Surprisingly, water also happens to be one of the keys to the mental processes behind fat-burning. Often when the sensation of hunger is felt - a neurological signal generated by the brain - the actual underlying condition can at times be dehydration. The brain only senses it needs more energy for digestion and waste metabolism. Energy can come from calories, obviously, but it can also come from water indirectly.
Water restores metabolic functions which generate energy. Simply drinking water the next time you feel those afternoon or evening hunger signals may eliminate the desire to eat - the signal may be from the brain that your liver requires energy.
Digestion and metabolism are actually the most energy-draining process in the human body. If you can ensure that the organs work at optimum efficiency, it can lead to reduced instances of “false hunger” signals as well as better fat loss via less needless calories consumed.
Water comprises about 60% of the human body’s overall mass. Muscle is over 75% water. Like protein, also a key component in muscle, ingesting more water will not directly lead to more muscle mass. However, without adequate water you cannot build lean muscle mass.
On the other hand, body fat is only 15% water. Fat is the most inactive tissue in the body until processed for fuel. One of the reasons for this is the lack of water within a fat cell. Your body is basically a bio electric machine and water is a conduit for neuroelectrical processes. Less water means less cellular activity.
It is suggested that one liter of water should be consumed in a day for every 20 Kgs of bodyweight. This may well be over the ‘eight glass per day’ rule, but takes into account the additional dehydration due to exercise, consumption of coffee and other dehydrating substances. So it is better to err on the higher side than lesser. And do remember to spread out the consumption of water throughout the day, rather than guzzling a lot at one go.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Water : the most potent fat burner – Part I
The fat-burning cycle begins with hydration. Without proper hydration, the kidneys cannot function at their optimal level. Over 189 liters of blood per day is filtered through a pair of healthy kidneys.
The kidneys depend upon hydration in the form of ingested water to properly execute their functions. When water intake is too low, kidney performance suffers and the liver is taxed to help the waste removal process. Here, it is to be remembered that the liver’s job is only in part waste removal, but its primary job is to metabolize fat.
If the liver is not allowed to do its job of fat metabolization due to dehydration, fat-burning slows down considerably. In some cases it can virtually stop completely, halting any weight loss and damaging both sets of organs in the process.
This entire fat metabolism cycle hinges on hydration. When you consider the fact that you are holding on to excess water right now, it can become a bit confusing. How can you be dehydrated and hold water weight? The biochemical processes behind this are considerably complex, and this is just one example. Another is how drinking water releases stored water and yet manages to hydrate the body at the same time. At a layman’s level, it’s sufficient to know that water is a vital component of fat-burning.
Things become even more complicated when you consider that many fat-burning agents like caffeine are dehydrating agents as well. Coffee dehydrates the body, yet it can also accelerate fat loss, especially when consumed prior to exercise. Therefore, what is required is an increase in water intake for any dehydrating agents consumed.
For example, simply drinking a glass of pure water along with your coffee can offset the dehydration effects while still allowing caffeine to work its magic in the fat-burning process. The more dehydrating agents you consume, greater amounts of water are required.
…to be continued in Part II
The kidneys depend upon hydration in the form of ingested water to properly execute their functions. When water intake is too low, kidney performance suffers and the liver is taxed to help the waste removal process. Here, it is to be remembered that the liver’s job is only in part waste removal, but its primary job is to metabolize fat.
If the liver is not allowed to do its job of fat metabolization due to dehydration, fat-burning slows down considerably. In some cases it can virtually stop completely, halting any weight loss and damaging both sets of organs in the process.
This entire fat metabolism cycle hinges on hydration. When you consider the fact that you are holding on to excess water right now, it can become a bit confusing. How can you be dehydrated and hold water weight? The biochemical processes behind this are considerably complex, and this is just one example. Another is how drinking water releases stored water and yet manages to hydrate the body at the same time. At a layman’s level, it’s sufficient to know that water is a vital component of fat-burning.
Things become even more complicated when you consider that many fat-burning agents like caffeine are dehydrating agents as well. Coffee dehydrates the body, yet it can also accelerate fat loss, especially when consumed prior to exercise. Therefore, what is required is an increase in water intake for any dehydrating agents consumed.
For example, simply drinking a glass of pure water along with your coffee can offset the dehydration effects while still allowing caffeine to work its magic in the fat-burning process. The more dehydrating agents you consume, greater amounts of water are required.
…to be continued in Part II
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