Here’s an interesting finding I ran across this morning in Deepak Chopra’s book “Ageless Body, Timeless Mind.”

“…a hidden factor in (aging) could be dehydration which impairs a person’s judgment before he realizes that there is a problem” suggests the author.

“Not drinking enough water every day is one of the commonest conditions in old age, and although it has received almost no publicity, chronic dehydration is a major cause of preventable aging,” he stated.

Some authorities go so far as to count dehydration among the leading causes of death in old age.  When body fluids fall below a certain level, the physiology begins to enter a toxic state; vital electrolyte balance is thrown off and eventually so is the balance of brain chemistry.

The results can be a host of difficulties – anything from kidney failure and heart attack to blackouts, dizziness lethargy, and full blown senile dementia.  As the person becomes less alert and more forgetful about staying hydrated, a vicious cycle is established.

Unfortunately he doesn’t spell out how much is enough.  I don’t know about you, but I’m off to find my BIG SLURPY cup and do some heavy drinking.