On an average day, your body can lose two to three quarts of water a day. If the water is not replaced, your body starts to dehydrate. As dehydration progresses, the hair and skin will start to dry out. When your body's water supply is low, your body's innate intelligence will begin to ration water to vital or life saving organs such as the brain and heart. As a result, your hair will begin to shed as it is literally dying of thirst. Some of the early signs of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, fatigue, and lethargy.
One-Fourth the weight of your hair is water, that in itself makes water an essential nutrient for healthy hair. When their is not enough water to supply your hair with what it needs to be healthy you will notice shedding, dandruff, thinning, and eventually hair loss. Also dehydration will cause your hair growth to become slow as there is not enough moisture to hydrate the roots or to carry nutrients to the the roots to stimulate hair growth.
How water helps to maintain healthy hair
- Water Flushes toxins from the body
- Water carries nutrients to the root where hair growth begins
- Water lubricates the hair shaft. Healthy hair has to maintain a proper moisture balance.
- Water promotes a healthy shine in hair and skin.
- During the winter months, especially, you need adequate amounts of water to prevent your hair and skin from drying out.
How much water should you drink
Most experts say drink 8-10 glasses. I have my clients follow the body weight rule, which is drink 1/2 your body weight in water daily. If you weigh 200 pounds drink 100 ounces of water daily. As you lose weight your water intake goes down. If you gain weight your water intake should go up. Of course you should always check with your health care professional whenever you need to make nutritional changes. Also, if you have kidney disease, or are on dialysis you should follow the advice of your physician.
