Sorry for the delay in getting this blog post to you, but since water is such an important part of being a healthy human, I still wanted share this info.
Yesterday was World Water Day, an initiative set up by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.Currently, we are in the second decade of World Water Day and in the middle of the UN International Decade for Action Water for Life 2005–2015 and the primary goal of this decade is to increase access to water and sanitation to fight disease and imrprove the health and well-being of the world population.
Check out the Water for Life booklet and in the meantime here are some interesting and distressing facts:
- Lack of safe water and adequate sanitation is the world’s single largest cause of illness.
- Over half of the hospital beds in the developing world are occupied by people suffering from preventable diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation
- Unsafe water and lack of sanitation are major factors underlying many of the 10 million child deaths every year.
- Increased urbanization is placing an enormous strain on existing water and sanitation infrastructure.
We all know that water is essential for life. All organisms rely on water for survival and sustainability. The human body is composed of 70% water by mass and water plays an essential role in the growth and maintenance of our bodies and in many metabolic processes. It is no surprise to learn that water is important for health but what is so important about drinking water and losing weight?
In the absence or reduction of adequate water intake, the kidneys are no longer able to function properly, and therefore the liver has to step in...you might think that your organs have a nice little buddy-system going on with that, but in fact, the liver's own activity is compromised during periods of dehydration and the liver is responsible for converting fat into energy. Not drinking enough water not only stresses your kidneys and your liver, but it also sets your body up for storing fat.
As we continue to get healthy, increase our water intakes, and prepare to add an exercise component to the challenge next week think about the nearly 1 billion people around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water.
If you'd like to do something to help, check out www.water.org, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White which has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.
They are currently offering a limited edition design, environmentally friendly Camelback water bottle where 100% of the profits go directly to support people in the world who lack clean water. It's a perfect way to make sure that you have water to drink throughout your work day or your workout while also giving someone you don't know the gift of hope for a healthy life.
Yours in good health,
Elizabeth
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