Re: Bob, can you drink too much water?

> Here in Australia where I come from it is very remote and tropical, only 2 seasons, the wet and the dry. Many times people have fallen very ill, some nearly die, reportedly from over drinking water. I thought maybe it was the water being contaminated, but most water supplies in the national parks are spring fed. How much water would you drink in a day?
> cheers Gill

Yes, there is a condition known as "water intoxication." It usually affects marathon runners and other such long distance athletes.

Dr. Bird says, "As they consume large amounts of water blood plasma increases. The salt content of the blood is diluted. At the same time losing salt by sweating. Therefore the amount of salt available to the body tissues decreases over time to a point where the loss interferes with brain, heart, and muscle function."

The symptoms generally mirror those of dehydration!

Some people hiking the canyon drink large amounts of water and do not eat enough food to provide for electrolyte (salt, potassium) replacement and energy. Fears of dehydration has led to a mistaken belief that the safe thing to do is to drink as much and as often as possible. But even with drinking water, there can be too much of a good thing.

My brother, at 6'5", 225, used to drink 2 gallons per day. He now drinks one gallon. I would stick with 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon on a regular day to day basis. OR, Drink 1/2 your body weight of water in ounces, daily. Example 180 lb = 90 oz. of water daily. Divide that into 8 or 10 oz. glasses and that's how many glasses you will need to drink, daily. Use 1/4 tsp. of salt for every quart of water you drink. Use salt liberally with food. As long as you drink the water, you can use the salt. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. These are diuretics and will dehydrate you. Every 6 oz. of caffeine or alcohol requires an additional 10 to 12 oz. of water to re-hydrate you: from - //www.curezone.org/foods/watercure.asp Tweet