Living a long and healthy life drinking water

The secret to living a long and healthy life is drinking water

Worldwide, people are living longer, and researchers are concentrating on developing treatments for the chronic diseases that so frequently afflict the elderly. People age at varying rates, which is well recognised and becomes clear even by midlife. Hence, when implemented early enough, efforts to slow down the rate of ageing may have the impact of prolonging healthy life expectancy and improving quality of life.

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The quantity of water we consume is one component that might have the ability to slow down ageing. According to past studies, mice with limited access to water pass away six months sooner than mice with full access. The dehydrated mice's shorter lifetime was accompanied with deteriorating modifications in a number of organ systems. In mice and humans, hypohydration (not getting enough water) prompts the body to undertake several water-saving strategies, such as creating concentrated urine and secreting hormones to stop water loss. Also, there is a link between it and a rise in blood sodium levels.

A crucial mineral that humans get with meals is sodium.  

It is essential to the body's ability to control fluid balance, maintain healthy neuron and muscle function, and control blood pressure. Between 135 and 146 mmoles per litre of blood is considered acceptable; however, amounts that are too high or too low are unhealthy. When we don't drink enough water, our blood's salt concentration rises; when we do, it falls. Thus, elevated serum sodium levels and dehydration go hand in hand in humans.

The National Institutes of Health-sponsored researchers have now looked into the relationships between various biological ageing markers and blood sodium levels in a sample of 11,255 adults. At five medical visits, the participants provided data on a variety of factors, including their systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. The participants' first two visits happened when they were in their 50s, and their final one was more than 20 years later, when they were between 70 and 90 years old.

Those with high serum sodium levels at the outset of the study and those with underlying disorders, including obesity, that could alter serum sodium levels were both eliminated in order to allow for a fair evaluation of how hydration connected with health outcomes. Also, they took into account variables including age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and hypertension. The 15 biomarkers provided data on each person's renal, immunological, metabolic, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

The analysis's findings, which were reported in the online journal eBioMedicine, revealed that adults with serum sodium levels at the higher end of a normal range were more likely than those with levels in the middle or lower ranges to develop chronic conditions and exhibit signs of advanced biological ageing.  

Individuals with higher levels had an increased risk of passing away earlier in life. This emphasises how crucial it is to be hydrated in order to keep sodium levels in the blood at the lower end of the normal range.

The study builds on earlier work by the researchers, which was published in March 2022 and demonstrated associations between greater normal ranges of serum sodium levels and elevated risks for heart failure. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) project, which included sub-studies involving thousands of Black and white individuals from around the United States, produced these findings in addition to the present ones.

As determined by their metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and inflammation, those with salt levels above 142 mmol/l had a 10-15% higher probability of being biologically older than their chronological age. There was a 50% increase in risk for those with levels above 144 mmol/l. In addition, persons with sodium values between 144.5 and 146 mmol/l had a 21% higher risk of dying before their time compared to those with concentrations between 137 and 142 mmol/l.

The risk of acquiring chronic diseases such heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and dementia rose by up to 64% in persons with blood salt levels above 142 mmol/l. Those with serum sodium levels between 138 and 140 mmol/l, on the other hand, had the lowest chance of contracting a chronic illness.

Although daily fluid intake varies widely, past study has shown that a significant fraction of people around the world do not consume the recommended quantities and are dehydrated. The new study's findings suggest that maintaining appropriate hydration may be able to slow down the ageing process and lessen the likelihood of experiencing major health issues as we age.  

As a result, you'll live longer and be healthier.

Individuals with serum salt levels of 142 mmol/l or greater, according to Dmitrieva, might benefit from having their hydration consumption assessed. According to her, the majority of people may safely increase their fluid consumption to reach suggested levels. 

according to the National Academy of Medicine, most women should drink 6 to 9 cups (1.5 to 2.2 litres) of fluids per day, while males should drink 8 to 12 cups (2–3 liters).

If they have underlying medical issues, some people might need medical advice regarding their water intake. Manfred Boehm, M.D., a research author and director of the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, said that the objective is to make sure patients are consuming adequate fluids while evaluating factors such drugs that may lead to fluid loss. Physicians might also have to respect the patient's ongoing treatment regimen, including restricting fluid intake in the case of heart failure.

Dmitrieva continued, "On a worldwide scale, this can have a significant influence. The data indicate that maintaining good hydration may slow down ageing and prevent or delay chronic disease. Reduced body water content is the most common reason that increases serum sodium.




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