How Eight Glasses a Day Keeps 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 reducing water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while drinking more water can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The kidney's 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 functions 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 outside of 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 only tolerate so much sodium. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains 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 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 helps to maintain proper muscle tone.

Water gives muscles their natural ability to contract and prevent dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss — shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste.

During the weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of — the 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 returns.

How much water is enough?

On average, a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. Amount you drink also should 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 can actually help burn calories. When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, your:

• Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost
• More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat
• Natural thirst returns
• There is a loss of hunger

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weightgain and loss of thirst. To remedy the situation, you need to get back on track and drink water!