Incredible as it may seem, wa- ter is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in los- ing weight and keeping it off. Al- though most of us.take if for cranted, water may be the only true “Magic Potion” for perma- nent weight loss. Water suppresses the appetite aturally and helps the body me- abolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a de- rease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an crease in water intake can ac- tually reduce fat deposits. Here’s why: The kidneys can’t function properly without enough water. When they don’t work to capac- ity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabo- lize 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 wa- ter, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. Diuret- ics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutri- ents. Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly re- turns. 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 wa- ter retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concen- tration. The more salt you eat, the more water your system re- tains to dilute it. But. getting rid of 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. Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone By giving muscles their nat- ural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also Water The Wonder Drug How 8 Glasses a Day Keep Fat Away helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss — shrinking cells are buoyed by wa- ter, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and re- silient. Water helps rid the body of waste During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of — all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste. Water can help relieve consti- pation When the body gets too lit- tle water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a per- son drinks enough water, normal bowel function returns. How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day. That’s about 2 quarts. How- ever, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. the 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 sys- tem more quickly than warm wa- ter. And some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can ac- tually help burn calories. To utilize water most effi- ciently during weight loss, follow this schedule: Morning: 1 quart - consume over a 30 minute period. Noon: 1 quart — consume over a 30 minute period. Evening: 1 quart — consume between 5 and 6 o’clock When the body gets the wa- ter it needs to function opti- mally, its fluids are perfectly bal- anced. When this happens, you have reached the “breakthrough point”. What does this mean? — endocrine-gland function improves — fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost — more fat is used as fuel be- cause the liver is free to metabo- lize stored fat — natural thirst returns — there is a loss of hunger al- most overnight If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid reten- tion, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy this sit- uation you’ll have to go back and force another “breakthrough”. 8 er Ae TPP er STINTS Td > Ble the I Se LEVI’S® PRICES. IN TOWN! 4 LEVI’S® 501 29.99 LEVI’S” 501 Irregulars GUYS See nee nee: 353-99 LEVIS” 531 Stonewashed GALS Bleach LEVI’S” 531 16% carat ; oe 4 $33. 4 eA ee Z ma 3 55.00 Darkwashed All AT 33. CHRISTOPHERS Beach Clut/! CHARLOTTETOWN WATERFRONT MALL hdd SUMMERSIDE - Reg. $49.99 - Reg. $49.99 - Reg. $48.99 - Reg. $52.99 Daves Cave DOWNSTAIRS HEC CONFED COURT MALL =>} Thursday, November 2nd, 1989 ——