— Health from a biblical perspective —

Dear health-minded Reader,

What could be simpler and less apt to mis-construction than the almost trite counsel, “drink 6-8 glasses of water a day”?  In addition to its straightforwardness, it would seem adequate and easy enough for anyone with the cerebral capacity of a pizza to follow.  But, what’s sorely lacking is its 4th dimension: timing.  When to drink is vitally important.  As an example, did you realize it’s advisable to drink prior to showering?  Further, the “6-8” glass advice misleadingly suggests a one-size-fits-all regimen.  Not true.  Do you know just how much you should drink?

We pray this article will help you understand and properly apply the principles of bio-hydration.  Without exaggeration, this can revolutionize your health and that of your family.  Do study the resources at its foot.

Hydrating The Body

Prunes Into Plums

The vast majority of all Americans, children included, are dehydrated, and for three primary reasons:

Causes of dehydration

(1) Confusing the body’s thirst signals for hunger — then eating instead of drinking.
(2) Drinking the wrong fluids and not enough water.
(3) Not drinking water at the most advantageous times.

In case you’ve not read the preceding articles in this series, I’ll begin with a quick review, then offer a bio-hydration protocol by the famed water researcher, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.; the regimen that has hugely benefitted the two of us.

(1) Confusing the body’s varied thirst signals for hunger, then eating instead of drinking water.  It’s no secret that as we age, we lose some of our sensual acuity, be it eyesight, smell, touch, or in this context, our thirst perception. In fact, by the time most reach the age of 60, that particular sensation is largely lost or habitually mis-read as hunger.

(2) Drinking too many of the wrong fluids and not enough water.  There exists a pervasive and erroneous idea (due in no small part to the soft-drink industry and professionally dispensed mis-information) that any water-based fluid will satisfy the body’s water needs.  Not true.

Water-based beverages containing caffeine or alcohol are diuretics that flush from the body, all of their water ... plus more.  Other beverages do not effectively contribute to hydrating the body because their water is encumbered by the drink’s solutes.  Pain-free robust health requires an ample supply of pure, unbound water for the body to handle its many metabolic functions; water that’s not part of a solution.

(3) Not drinking water at the most health-advantageous times.  Many, if not most, otherwise conscientious water-imbibers, miss this vital aspect of bio-hydration.  Timing is critical; here’s why.

Drinking before eating

... when the stomach should be empty, is very important because the digestive process requires a great deal of water and energy.  Pre-meal water quickly passes through an empty stomach and into the intestines.  Once there, it hydrates the tissues of its walls in preparation to receive food.  If this is neglected, incoming food will cause further dehydration of those tissues.  Additionally, some of that water is quickly returned to  the stomach to irrigate and “plump up” its lining for better protection against the strong acid soon to be injected.

There’s yet another reason for assuring your body has enough water prior to meals: to alkalize the food after the stomach finishes reducing it to an acidic slurry (chyme).  Before the exit valve (pyloric) will open to dump chyme into the upper small intestine (duodenum) the pancreas must first produce and inject into it, a bicarbonate solution to neutralize chyme and protect the intestine.  This requires “free” water; not coffee, soda or slurppies.  Chronic dehydration here leads to secondary and more serious symptoms of thirst: acid reflux, duodenal ulcers, etc.  Pre-meal water will also reduce the amount of food we eat and help re-train us to think of drinking before we consider reaching for food.

Drinking water a time after eating

... is also important, when the stomach is again empty (or nearly so) and the heavy energy load of digestion has eased.  That provides the body with  the pure water needed by cells to convert nutrients (and the water itself) into ATP and GTP energy.

Drinking water prior to bedtime

... provides the body with fluid needed for cleansing and healing during that part of its daily metabolic cycle while the body is at rest; it also helps one  sleep better.  Contrary to the obvious concern of having to get up more at night, after the body becomes more hydrated, many actually sleep deeper and longer without bladder-prompted interruptions.

Drinking upon arising flushes the night’s catabolic (waste) debris from the digestive tract and “kick-starts” its rhythmic peristalsis (a BM usually soon follows).  Water also helps alkalize the body and provides it with healthy GTP energy — plus “adrenergic” energy derived from its stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.  In fact, regularly drinking a pint of water upon arising then taking a 1-hour walk, is a certain and healthful weight-loss regimen.

Hydration protocol

Dividing your weight by two will tell you how many ounces of water your body nominally needs each day.  Example: 128 lbs/2 = 64 oz/8 oz = 8 (8 oz) glasses.  Obviously, this figure will need to be adjusted upward during periods of vigorous work, exercise or high heat.  Here’s the timing schedule deriving from Dr. Batmanghelidj’s decades of research and clinical experience:

• 8 oz 1/2 hour before eating
• 8 oz 2-1/2 hrs after a meal
• 16 oz upon arising
• 8 oz prior to retiring

The timing is crucial to good health, but notice that it adds up to only 6 glasses.  These are the minimum amounts to be drunk at those times and can be increased.  Dr. “B” also emphasizes that one should drink at any time there is a thirst urge, even during meals.  Moreover, this schedule can be supplemented by sipping throughout the day.  We are also cautioned to not “drown” our bodies in an attempt to make up for years of dehydration; consider what happens when too much rain falls at once.  It causes more damage than it does good.  It will take time to rehydrate your body; weeks or even months, depending on its drought severity, your age, conscientiousness, etc.

Water Cleanses

This is the most powerful, natural and inexpensive “cleansing” regimen one could undertake.  Pure water picks up and removes toxic debris that’s accumulated in the blood, tissues and cells, processing most of it out through the kidneys.  It’s this metabolic debris that gives unhealthy urine its yellow to orange color.  As rehydration progresses, it will return to a healthy, colorless and odorless fluid.

Salt & Supplements

Rehydration therapy will also flush salt and minerals out of the system. This is especially true if your diet does not include a large amount of raw produce and/or if you drink distilled or R/O water.  One-half tsp/day of salt should be added, with sea salt, sea greens and organic celery good sodium sources.  A vitamin-mineral supplement is also recommended as insurance against a dietary shortfall.

Doctor “B” warns: “Strict attention to daily salt intake is vital for prevention of heart damage that can be caused by continuous stimulation of the sympathetic nerve system when only water is taken.”  He also notes, ”If someone over hydrates and forces salt out of the body without replacing it, the brain cells will gradually swell up and the person could suffer brain damage; even die.  This happens from time to time if people exercise regularly, sweat profusely and lose salt, then keep on drinking only water without replacing the lost salt.  Salt is not bad for you; it is vital ... especially for those with asthma, allergies and autoimmune disease.  It does not raise blood pressure.  It is the insufficiency of other minerals that normally hold on to and keep water inside the cells that causes a rise in blood pressure.  Used in conjunction with other minerals, salt will actually lower blood pressure to normal levels.”

Water is one of nature’s most powerful anti-histamines, elixirs, tonics and medicines.  The body requires a properly-timed, daily replenishment of this second most vital element, to sustain life and good health.

— Resources —

Your Body's Many Cries For Water, by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. — http://www.watercure.com
Water: •For Health •For Healing •For Life, by      “               “                             "
ABC of Asthma, Allergies & Lupus, by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.                         "

      — Related Articles —

Water & Wrinkles — Wither thou goest?
Water & Weight — Drink pounds away!
More About Water — Is it safe to drink?    
Dehydration — What? & Why?
Water Breakthrough — Two monumental discoveries.    

— From Our Readers —

Thank you for all you have sent.  I loved the teaching on need for water; my husband also read and liked it. — Dillsboro, IN

We’ve bought a juicer and have been trying different vegetable and fruit combinations.  They’re delicious! — White, SD

Dear White, you’ve made a wise decision.  The rule of thumb is, “juice vegetables, but eat fruit.”  By eating the whole fruit, its pulp helps slow down glucose absorption and keeps the blood sugar at a more even keel.  — ed.

Bless you both!  I needed your articles on water (as did many others).   — Gilbert, AZ

We are very appreciative of your article on water; it was great, as all your articles are.  I’ve been advised to treat a gum infection with “food grade” hydrogen peroxide but have not been able to buy it anywhere.  Suggestions? — Tallahassee, FL

U.S.D.A. Food grade hydrogen peroxide has a host of health benefits: we add it to drinking water to help oxygenate our blood; to bath water for skin conditions, for oxygenation and a relaxant; to sanitize produce, etc.  A 2% solution is excellent for periodontal health; it also whitens teeth and keeps the brush sanitary.  It is NOT advisable to use the readily available “3% U.S.P” (pharmaceutical grade) for these because of toxic stabilizers.

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is not generally available at retail.  For our own use, we buy a dangerous-to-handle 35% concentrate from the manufacturer ($16.75/pt & $24/qt).  We then precisely dilute it, and for some applications, add other ingredients.   — ed.

Disclaimer: The Hallelujah Health NEWS newsletter emphasizes nutrition-related health issues, to educate, encourage and provide lifestyle information.  There is no intent to diagnose, treat, prescribe for, cure or prevent disease.  The author or publisher assumes no responsibility for the use or effects of said information.  Hallelujah Health NEWS is a free public educational service, solely to promote a healthier lifestyle.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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