Why You Should Monitor Your Total Body Water?

Approximately 50-65 % of our weight is WATER.It plays a vital role in helping you to stay healthy by:
1) Regulating body temperature by sweating and respiration
2) Removing waste & toxins from the body mainly through urination
3) Carrying nutrients, oxygen, enzymes, hormones & glucose to the cells.
4) Cushioning joints & strengthening muscles.
5) Providing natural moisture to skin & other tissues.
6) A vital nutrient to the life of every cell, acts first as a building material.
7) The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream.
8) Acts as a shock absorber for brain, spinal cord, and fetus
9) Forms saliva
10) lubricates joints

You continuously lose water during the day through sweat, urine & breathing. The amount of water you lose depends on factors such as physical activity, climatic conditions, illness, medications if any, hormone changes, & poor nutrition.

Thirst is the main indicator of dehydration, as the mechanism only kicks in when you are already dehydrated. Early symptoms of dehydration are decreased energy or fatigue, headaches & dizziness.

Also dark colored urine, which may have an odor, infrequent urination, dry lips, mouth, skin, nausea, constipation.

Finding the right balance of water intake will ensure your body functions efficiently, will make you feel healthier & more alert & will reduce the risk of serious health problems. Being properly hydrated will also ensure you are performing at your best, allowing you to exercise longer.

The average Total Percentage of Body Water % ranges for a healthy adult are:

1. FEMALE : 45-60 %
2. MALE : 50-65 %

According to Dr. Jeffrey Utz, Neuroscience, pediatrics, Allegheny University, different people have different percentages of their bodies made up of water. Babies have the most, being born at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount drops to about 65%. In adult men, about 60% of their bodies are water. However, fat tissue does not have as much water as lean tissue. In adult women, fat makes up more of the body than men, so they have about 55% of their bodies made of water. Thus:
»» Babies and kids have more water (as a percentage) than adults.
»» Women have less water than men (as a percentage).

»» People with more fatty tissue have less water than people with less fatty tissue (as a percentage).

For Athletes , the figure is approximately 5% above these averages, as they will have greater muscle mass. Skeletal muscle contains more water than fat tissues.

As your total body water level changes naturally throughout the day, this may affect your body fat % reading. First thing in the morning you will be dehydrated & the fluid in your body will be stored in the central trunk area. As the day progresses, this fluid becomes more evenly distributed & also eating & drinking will also affect your body water level.So even though your actual body fat mass will not change during the day, your body fat % will, as your total water changes. Your body fat reading could vary as much as 3-4 % in a24 -hour period.

Sources:
1) The Nature of Water: Environment Canada
2) Mrs. Rekha Champaneria: Dietician & Diabetic  Educator: 8976842398/9930512794