HEALTH / NUTRITION Drinking sufficient quantities of water is a necessity for optimal physical functioning, but it can also play a major role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Chronic fatigue, depression, eczema, rheumatism, gastric disorders, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and urinary infections are but a few of the many disorders that can result from not drinking enough water--and which can be treated by raising our intake of this vital liquid. The physical assaults that our bodies endure from pollution, stress, overly rich and processed foods (often containing too much salt), and alcohol and tobacco have dramatically increased our daily need for water over what our ancestors required. Christopher Vasey explains not only why water is so essential to our health but also what quantities we should drink and when. He also discusses the qualities of different types of water and demonstrates which will best address certain conditions. In addition, he provides ten water cures that will rehydrate the deepest levels of the body, remove toxins, and restore vital minerals. CHRISTOPHER VASEY, N.D., is a naturopath specializing in detoxification and rejuvenation. He is the author of the bestselling The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health. He lives in Switzerland.