Are you sick or just thirsty? Why getting enough, high quality water is essential to good health.

Did you know that water is the most essential nutrient in the body. The human body can go weeks without food, but only days without water. This is because water water makes up 55-60% of the total mass of the body. For a healthy human adult, this equates to 10-13 gallons of water.

Water plays dozens of important roles in the body. Here are a few of the most essential:

Helps transport nutrients
Enables cellular hydration
Cushions bones and joints
Regulates body temperature
Removes waste and flushes toxins
Facilitates digestion

It's easy to agree that good hydration is a foundation of proper body function, but how do we know if we are getting enough water?

Here's a good rule of thumb:
Half your body weight in pounds = the number of ounces of water you should be drinking each day.
Add 1.5 ounces of water for every diuretic beverage you consume.
For example a 140 lb person needs 70 oz of water
If the same person drinks 12 oz of coffee each day, she needs 88 oz of water.

Diuretics include coffee, tea, soda, juices, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Dehydration can sneak up on us, especially in warm weather, and the effects can be cumulative, worsening day after day. Watch for the following signs of dehydration.

Early Signs:
Fatigue
Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Cravings
Cramps
Headaches
Hunger

Mature Signs:
Heartburn
Joint Pain
Back Pain
Migraines
Body-aches
Constipation

If you experience any of these symptoms assess the veins in the back of your hands. They should "pop out" at least somewhat, both when you have your hands down at your sides and when you hold them up to eye level. If your veins look flat or even concave under your skin you are likely dehydrated.

If you are dehydrated, be sure you are drinking enough water following the rule of thumb formula. In addition, you can add electrolytes to your water such as a pinch of sea salt, or a few drops of ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops.

But what about water quality?
Despite strict regulation and sanitation efforts, there are many opportunities for impurities to be introduced into our drinking water. The public water supply contains disinfection by-products, substances formed by the interaction of organic matter in the water and disinfection agents used to clean the water before distribution. Well water can contain bacterial or chemical run off. All water can be exposed to contaminants during transit from the source to your home in the form of poorly maintained municipal or residential plumbing.

That being said, when choosing your source of drinking water there are a few things to keep in mind.

If you choose to drink tap water, it's important to have your water tested. A reputable plumbing or water treatment company can test your drinking water for contaminants and recommend appropriate water treatment systems to protect your health and extend the longevity of your plumbing and fixtures.

If you choose to filter your water, be sure to use your filtered water for cooking. Boiling water does not remove certain types of contaminants like heavy metals. Additionally, invest in a filter for your shower as some contaminants can vaporize when water is hot and are harmful to breath in.

If you choose to drink bottled water, opt for water stored in glass, as chemicals from plastic can leach into water, especially during temperature changes. When taking water from home, use a glass or stainless steel reusable water bottle.

Natural spring water is often a mineral rich and safe alternative to investing in a home water treatment system. FindASpring.com is a website that provides information on the location, status, and relative purity of springs across the United States. You can bring your own containers and fill them up for minimal cost in comparison to bottled water.

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