Stay Hydrated for Spinal Health

Drinking plenty of water is important no matter what time of year, but especially during the hot summer months. As we spend more time outdoors, we also tend to forget to stay hydrated. Here’s why proper hydration is s important to the health of your spine and body.

Hydration and Your Health

Did you know that your body is made up of about 65% water? Many body functions depend on proper hydration and every cell in the body requires water to function. Water does a lot for the body including:

• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Regulates temperature
• Makes nutrients and minerals accessible by helping dissolve them
• Flushes out waste products in the kidney and liver
• Moistens tissues (think of your eyes, nose, and mouth)
• Lubricates the joints
• Prevents constipation and increases ease of bowel movements
• Assists in the metabolism process
• Protects organs and body tissues

Water does so much for the body and this list is just the start of it!

Hydration and Spinal Health

Hydration is also important to the proper function and health of your spine. Spinal discs are made up mostly of water, but they can’t absorb water like the rest of the body. The discs of your spine receive nutrition (water included) through a process called imbibition. Imbibition results when there is proper motion between the joints around each disc. That motion creates a pump-like effect and nutrition can move in and out of the disc, meaning proper hydration is required for nutrient delivery.

How Much Water is Needed to Stay Hydrated?

There’s an old rule for water that says you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. But every body is different, meaning different bodies have different needs. Instead, try to drink half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weight 180 pounds, you should consume 90 ounces of water per day. Remember that coffee and alcohol are diuretics and can dehydrate the body, so if you consume them regularly, keep that in mind when determining your daily water intake.

Your Brooklyn Chiropractor

Restrictions and misalignments in the spine can affect the imbibition process, meaning spinal discs may not receive the nutrition they need. If the discs aren’t properly hydrated, it can lead to disc degeneration, instability, and eventually spinal decay. A decline in spinal health and also negatively impact the central nervous system, which communicates with every system, organ, and cell in the body. So, if not properly hydrated, the health of the discs, spine, and even the entire body suffers. With regular chiropractic adjustments, subluxations are removed and proper alignment is restored. This improves the imbibition process and with regular chiropractic care, you can help your body better absorb water and stay healthy. As summer gets going, it’s especially important to stay hydrated. So, drink plenty of water and visit Williamsburg Chiropractic in Brooklyn, NY for a healthy and happy summer. Click here to request an appointment today!