The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Mom23]

I try to drink a minimum of 80 oz. per day. I have always been a water drinker, so this really isn't too difficult for me.

However, I see where some people are drinking an excess of 100 oz. of water. I have heard that people can drink too much water... how much is too much and what exactly should we be drinking?

Wouldn't drinking too much water flush too many nutrients out of our system? -- nutrients that we need for normal cell growth/replacement and organ function...

I guess my question(s)is/are: when I see that people are drinking over 100 oz. of water, am I right to feel as if I'm doing something wrong because I'm not? Will I lose weight faster with more water than 80oz.?
How much water is too much?

[Pashta]

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.

What Happens During Water Intoxication?

When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting.

From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.

It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!

The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.

[falisamarie]

What my Dr recommended to me was to cut my weight in half and drink that many ounces each day. I do drink more than most but I have a problem retaining fluid so I usually get in 160oz a day and I so space it out and drink two 20oz bottles between my meals. I would think that to get water intoxication you would have to be drinking a ton of water. I asked my Dr about it and he said I was just fine with my 160oz a day. I do see that when people are not losing quickly that they sometimes up their water intake and this does seem to boost weight loss in some.

Hope this helps

Lisa

[FORMOMMY]

Wow Lisa!!!! I thought I was doing alot with 132 ounces a day! Do you have a TV or a good supply of books in your bathroom!!!

I have a worn path from my office to the bathroom at work. I actually wear more pants than skirts/dresses now because it is easier - pantyhose just slow me down people!!!! hee hee.....

[falisamarie]

No TV or books but am seriously considering moving my computer in there

Funny thing is before starting this you would never catch me slurping any water at all and now it is all I drink except for a CF Diet Coke every 5days or so (and today is that day) but I only can have it if I have 120oz of water down before dinner

Lisa

[FORMOMMY]

That shows your determination for sure. I have a can of CF Diet Coke a day (at night with my L&G). I usually have all my water in by the time I get home (6-7p).

I've always drank a lot of water - but I have stepped it up a bit since I started this program. I always feel so much better the more water that I have.

Here's to a clear path to the bathroom and easy off sweatpants!

[2getskinny]

WOW and I thought I was drinkin alot of water at 120oz. WOW! You got me beat! LOL! And I pee enough with what I drink.