I’m reading a book I picked up at a used book store this week entitled, The Seven Pillars of Health The Natural Way To Better Health For Life, by Don Colbert, MD.

The format makes it very easy to read and absorb because it is written to be read in short excerpts over fifty days. The topic of water takes 7 days to read. Each day covers around 3-4 pages. I love when you can learn something in small sips 😉 instead of having it blasted at you with a fire hose.

I have found the first Pillar—water—to be a fascinating subject.

Here are some things to ponder:

• “You can live five to seven weeks without food, but the average adult can last no more than five days without water.” (p. 5)
• Headaches, joint pain, heartburn, and depression is often due to not drinking enough water. (pp. 6-7)
• Water can help you lose weight, get rid of arthritis symptoms, and make your high blood pressure return to normal. (p.7)
• God created us to rely on water to live. (p.7) (That makes me wonder—why? Why water?)
• Dr. Colbert treats every patient he sees with water first, which he says does “more to improve your health than anything else you can do!” (p. 7)
• Your brain cells are mostly water—about 85 percent. (p.14)

On day two, on pp. 8-9, Dr. Colbert describes what water does for the body:

• Water is the main lubricant in the joint spaces and helps prevent arthritis and back pain.
• Water increases the efficiency of the immune system.
• Water prevents clogging of arteries in the heart and brain, and thus helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Water is directly connected to brain function—it is needed for the efficient manufacture of neurotransmitters, including serotonin; it is needed for the production of hormones made by the brain, such as melatonin…it improves our attention span.
• Water helps prevent memory loss as we age….
• Water affects our appearance, making our skin smoother…it also reduces the effects of aging.

Mild dehydration causes a rise in blood pressure. Adequate intake of water also helps with Asthma. Dr. Colbert explains why on Day 2.

Dr. Colbert recommends that we drink two quarts of water per day.

Saturday, I got out an antique pitcher I bought years ago at a thrift store and measured out two quarts of water. I set it on the counter so I could refill my “Uncle Si” Tupperware cup throughout the day. (You have to watch Duck Dynasty to understand my cup.) I like my water at room temperature, and each time I entered the kitchen, there set that big green pitcher, so I couldn’t forget to drink.

At the end of the day, I had about one 8 oz glass of water still to go, and I was feeling a little nauseous. I think we have to use some biofeedback when experimenting with changes in our habits. In the past I have drank coffee, teas, Kombucha, and still been extremely thirsty afterward. Drinking more water did prevent the extreme thirst I sometimes feel after the other beverages and so I did experience better hydration.

Today (Sunday), as I write this post I have about 3 more glasses in the pitcher to finish out the day. It was hard to get all the glasses in since I went to church Sunday morning and evening and napped in the afternoon. Other ways Dr. Colbert suggests to get the recommended amount is by increasing your intake of salads, vegetables, and fruits. (p. 14) This may have accounted for the nausea on Saturday, as that is what I mostly ate all day and probably had taken in too much water for my body size.

I highly recommend this book for everyone. In fact, I thought it was so important once I began reading, I ordered one for my daughter and son’s families from Thrift Books to place in their personal libraries for improvement of health.

If you want to learn what types of water is safe to drink, I suggest you look into acquiring this book for your own library. Hint: bottled water is not safe.

Is it hard for you to drink two quarts (eight glasses) of water a day? Feel free to tell us your story with water in the comments below.

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14