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HOW
8 GLASSES A DAY KEEP 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 metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a
decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while
an increase in 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 on the liver.
One of the liver's
primary function is to metabolize 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 metabolizes 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 gets less water, it perceives this
as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water
is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up
as swollen feet, legs and hands.
Diuretics 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 retains to dilute it. 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 a
thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know
that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the
overweight person needs more water
Water helps to maintain proper muscle
tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by
preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin
that usually follows weight loss - shrinking cells are buoyed by
water, which pumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and
reslilient.
Water helps rid the body of waste.
During weight loss, the body has a lot more wast to get rid of - all
that metabolized 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 discovered some remarkable truths about
water and weight loss: | 
