Hydration and Spinal Health

Hydration is important no matter what time of year – especially in south Florida! As the temperatures continue to rise in the summer months and we spend more time in the water, many of us tend to forget to drink enough. Here’s why proper hydration is so important to the health of your body and spine.

Hydration for Your Health

Did you know your body is made up of approximately 65% water? To function optimally, your body needs proper hydration as every cell needs water. Water does so much for the body including:

• Moistens tissues (like your eyes, nose, and mouth)

• Lubricates the joints

• Regulates temperature

• Flushes out waste products in the liver and kidney

• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells

• Makes nutrients accessible to the body by helping dissolve them

• Increases ease of bowel movements and helps prevent constipation

• Protects organs and body tissues

• Assists in the metabolism process

This list is far from complete, but it highlights just how important water is to your overall health and wellness.

Hydration for Spinal Health

The function and health of your spine also requires proper hydration. The discs in your spine are made up almost entirely of water, but they are unable to absorb water like the rest of your body. These discs get their nutrition (water included) through a process called imbibition. Imbibition results when there is proper motion between the joints around each disc. The motion creates an effect like a pump and nutrients are moved in and out of the disc, meaning proper hydration is vital for nutrient delivery.

How Much Water is Enough?

Most people follow the old rule that an adult should drink eight 8-ounce glasses per day. But each person is different – different sizes, different activity levels, different metabolic rates, etc. We suggest you stick to drinking half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water each day. Remember that coffee and alcohol are diuretics that can dehydrate the body, so keep that in mind if you consume either regularly.

Chiropractic Care at Markson Chiropractic

Misalignments and restrictions in the spine negatively affect the imbibition process and the spinal discs supply of nutrients. If the discs are lacking nutrients and water, it can lead to disc degeneration which causes instability and spinal decay. A decline in spinal health also affects the central nervous system, which communicates with every system, organ, structure, and cell in your body. So, without proper hydration, the health of the spinal discs, spine, and even overall health of the body is impacted. When you make chiropractic care a part of your regular healthcare routine, subluxations are removed and alignment is restored, which improves the imbibition process. Regular chiropractic adjustments help your body better absorb water and stay healthy.

As we get further into the heat of summer, it’s important to stay hydrated and keep in mind that heat pulls water from the body. Drink plenty of water and keep up with your regular chiropractic adjustments at your local Plantation chiropractor for a happy and healthy summer. Click here to schedule an adjustment today!