatment should be one that has a practical chance of giving long-term pain relief and return to function. It ought to be tailored to your individual needs.

If there is any way the joint may be preserved or reconstructed, this option is usually chosen. When the damage has progressed to a point that the surfaces will no longer work, a joint replacement or a fusion (arthrodesis) is performed.

Joint fusions offer pain relief but stop joint motion. The fused joint no longer moves; the damaged joint surfaces are gone, so they can not cause pain and other symptoms. The goal of joint replacement is to provide pain relief and bring back functionality. As with hip and knee replacements, there have been considerable improvements in joint replacements in the hand and wrist. The replacement joints are made of materials similar to those utilized in weightbearing joints, such as ceramics or long-wearing metal and plastic parts. The goal is to improve the function and long life of the replaced joint.

Most of the major joints of hand and wrist may be replaced. A surgeon frequently needs additional training to perform the surgery. As with any evolving technology, the long-term results of the hand or wrist joint replacements are not yet understood. Early results have been encouraging. Talk with your physician to learn if these implants are right for you.

After Surgery

After any type of joint reconstruction surgery, there is a period of recovery. Often, you will be confered to a trained hand therapist, who can help you maximize your recovery. You might have to utilize a postoperative splint or cast for some time after surgery. This helps protect the hand while it heals.

During this postoperative period, you might have to modify activities to permit the joint reconstruction to heal correctly. Usually, pain medication you take by mouth is also utilized to decrease discomfort. It is very important to discuss your pain with your physician so it can be adequately treated.

Length of recovery time varies widely and depends upon the extent of the surgery performed and multiple individual factors. However, people usually can return to most if not all of their desired activities in about three months following most major joint reconstructions.

New Developments

More and more, physicians are emphasizing how to preserve the damaged joint. This includes getting an earlier diagnosis and repairing joint components before the whole surface becomes damaged.

Arthroscopy of the little joints of the hand and wrist is now feasible because the equipment has been made much smaller.

There have been encouraging results in cartilage repair and replacement in the bigger joints such as the knee, and some of these techniques have been applied to the smaller joints of the hand and arm.

In addition, stem cell research may be an option to regenerate damaged joint surfaces.

As you can see, arthritis in the hand, wrist, or any other portion of the body is not something to mess around with. If you start to feel its effects, please consider speaking with a specialist like Dr. Kathleen Weaver of Audrain Orthopaedics in Mexico, MO.

[positivelifestylerewards-blog]

10 Warning Signs That Your Body Is Lacking Water – You Have to Drink More Immediately Everyday!

I found this artlicle to be extremely interesting and informative so I wanted to share with you.

I'm one of those people who is interested and concearned about my own/families health and nutrition, although I always seem to struggle drinking enough water. Every year, my new years resolution is to do just that - although up until the start of this year I never stuck to it! 

I have found a new and refreshing way of jazzing up boring plain water.....I slice up (afer washing) 1 Lemon, 3/4 Cucumber + half my index finger size of fresh Ginger (peeled and sliced) The ginger is known to help BURN FAT in the - add them to a large glass jug with 1 ltr mineral water, then leave over night. I replenish the water every days and replace the above ingredients every 2 days. I also take this to the gym (with 1 slice of lemon & cucumber) and have some next to me in the car for when i am travelling. I’m now loving water and drinking approx. 2 ltrs per day :)

Thirst may be annoying at times, but water dehydration should never go ignored. Water actually makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body. Most people are not aware how bad water dehydration can affect you.  Water is an essential part of the body.  It lubricates the joints and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins, and keeps the skin healthy (1).

That’s why you should always make sure to drink water throughout the day and before and after meals. Many people don’t realize how much water they lose everyday and end up chronically dehydrated (2). Diabetics, burn victims and athletes are at a higher risk of dehydration than the average person.  Are you suffering from water dehydration?  Here’s a list of 10 warning signs of water dehydration that you should pay attention to (3):

1. Heart Palpitations

When the normal water content of your body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugar) in your body, which affects the way it functions (1).

Heart palpitations typically occur when there is low potassium and low sugar levels in the blood (4). This can cause from premature contractions of the heart’s upper chambers (atria) or the lower chambers (ventricules) .

Low magnesium (through excessive sweating or diarrhea) may also lead to abnormal heart rhythm (4).

2. Bad Breath

Saliva protects your teeth from decay, disease and cavities by forming a protective barrier around them and helping clear food particles on and between your teeth (5).

When you become dehydrated, you do not produce as much saliva. The reduced cleaning action of the saliva allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath (6).

Dry mouth also makes you more likely to develop rapid tooth decay and gum (periodontal) disease (5).

3. Food Cravings

“When you’re dehydrated, it can be difficult for some nutrients and organs like the liver which use water to release some glycogens and other components of your energy stores, so you can actually get cravings for food,” says John Higgins, MD, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Texas in Houston, and chief of cardiology at Lyndon B. Johnson (7).

“While you can crave anything from chocolate to a salty snack, cravings for sweets are more common because your body may be experiencing difficulty with glycogen production,” he says.

Instead of junk food, reach for water-dense foods, try fruits like watermelon, kiwi and peaches. You may also find that vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes also satisfy your craving.  Fruits and vegetables can help prevent water dehydration and also if you don’t like drinking water that much.

4. Painful Joints and Muscles

The cartilage in your joints is made up of roughly 65 to 80% water. When the joints aren’t properly hydrated, it can cause the bones they connect to grind. This causes pain and inflammation (8).

Low magnesium from dehydration can also cause muscles cramps and pain in the leg muscles (4). Eat dark leafy greens and avocado to replenish both your water and mineral levels.

5. Headaches

The brain sits inside a fluid sack that keeps it from bumping against the skull. This ensures that your brain isn’t damaged every time you walk or run.

If the fluid in this sack is reduced, your brain can begin to push against your skull. This is one of the most common causes of headaches (7).

Water dehydration also decreases blood supply to the brain, meaning less oxygen and glucose, which can also trigger a headache (9).  Before you decide to take advil to relieve a headache, try drinking some water beforehand.

6. Constipation and Poor Digestion

Water helps the body break down food so that your body can better absorb nutrients. In particular, it boosts the absorption of water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C (10).

The large intestine soaks up water from your food waste to be processed by your kidneys.

Normally, your intestines only soaks up enough water to make your stool the right consistency. However, when you’re dehydrated, it will soak up more water to prevent fluid loss. This leaves your stool hard, making it difficult to push through your digestive tract (11).

7. Fatigue and Lethargy

Fluid loss causes your blood volume to drop and your blood pressure to rise. Your heart has to expand more energy to feed your brain, skin, and muscles with oxygen and nutrients (12). This can leave your feeling tired and sleepy.

In one study, women who weren’t sufficiently hydrated after exercise scored lower on questionnaires assessing mood.

They also found it harder to work and experienced more fatigue and confusion than when they were properly hydrated. Men had similar results (13).

8. Dark Urine

The kidneys work to maintain fluid balance within your body (14). When you drink enough water, your urine should be light to clear yellow. This means that your kidneys have enough water to expel toxins from your body.

When your urine is dark, it means that your kidney redirected water back into your body to maintain blood pressure and mineral balance (15).

Dark urine has a large concentration of toxins and should be taken as an urgent sign to drink more water.

Chronic dehydration can leave your kidneys overloaded with toxins, causing kidney stones.

9. Dry Skin And Lips

Your skin is made up of about 30% water, which contributes to plumpness, elasticity, and resiliency (14).

The oil that your skin produces prevents water from evaporating. However, factors like showering habits, dry air, heat and skin infection can lead to high rates of water evaporation, leaving your skin dry and itchy.

Skin cells are also the first to lose their fluid content during internal dehydration. This is done to favor fluid retention in the internal organs.

Drinking enough water everyday will help prevent this phenomenon and skin thickness and density.

10. Brain Fog

Water, or lack thereof, can produce changes in mood and cognitive functioning.

Mild dehydration can diminish short-term memory, perceptual discrimination, arithmetic ability, visuomotor tracking, and psychomotor skill in people of all ages (14).

It can also cause mood swings between exhaustion, confusion, anger and high energy.

Source: dailyhealthpost