Water is the second most important nutrient for life, after oxygen. More than two-thirds of the body is made up of water, with the brain being made up of nearly 85 percent water and solid tissue (like muscle) being made up of about 70 percent. Are we drinking enough? Not by a long shot, according to a survey released on May 11, 1998, from the Nutrition Information Center at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. The survey shows that "a significant number of Americans may be drinking themselves to dehydration by consuming too little water and too many beverages that rob the body of water (alcohol,caffeine)." While the survey of 3,003 respondents did reveal that the "average American" drinks nearly eight daily servings of hydrating beverages (such as water, milk, juice, and decaffeinated soft drinks), this is undermined by the nearly five servings of diuretic caffeine- or alcohol-containing beverages reported. "The net result is that most Americans are probably only getting about a third of the valuable hydration benefits they need," says Barbara Levine, R.D., Ph.D., director of the Nutrition Information Center. "The vast majority aren't drinking enough water." Water has an important role in nearly every major function in the body -- regulating body temperature, carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, removing waste, cushioning joints, and protecting organs and tissues. It's the major component of blood and contains much dissolved oxygen that is easily assimilated by the body; it helps prevent constipation; and it flushes the body of metabolic wastes. Water also helps maintain muscle tone, supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells, moves waste products and toxins out of the body, and acts as a natural "air conditioning" system. This clear liquid is also crucial for metabolic reactions. When the body becomes dehydrated, metabolism slows down, and electrolyte imbalances can occur, leading to a substantial decrease in energy levels and, over time, nervous disorders. 8 a day? Remember that the general recommendation of eight glasses of water a day may vary widely depending on different factors, including body size, climate, and environment, as well as living habits and activity levels. As you might guess, high levels of physical and mental activity, and excessive stress, increase the body's requirements for water. Water is also used for the breakdown of protein, so, if you increase your in-take of protein-rich foods, your level of water consumption should increase, as well. If you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, water is crucial in moving metabolic wastes through the body to lessen the burden on the kidneys and liver. In fact, water is called the universal solvent since it's capable of dissolving and carrying nearly any kind of matter, including toxins. Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true "magic potion" for permanent weight loss. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in the water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops. Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body get less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extra-cellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet,legs and hands. Don't substitute caffeinated coffees, teas, and sodas for water. Caffeine acts; as a diuretic, causing you to lose water through increased urination. Alcoholic beverages have a similar effects Diuretics force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs .... plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy just drink more water. As it's forced through the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium. The overweight person needs more water than thin ones. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water. Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss...shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps the skin and it clear, healthy and resilient. Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a person drinks enough water , normal bowel function usually returns. So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths about water and weight loss: *The body will not function properly without enough water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently. *Retained water shows up as excess weight. *To get rid of excess water you must drink more water. *Drinking water is essential to weight loss. How much water is enough? On the average a person should drink eight 8oz. glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry. Water should preferable be cold...it's absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. And some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. To utilize water most efficiently during weight loss, follow this schedule: MORNING--1 quart consumed over a 30min. period. Noon-- 1 quart consumed over a 30min. period. Evening--1 quart consumed over a 30min. period. When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, it's fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens you have reached the "breakthrough point". What does this mean? *Endocrine-glad function improves. *Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost. *More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat. *Natural thirst returns. *There is a loss of hunger almost overnight. If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown off balance again and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you'll have to go back and drink more water.

Thanks for the update, dredre! Like Krycek, I always appreciate those.. About the food, unless you are talking about the canned version, the Science Diet K/D is not going to do much for your kitty's kidneys. It is not so much the 'by-products' that are troubling (with ALL Science Diet fry foods) but the absence of meat --and moisture, obviously. Cats are obligate carnivores, and Science Diet is not species appropriate for cats. Also, it is MUCH, MUCH too high in carbs (corn, wheat..) for a healthy diet. This is just my opinion.. However, it is always better for a cat to eat, than not eat. Some cats (I have one of those!!)won't change from kibble to canned food, and cats with kidney issues are notorious for being finicky eaters!!! Is she on dry or wet food? By the way, my male cat (who also had kidney issues) did have a small 'mass' (seen on X-ray) in the pelvic area that made it very hard for him to pass stools. According to our vet, that mass grew over a few months, and by pressing on the bladder, prevented him for passing urine at the end. WE expressed (manually) his bladder, for a few days and finally reached the final decision. It was never clear what that mass was, but, because of his kidney issues, did not pursue surgery. This was not meant to scare you, but keep an eye on her urinating... Maybe another X-ray in a couple of months might be helpful, unless all is normal, of course--which I hope. Looks like, at this point, it is all resolved for Emma. I am so glad Emma is doing WELL. She has a GREAT mom!! Give us an update whenever you can. Anne-Marie

Alisande- Thanks for the link.... :-) You will get more probiotic benefit from the number and types of good bacteria found in kefir than from any brand of yogurt, including Stonyfield Farm. While most commercial yogurt products have 2 strains of bacteria, Stonyfield Farm has 6 live lactic-acid bacteria to set it aside from the rest, if you want to compare commercial yogurt products. This link contains a list of the number of bacteria and yeast found in water kefir grains: http://www.yemoos.com/waterkefirstrains.html Kefir contains “right-turning” lactic acid, and you can read the difference, and the benefits, at this link. http://www.genesishealth.ca/kefir-a-better-ancient-healing-food-then-yogurt/   I've been making yogurt for at least 40-years (back in my hippy days ;-). I consider Greek yogurt an over-priced fad with few actual health benefits. I can drain the whey from dairy kefir curd for a Greek-style kefir. I did the same thing with homemade yogurt long before it became popular. I first made kefir with the powdered starter until I could locate real kefir grains. Kefir grains are a living bacteria which renews itself, grows and makes more kefir grains; while yogurt bacteria dies after subsequent batches and has to be renewed with new cultures. You can get the "Heirloom Yogurt Starter Culture", which included viili, from Cultures For Health - http://www.culturesforhealth.com/heirloom-yogurt-starters.html  I've also made "Set Milk" http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/category/set-milk.php  These cultures are from Germany. I always make my own quick and easy sour cream with cream and commercial buttermilk (which contains live active cultures). Homemade Sour Cream 2 c. heavy whipping cream 3 T. cultured buttermilk [You can easily make 1/2 a recipe if 2-cups is too much.] Place these ingredients in a sterilized jar; stir to blend. Cover the top with a coffee filter or white paper towel (secure with a rubber band to the jar). Let sit in your oven with the light on for 24-hours, until it has thickened. Put a lid on the jar and refrigerate for 24-hours before using. This sour cream won't separate, curdle and break when cooking with it. Sorry to hijack the thread about drinks for St. Patrick's Day, but one good thing often leads to another - cheers!

@roarah oops I'm behind on the posts. I'm sorry you're dealing with Sjogren's too. Not sure I have it yet, but waiting on blood test results. My mouth feels like permanent cotton mouth and when I go for a run I will at times go completely dry and not be able produce any saliva. Thankfully at night I have to wear a mouth guard so that seems to help at least producing some saliva so not as bothered at night. I'm a type 1 diabetic who through avoiding any sugars or foods that spike my blood sugar I maintain a 4.9 - 5.1 A1C which is in the middle of the normal non-diabetic range, so hence I'm not as worried about high sugar damage as most diabetics should be and do tend to focus on other things as being potential worries too. Unfortunately there isn't much data or studies on type 1's like me due to most not willing to do that, but I have to think that keeping my numbers in control like that puts me closer to the normal population as far as risks. I may start a new post once I know more if I have Sjogren since there are several on here with experience in this area. Sorry Oakley for taking things off topic.