by Recently, the author had a revealing experience while attending a pharmacy inauguration in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Invited to speak due to the success of his book sold there, he encountered an audience primarily composed of senior citizens, the pharmacy’s clientele.
This audience, though receptive, displayed a concerning lack of knowledge about fundamental health issues. What was intended as a brief 20-minute talk stretched into an hour, filled with questions revealing widespread confusion on topics crucial for their well-being. The author realized that this ignorance wasn’t just a matter of curiosity; it was potentially life-threatening.
Among the attendees, a significant portion were managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and acid reflux. Of the 15 individuals near the prescription area, over half were diabetic, with others suffering from hypertension and severe acid reflux. These individuals were regularly reliant on medications, yet lacked basic knowledge about managing their health.
One key issue highlighted was the critical role of water. Many didn’t understand how much water they should be drinking. For example, controlling diabetes involves managing blood sugar levels. If a person doesn’t drink enough water, their blood becomes thicker, exacerbating the problem and hindering the body’s ability to eliminate toxins.
A simple calculation can help determine individual water needs: divide your weight in pounds by 16 to find the number of 8-ounce glasses needed daily, or divide your weight in kilograms by 7.
The author found this was a common factor. And also the amount of water that these patients drank, as little as one glass of water per day for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart burn (acid reflux)
The discussion highlighted how adequate water intake can help reduce blood sugar levels and even eliminate acid reflux. Reflux often occurs because the stomach lacks sufficient bicarbonate of soda, which the body produces from water and salt, to protect against stomach acid.
This experience underscored the profound impact of health ignorance. The lack of basic knowledge about essential elements like hydration can significantly worsen health conditions and diminish quality of life.
