Health and Fitness Information Center

Truth about Body Water Percentage, Part 2

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• Regulating body temperature
• Removing waste from the body
• Carrying nutrients, oxygen, enzymes, hormones and glucose to the cells
• Carrying away toxins and metabolic waste from the cells for elimination
• Cushioning joints and strengthening muscles
• Providing natural moisture to skin and other tissues

You continually lose water during the day through sweat, urine and breathing. The amount of water you lose depends on factors such as physical activity and climatic conditions. Other factors affecting your body water level include illness, medications, hormone changes and poor nutrition.

Thirst is not the best indicator of dehydration, as the thirst mechanism only kicks in when you are already mildly dehydrated. Early symptoms of dehydration may include decreased energy or fatigue, headaches and dizziness.

Other symptoms are:

• Dark colored urine, which may have an odor, and/or infrequent urination
• Dry lips, mouth, skin
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Increased body temperature

Finding the right balance of water intake will ensure your body functions efficiently, will make you feel healthier and more alert and will reduce the risk of serious health problems. Being properly hydrated will also ensure you are performing at your best, allowing you to exercise longer. The new Total Body Water Percentage feature on selected Tanita Body Fat Monitors will help you to remain within the healthy total body water ranges.