Because it is so important to our health that we all avoid dehydration, let me again review the many health benefits of consuming enough fluids every day. Water is the principal fluid in the human body and makes up about 60 percent of the body weight of an adult. Every system in our body needs water to function properly. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to our cells and provides a healthy moist environment for our entire body, including our lungs, muscles, eyes, ears, mouth, throat, digestive system, and nearly all body tissues.

Certainly, a lack of water will lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you feel tired and will leave you more at risk for illness. When a person has an infection or is fighting any illness, it is very important to drink lots of water to help your body’s immune system get rid of the infection and heal your tissues.

So, how much water and fluid does a healthy average adult need on a daily basis? Of course, we all lose water every day through our normal breathing, sweating, physical activity, exercising, passing urine, and having bowel movements. For your body systems to continue to function properly, you must maintain the water supply in your body every day by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water and other fluids. Again, remember that the human body is about 60 percent water.

Unless you are on a fluid restriction from your health care provider, it is recommended that we all drink about 60 ounces of fluid each and every day. Further, please keep in mind that this rule does not mean this fluid intake has to be only water, because other fluids such as juice, coffee, tea, and others count toward the daily total.

Here is my “Super Sixty” rule to get our 60 ounces of fluid every day. I recommend that we all have a 12 ounce glass of water or other fluid with our breakfast, lunch, and at dinner. Then, in between your breakfast and lunch (mid-morning) and in between lunch and dinner (mid-afternoon), have another 12 ounces of fluid. Of course, these five 12-ounce glasses of fluid per day add up to 60 ounces of fluid per day. Also, by not drinking too much fluid after your evening meal, this may reduce the need for you to get up to urinate during your normal sleep time. Further, drinking the 12 ounces of fluid with every meal will help your digestion and can also help you eat less if you wish to maintain or lose weight.

The above Surrell “Super Sixty” rule will generally allow you to meet your daily fluid requirements and you will feel so much better and your body will certainly thank you for maintaining healthy and proper hydration. Try it… you’ll like it!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.