Water is essential to life. Most people know and accept this as a given. But the importance of water in our lives goes beyond simply quenching our thirst on a hot day. Water, in all of its purity, is essential to maintaining the total health of the body and in protecting it from a variety of disorders and diseases. The importance of hydration is often overlooked when people talk about natural cancer therapies. But it is one of the most important factors in the all-natural treatment and prevention of cancer, and the adverse effects of dehydration on the human body cannot be overestimated.
Water and Cancer – Causes and Effects
Two-thirds of the human body is comprised of water, and the cells and organs in our bodies depend on that water to perform a variety of vital functions. Water is necessary for the transportation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and for the constant removal of waste and other dangerous toxins. When we allow our bodies to become dehydrated, we create an environment in which cancerous cells can more easily develop and replicate. Studies have demonstrated that cancer cells are unable to thrive in an oxygen rich environment, and when we allow ourselves to become dehydrated we inadvertently rob the cells and organs in our body of the oxygen they need to remain healthy and free from cancer. The effect of toxins on the proliferation of cancer is also well documented, and when a body becomes dehydrated toxic levels can build and lead to the formation of cancer cells and tumors. Another important factor to consider, is that when a body becomes even mildly dehydrated it will attempt to compensate by drawing water from less critical areas of the body, ultimately weakening the body’s defenses against a wider range of diseases and disorders.
Dehydration and Cancer Formation
Dehydration contributes to the formation of cancer in a variety of different ways:
- It Suppresses the Immune System – When a body becomes dehydrated, histamine production is increased. This can lead to an increase in vasopressin, a chemical that inhibits the normal function of the immune system. Increased histamine levels also affects the ability of bone marrow to produce the white blood cells which are instrumental in destroying cancerous, and precancerous, cells.
- It Can Lead to Critical DNA Damage – Proper hydration allows the body to expel waste and toxins. When toxins build up in the body, they can inhibit the normal flow of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. When this happens, the cell’s natural DNA structure can be damaged, leading to the proliferation of mutant, and/or cancerous, cells. Long term dehydration can lead to permanent damage to the DNA structure of the cells, allowing mutant cells to grow and colonize into tumorous growths.
- It Disrupts the Body’s Natural pH Balance – A healthy body has a pH level of between 7.3 and 7.4. When a body becomes dehydrated over a long period of time, the kidneys are unable to properly eliminate acidic waste. When this happens, the body’s pH level becomes unbalanced, causing acid levels to increase and alkaline levels to decrease. Studies have shown that cancer thrives in an acidic environment, so it is vital to stay properly hydrated in order to maintain the body’s optimal pH levels.
It you have cancer your water intake is even more important as a part of an alternative cancer treatment program. This is an absolute necessity making sure you drink at least 32 ounces per 50 pounds per day.
Hydrating for Health – How Much is Enough
If we accept that hydration is a key component in the natural prevention and treatment of cancer, we must then learn the best ways to keep our bodies hydrated. Water is the natural choice, but not all water is created equal. Unfortunately, tap water today contains a variety of contaminants that can prove to be harmful to our health. Consequently, distilled water, or water that has been filtered using a reverse osmosis method, is the preferred alternative to regular tap water. As to how much water a person should drink each day to prevent chronic dehydration, the amounts vary by individual according to lifestyle and certain health factors. A general rule of thumb however is roughly 16-32 ounces per each 50 pounds of body weight.
Chronic dehydration can lead to a number of adverse health conditions, not the least of which is cancer. Often, people may not even realize that their bodies are dehydrated. But to maintain the body’s total health, and to protect it from potential cancers, it is vital to keep the body hydrated through the regular intake of pure clean water.
