Hydration
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- Date Submitted: 03/12/2010 02:45 PM
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Hydration CheckPoint
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Water is the most important nutrient for life; in fact, a person needs more water than any other nutrient to sustain life. An individual could possibly survive for weeks without food, but survival without water would probably only last a few days. Water plays an important role in regulating the body’s temperature, lubricating its joints, and excreting its toxins. In addition, saliva is water and blood mostly consists of water; therefore, water also plays an important role in the digestion process as well as an important role in the transportation of oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body.
Since the body cannot store water, water must constantly be consumed. The amount of water needed by the body varies depending on circumstances such as age, gender, and exercise. For instance, adults need to consume more water than children and men need to consume more water than women; 3.7 liters for men compared to 2.7 liters for women. It is important to note, these are minimum amounts of consumption. Low calorie diets and diets high in sodium and fiber may require additional water intake. Furthermore, heat, humidity, and strenuous activitywill quickly drain the water in a person’s body. In such cases, consuming more water than the recommendations is suggested in order to prevent dehydration.
Dehydration occurs when the level of water in the body is so low; the delivery of oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream becomes impaired. Dehydration can lead to headaches; fatigue; loss of appetite; and, if left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms such as nausea; confusion; disorientation; and, ultimately, death. In short, preventing dehydration could be as simple as drinking adequate amounts of water.
Adequate amounts of the electrolytes sodium, potassium, and chloride are also essential to a healthy life. These nutrients are called electrolytes because of the electrically charged ions they...
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Water is the most important nutrient for life; in fact, a person needs more water than any other nutrient to sustain life. An individual could possibly survive for weeks without food, but survival without water would probably only last a few days. Water plays an important role in regulating the body’s temperature, lubricating its joints, and excreting its toxins. In addition, saliva is water and blood mostly consists of water; therefore, water also plays an important role in the digestion process as well as an important role in the transportation of oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body.
Since the body cannot store water, water must constantly be consumed. The amount of water needed by the body varies depending on circumstances such as age, gender, and exercise. For instance, adults need to consume more water than children and men need to consume more water than women; 3.7 liters for men compared to 2.7 liters for women. It is important to note, these are minimum amounts of consumption. Low calorie diets and diets high in sodium and fiber may require additional water intake. Furthermore, heat, humidity, and strenuous activitywill quickly drain the water in a person’s body. In such cases, consuming more water than the recommendations is suggested in order to prevent dehydration.
Dehydration occurs when the level of water in the body is so low; the delivery of oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream becomes impaired. Dehydration can lead to headaches; fatigue; loss of appetite; and, if left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms such as nausea; confusion; disorientation; and, ultimately, death. In short, preventing dehydration could be as simple as drinking adequate amounts of water.
Adequate amounts of the electrolytes sodium, potassium, and chloride are also essential to a healthy life. These nutrients are called electrolytes because of the electrically charged ions they...