How 8 Glasses a Day Keeps the Fat Away

Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true “magic potion” for permanent weight loss.

Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolise stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase. Water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

Here’s why: The kidneys can’t function properly without enough water. When they don’t work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver.

One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabolise stored fat into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney’s work, it can’t operate at full throttle. As a result it metabolises less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body get less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands.

Diurectics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns.

The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs – plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.

If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water your system needs to dilute it. But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy – just drink more water. As it’s forced through the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium.

The overweight person needs more water than the thin person. Larger people have large metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss the body has a lot more waste to get rid of – all that metabolised fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result: constipation. But when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

So far, we’ve discussed some remarkable truths about water and weight loss. The body will not function properly without enough water and can’t metabolise stored fat efficiently.

Retained water shows up as excess weight.

To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.

Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

How much water is enough? On average, a person should drink eight 250ml glasses every day. That’s about two quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 1 0.5kgs of excess weight. The amount you drink should also be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

Water should preferably be cold – it’s absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water and some evidence suggests that drinking cold water actually helps to burn calories.

To utilise water loss, follow this schedule:

Morning: 1 litre consumed over a 30 minute period.

Noon: 1 litre consumed over a 30 minute period.

Evening: 1 litre consumed between five and six o’clock.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally. Its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the breakthrough point. What does this mean?

Endocrind-gland function improves

Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.

More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolise stored fat.

Natural thirst returns.

There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again; and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. Te remedy the situation you’ll have to go back and force another “breakthrough”.

Dr Evan R Walker
MD, MBC