That ONE Most Essential Thing Our Bodies Need Might Surprise You!

My Body Really Craved It, And I Wasn’t Getting Enough.

Hello Friends,

I’m a Type 2 Diabetic. Was first diagnosed back in 1998. I’m now 52 years old. How did I know I was a Diabetic and needed help back in 1998? Well…

So, my wife and I were sitting on the sofa one night watching television. I began noticing the television looked rather blurry to me. I then looked around the room and saw that a bookshelf, a lamp, and the fireplace, which all were only about 20ft away, were also blurry! Was I going blind?! I was very scared. My wife got me to the Emergency room in a flash.

When I got to the hospital, and told them my symptoms, they immediately asked if I was a Diabetic. I told them, “Not that I know of!”. They checked my blood sugar. The result came back as a blood sugar of 850! No way! YES!

I was immediately admitted to the hospital, and the very one I worked at! I worked as a patient care tech II, and prior to that, I was a Paramedic. They started me on an Insulin IV drip to bring this insanely high blood sugar down. It was after I got out of the hospital two days later, and yes, it took that long for them to get my sugar low enough, I knew that I had Diabetes.

Over time, Diabetes wreaks havoc on all the bodies systems. Everything from our eyes, our kidneys, our heart and blood vessels, our pancreas (which is normally already faulty), our nerves, and much more.

And here I am at 52, having learned just two weeks ago from my Diabetic Endocrinologist (A specialist in endocrine disorders and Diabetes) that based on my lab work, my kidney function was declining.

My GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate), or the rate at which our kidneys filter out waste products from our bodies, was a 37. That’s Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. I was devastated. I also looked at my Creatinine levels. Creatinine is one of the byproducts products of our muscles that our kidneys are responsible for eliminating. Mine was 1.99. On the high end. Meaning my kidneys weren’t filtering out enough of this waste as they should have been.

I was told to see a Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist). He’s ordered a kidney and bladder ultrasound, and a 24hr Urine collection to see just how much creatinine my kidneys are clearing from my body. Needless to say, I’m worried. I told the Nephrologist, Dr. Patel, that I wanted to live long enough to see my 9-year-old graduate from high school, and get married. I also wanted to one day walk with my wife, who was in the room with me that day, on the beach when we are in our 80s, holding hands. The cute little old couple like the ones we’ve seen. So in love. “Will I make that?”, I asked.

He said, “Steve, I’m going to do everything in my power to save your kidneys, but even still, I need you to change. Stop drinking sodas, stop eating things with lots of potassium, drink tons of water, watch my salt intake, and get a serious handle on my Diabetes. If you do this, you’ll most likely live that long. But if you don’t, then you will become a statistic.”

Lord Jesus, what a wake-up call!!!

You know what’s REALLY terrible? I KNOW this stuff! Every bit of it. We in the medical field who know healthcare are the worst patients, and take care of everyone but ourselves. It is utterly ridiculous. About as a ridiculous as a Pulmonologist (Lung specialist) who goes outside the hospital and smokes!

FACT: I’ve seen Pulmonologists and Respiratory Therapists smoke! And I’ve seen old men in wheelchairs sitting outside the VA Hospital smoking cigarettes through their stomas (permanent airway in the front of the neck). I kid you NOT! And while they are most likely highly intelligent people, these poor excuses represent the intelligence of a tobacco leaf on some things…

Dr. Patel asked me,“So, Steve. If you were to say in terms of 8oz glasses of water. Not sodas. Not juice. Especially not liquor! How many 8oz glasses of pure water would you say you drink per day?” I said, “Honestly, about 1 or 2”. He shook his head. My wife then shook her head. Then I shook mine.

It was then, at that moment sitting on the edge of a doctor's exam table, that I realized if I DIDN’T change my ways now, I’d be rolling away to the morgue on a gurney with wheels soon. Abruptly ending a potentially long existence. And my dreams to be with my child and my wife would be lost.

Devastating!

So, my dear friends. Let me tell you this. After leaving that office, I went to Sam’s club and I bought cases of water. I loaded my fridge. As instructed, I would drink water until the color of my urine was pretty much clear! NOT Yellow! Not any shade of yellow, if at all possible. Looking almost like I hadn’t gone. This is not an easy feat! It’s more water than people think!

I stopped buying sodas. I stopped eating the fruit I love, bananas, because they are just too high in potassium. I consume enough water that my pee is pretty much clear. And I’m checking my blood sugar often, and my portion sizes of food has shrunk. I’m no longer a food-glutton-garbage-disposal of a man that I used to be. Bear in mind, I’m 6' 9 and 243lbs. So I’m not very overweight. 230lbs is pretty much ideal for me with my stature and height. But we live in an overweight society that has major health issues. The prevalence of chronic illnesses has skyrocketed in the U.S. It’s pathetic!

And doctors are getting rich off of me and you! Waiting rooms stay full!

So let me let you in on a BIG secret that you’ll rarely hear. The ONE thing I could have been doing since 1998 that could have helped me keep my diabetes in check, helped my kidneys, my vessels, my brain and heart, and other bodily functions 10x healthier than they were! What is this one thing?

AIM TO DRINK ENOUGH WATER THAT YOUR URINE IS ALMOST CLEAR! (But don’t forget to eat healthy, 3 meals per day, also!)

But while doing that, don’t forget to eat healthy meals at least 3 times a day. Plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drinking that much water also causes our kidneys to flush out excess sodium, excess potassium, and excess creatinine, and other wastes. Makes its job easier! But sometimes too much!

Now, let me teach you all about this wonderfully refreshing drink!

The Importance of Drinking Water for the Human Body

Water is the most essential nutrient for human life. It makes up about 60% of our body weight and is involved in virtually every bodily function. Right down to the level of our blood cells! We need water to regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to our cells, remove waste products, lubricate our joints, and keep our skin from becoming dry.

Without water, we could only survive for a few days. Even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. In more severe cases, dehydration can cause confusion, seizures, and even death. A healthy adult can live 1 month without food, but only 3–5 days without water! It is a vitally important substance.

Benefits of Drinking Water

There are many benefits to drinking plenty of water. Here are just a few:

• Improved physical performance: Water helps to transport oxygen and nutrients to our muscles, which is essential for physical performance. When we are dehydrated, our muscles cannot work as efficiently, and we may experience fatigue and cramping.
• Weight loss: Water can help to reduce hunger and promotes a feeling of fullness, making it easier to lose weight. It can also help to boost metabolism and burn calories.
• Improved skin health: Water helps to keep our skin hydrated and plump, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It can also help to clear up acne and other skin conditions.
• Reduced risk of kidney stones: Water helps to flush out toxins from the kidneys and reduce the risk of kidney stones. Particularly the calcium oxalate kind of stones, which I personally had 18 of those since my early 20s! Gee…wonder WHY?!? (smacks thyself)
• Improved cognitive function: Water helps to keep our brains hydrated and functioning at their best. When we are dehydrated, we may experience difficulty concentrating, remembering things, and making decisions.
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Drinking plenty of water has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

In addition to the benefits listed above, drinking plenty of water can also:

• Improve mood and energy levels
• Boost the immune system
• Reduce stress levels
• Help to prevent migraines
• Improve sleep quality
• Promote healthy hair and nails

How to make drinking water more enjoyable

If you find it difficult to drink eight glasses (64oz) of water per day, here are a few tips to make it more enjoyable:

Add fruit slices or herbs to your water for flavor. You can also find different bottles of water flavorings like orange and grape in the Kool-Aid isle! Also:

• Try drinking sparkling water or seltzer water instead of plain water.
• Drink herbal tea or infused water. Green tea is excellent!
• Eat fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, such as watermelon, cucumbers, celery, apples, grapes, and pears.
• Keep a water bottle with you at all times so that you can sip on it throughout the day. You can also find really cool bottles that show the specific ounces you have consumed. I love the 64oz and 128oz ones!

Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to improve your overall health and well-being. Make sure to stay hydrated today and every day! Your kidneys will surely thank you!

Much love, and stay healthy, my friends…

I hope you enjoyed this, and it helps you and I BOTH live a much longer and healthier life! I will be publishing many more articles on healthcare topics, so if you’d like to subscribe to receive an email when I do, please feel free! Click on the link below. My goal is to educate you with a personal touch.