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New study reveals 24-hour water fast is good for your heart

Thinking of trying a detox fast this spring? A new study reported in health and science website Science Daily claims that routine 24-hour water-only fasting is good for your health and your heart.

US research cardiologists found that fasting can lower your risks of developing coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also can improve your blood cholesterol levels. The study also reveals that fasting for 24 hours can bolster a metabolic protein called human growth hormone that protects lean muscles.

Another study reported in American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2007 also found a link between lower rates of heart disease and people who fast one day each month for religious practices.

While some experts agreed that a one-day water fast won't do too much harm, they urge caution when trying a more extended detox plan, such as the Master Cleanse or Lemon Detox Diet, Fat Flush, 21 Pounds in 21 Days, or the Liver Detox Diet.

"Extreme diets generally do little more than cause frustration, are potentially dangerous, and are in general a waste of time and money," Michelle May, MD and author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work, in an interview with health website WebMD. Strict regimens can lead to fluid losses that can upset your electrolyte balance, causing upset stomach, headaches, fatigue, moodiness, and even dehydration.

Experts also say that your body naturally detoxes itself, through your hardworking kidneys and liver, which eliminate toxins. If you’re looking for a safe cleanse or a way to lose weight, load up on healthful all-natural foods, drink lots of filtered water, and avoid excess medications and alcohol.

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It is estimated that currently 4 out of 10 inhabitants on the Earth (2.8 Billions) daily face intractable problems of availability and quality of water, while various effects of climate change reduce the reserves of water resources. Even though, various policies of conserving and improving the quality of water have been adopted, the situation that is recorded, remain bleak, especially in vulnerable areas like the Mediterranean basin.

As for our country, the basic problem with water is the lack of management practices and over consumption which is due to the lack or rational use. It is estimated that the average daily water consumption per person is 1.451 l, when with the use if effective practices and the change of technology in the home the consumption could be reduced to 501 l per person. The major volume of consumption in Greece emanates, of course, from agriculture (accounting for 80% of the total consumption), and their aquifer production. Furthermore, tourism is characterized by unsustainable and improper practices, which already overloads the vulnerable areas such as the islands, which suffer from a limited availability of water resources.

The climate change, therefore, with increasing drought and the pressure on the water resources creates increase challenges for the development and use of alternative resources. The proper use by each and one of us individually, could be a significant investment in the future for the lives of us all. By changing our daily behavior of water use, everyone can help with the daily saving of water. Let us make a difference together!

Each minute counts.

Try to have your shower in less than 5 minutes. Each minute less in the shower means 10 liters saving of water! Furthermore, you can install a shower head with a low flow in your bathtub. Certain of these nozzles reduce the water flow with 50%. When you are washing your hair and apply conditioner, do not forget to close the tap. In this way, you can save 50 gallons per week.

Save water while brushing your teeth

Did you know, that leaving the water running while brushing your teeth, you are spending six liters per minute? So, let’s close the tap at the time of brushing. Not only will you save precious water, but you will also improve your oral hygiene. According to the experts, when closing the tap, we give more time to the brushing of our teeth. This is a simple way to save 24 liters per day!

Use your dishwasher in a smart way

Do not use the dishwasher, unless it is completely full. With the correct way, we can save up to five liters of water daily! If you do not have a dishwasher, leave the pots to soak instead of rubbing under running water.

Place a brick

Place a brick inside the toilet cistern. In that way, the water level will rise higher with much less water. Furthermore, be sure that the float hood does not stick in the cistern. Otherwise, the water will run for longer than necessary. Put a small amount of food coloring in the toilet cistern. If within 30 minutes there is color in the toilet basin, then there is a leak.

Adjust leaking faucets

Tighten and then adjust leaking faucets in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the garden or elsewhere - a simple move that can save up to 75 liters per day. Furthermore, install a device that reduces the amount of water passing through on each faucet, in that way, the same water pressure will be maintained, but the water consumption will be less.

Recycle

Recycle the cans from soft drinks. Recycling requires only 3% of the water that was needed to produce them.

Finer grass

Water the lawn in the morning: less evaporation – a more beautiful lawn. However, make sure that the watering is aiming only on the plants and not on the concrete. When it’s windy, the lawn should not be irrigated! Furthermore, do nοt mow the lawn too short. More shade + better roots = less water. Do not plant the grass on ascending ground. The largest quantity of water will be swept away instead of irrigating the lawn.

Daily habits

While washing your hands, close the tap. Save as much water as possible. Put the plug on the bathtub before opening the tap and adjust the temperature while filling it (up to the middle at the most). Shave with water inside the sink. Save up to 100 gallons per week.

Front loading washing machines

If you cannot afford to buy one, then wash your clothes only when the tub is completely full. If this is impossible, then adjust the proper water level. Furthermore, hang the clothes in order to dry. That way you will consume less electric energy and the air will be moistened naturally.

Beware of leaking taps

Stop the leaking of your tap and save up to 140 gallons per week. Close the water from the master switch and read the measurement. After one hour, check again if this has changed. If yes, call the plumber – you have got a leakage. Find out where the master switch of the water is: if a pipe breaks you will be able to react immediately and save large quantities of water!

Pets

Are you changing the water in the fish bowl? Water a plant with it, the fish seem to like that water particularly. Use smaller bowls for your pets. Give less quantity of water to your pets, several times a day. Bathe your dog in the garden, that way the water will be exploited for two things simultaneously.

Use a bucket for washing.

If you have to wash your car, use a bucket instead of letting the water run from the hose or go to a car wash. Furthermore, sweep your yard in order to clean it and by doing that you can save approximately 80 gallons of water.

Food

Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than under running water. Rinse fruits and vegetables in a basin or in the sink rather than under running water.

General information

Fountains and other decorative elements with water are wasting water through evaporation. Furthermore, do not keep toys that use running water. Change the filter in your air-conditioner each month, that way the evaporator is kept in a good working condition.

We hope that our advice was useful to you! Save water!

We often hear that water is essential for losing weight. What is the actual role of the water that helps with losing weight?

WATER CONTRIBUTES TO WEIGHT LOSS:

• Because it transports the nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.
• Because it helps with the expulsion of toxins and of useless substances from the body.
• Because it regulates the body temperature.
• Because it is essential for the natural digestion process.

So, if you let yourself dehydrate, your metabolism will malfunction – and this also means that the weight loss will be delayed.

In a research that was carried through at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute of California with overweight dieting women, showed that: overweight women who consumed more water than those who consumed other liquids, lost more weight and fat, regardless of the diet and the exercise.

Also, fibers help with the good function of the intestines, only combined with water. More specifically, fibers cannot swell, unless there is enough water, in that situation the fibers will harden and remain in the intestine, resulting in constipation.

It is well known that, cellulites decrease significantly when fat is reduced, when toxins are eliminated and correct circulation. Water carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells and helps with the expulsion of the toxins from the body, resulting in a healthy and shiny skin.

WATER HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS BECAUSE:

• IT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROPER METABOLISM FUNCTION.
• IT IS REFRESHING AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY CALORIES.
• IT HELPS WITH CONFRONTATION OF CONSTIPATION IN COMBINATION WITH FIBRES.
• IT HELPS WITH CELLULITE REDUCTION.

TO LOSE WEIGHT:

• Try to drink a glass of water before each snack or dinner.
• Instead of diet refreshments, consume water.
• Keep exercising regularly and drink more water during the exercise.
• Include foods with high content in water, such as vegetables, in your diet.

Rania- Argyri Tzanakaki B.S., M.ed. Dietician- Nutritionist

Sport Psychology Consultant - Psychological Diet Support

Kinesiologist – Professor of Health and Physical Education

We are aware of that water has a number of beneficial qualities for the body.

All our organs, including the brain, need water to function properly. More specifically, 85% of the human brain consists of water.

In order to meet our daily needs, we should consume at least eight glasses of water.

People that work, often say that due to the work and the stress, they “forget” or “do not have time to drink water”. As a result, this leads to more stress in their body, but also decreases their performance.

More specifically: when we stress – it causes dehydration, because the pulse is increasing, we breathe more heavily and sweat more, and therefore, lose more of our body fluid. The dehydration causes headache, nausea, fatigue, tachycardia, reduction of the attention and concentration level and lack of conscience.

Our performance drops when the intake of fluid is very low. Studies have shown that a fluid loss equal to 2% of our body weight is enough to start reducing our efficiency and endurance.

Finally there is a vicious circle where stress causes dehydration and the dehydration causes stress.

When we do not consume enough water, this leads to dehydration, which causes stress in the body and the brain. According to studies, when the brain is dehydrated, more cortisol is released, which is one of the stress hormones. Only when we are properly hydrated, the cortisol levels remain low.

The best way to tackle stress at work is to try to consume eight glasses of water while in the office.

So, the next time that you feel stressed, do something simple…

Go to the water cooler and drink a glass of water!

IN ORDER TO FEEL THE WELL-BEING AND TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AT THE OFFICE:

• Follow a balanced diet and drink a glass of water before each dinner or snack.
• Try to drink enough water when you are at work.
• Exercise regularly and drink more water during the exercise.
• Use relaxation and breathing techniques.

Rania- Argyri Tzanakaki B.S., M.ed. Dietician- Nutritionist

Sport Psychology Consultant - Psychological Diet Support

Due to the rapid population growth on earth, the mass consumption, the overuse of the natural assets and the water pollution, the availability of potable water is not enough to cover the needs of the modern time and is constantly reduced. Due to this, the water is a strategically important commodity all over the world and is the reason for many political controversies. Many people have foreseen that clean water will be the petroleum of the future, rendering Canada with the surplus water reserves the richest country on the planet.

According to an investigation by UNESCO that was materialized in 2003 regarding the world’s water reserves, in the next 20 years, the water quantity that is analogous to each human being is forecasted to be reduced up to 30%. 40% of all people living on earth does not have enough water even for the most substandard hygiene. More than 2,2 million people died in 2000 from diseases that are connected with polluted water or with drought. In 2004, in an investigation by the voluntary organization Water Aid, it is reported that in the Great Britain one child dies every 15 seconds from diseases connected to water.

Potable water – now more precious than ever in history due to its intense use in agriculture, in modern industry and in the energy production – requires better administration and reasonable use if we do not want to live more tragic situations in the future.

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