1. WATER IN RELATION TO HUMAN HEALTH
Prof. Dr. Faqir Muhammad Anjum (TI)
Director General
National Institute of Food Science & Technology
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

2. Water in life 2/3 of body cells contain water
Water plays pivotal role in:
Body functions and
Biochemical reactions
Used as building material in every cell
Involved in mechanisms for controlling and maintaining normal body temperature
Acts as a medium for carrying:
nutrients to cells
wastes out of cells

3. Organisms usually contain 60% to 90% water
Water In Life
Organisms usually contain 60% to 90% water
Lowest- Plant Seed (20%)
Highest- Jellyfish (99%)
Water helps all organisms in metabolism and plants in photosynthesis and support
20% Water
99% Water

4. Human body water composition

5. Water in Human Body
Babies and kids have more water (%) than adults
70-80% water during birth, drops to 65% after 1 year
Obese people have less water (%) than skinny
Muscle is 75% water
Fat is 20% water
For this reason, older people (who generally have a higher fat % have less water than younger
Women have less water (%) than men due to naturally higher fat content

6. Human Body Water Composition By Organ/Tissue

7. Human Water Balance
Water input, mL/day
Water output, mL/day
Drinks
1500
Urine
Food
700
Sweat
500
Metabolic water
300
Respiration
400
Feces
100

8. Water : Recommended Daily Amount (litres/day)
Children –
Men – 3.7
Women – 2.7
Pregnant women – 3.0
Lactating women – 3.8

9. Functions of Water in Human Body
Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
Regulates body temperature
Detoxifies
Moisturizes the air in lungs
Helps with metabolism
Protects vital organ
Helps organs to absorb nutrients
Protects and moisturizes our joints

10. Fitness and Fat Loss Water important for fitness and fat loss due to:
Fills up stomach/ satiety without adding any calories
Dehydration degrades a person’s ability to exercise and burn calories
Dehydration reduces protein synthesis required for building and/or repair muscles

11. Water As A Solvent
Water contains 1 oxygen atom and 2 hydrogen atoms which are covalently bonded
Water molecule is polar, because electrons are not equally shared
Because water molecule is polar, it can ionize substances easily, making it a good solvent
Water known as ‘The Universal Solvent’

12. Water As A Way of Transport
Water is a carrier, distributing essential nutrients to cells, such as minerals, vitamins and glucose
Many different substances, such as blood and sap, are transported by water
Sap and blood contain high amounts of water making them good solvents
Being good solvents allows them to dissolve the substances they are transporting
Tree Sap
Human Blood Cells

13. Water As A Reactant
Water, being a good solvent, allows many reactions to occur
Used in photosynthesis to make NADPH2, and ultimately sugar
These reactions release oxygen, which is vital to human life
Without water in photosynthesis, organisms unable to obtain energy, and life would be impossible

14. Water As A Lubricant Water is an effective lubricant around joints
It also acts as a shock absorber for eyes, brain, spinal cord and even for the foetus through amniotic fluid
When bones meet at a joint, a fluid between the bones is required to prevent scraping against each other
That fluid is called a synovial fluid, which is made mainly of water
Many internal organs have fluid around them to keep them protected, e.g.,
Brain: Cerebro-spinal fluid
Lungs: Pleural Fluid
Eyes: Mix of fluids
Synovial Fluid

15. Hydrolysis/ Energy Release
Water is needed to separate (by a process called hydrolysis) a phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to get energy
Without water hydrolysis is not possible
ATP +H2O = Energy + ADP + Inorganic Phosphate
GTP +H2O = Energy + GDP + Inorganic Phosphate

16. Regulation of Body Temperature
Water has a large heat capacity which helps limit changes in body temperature in a warm or a cold environment
Water allows the body to release heat when ambient temperature is higher than body temperature
The body begins to sweat, and the evaporation of water from the skin surface very efficiently cools the body

17. Regulation of Body Temperature

18. Metabolism
Water is the engine of metabolism
Participates in the biochemical break-down of what we eat

19. Waste Removal
Water removes waste products including toxins that the organs’ cells reject, and removes them through urines and faeces

20. Treatment of Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
Polycystic kidney disease - Genetic disease that occurs in 1 among 500 individuals and leads to kidney failure in about half of affected individuals
PKD-affected kidney cells divide and multiply inappropriately, and form fluid-filled sacs called cysts
Kidney cysts continue to grow throughout life, destroying normal kidney tissue, leading to kidney failure
Drinking high amounts of water can slow the abnormal cysts growth

21. Water Quality
All people, irrespective of their stage of development and social and economic condition, have the right to access to safe drinking water in quantities and of a quality equal to their basic needs
WHO recognizes that access to adequate water supplies is a fundamental human right
Water-related diseases are a human tragedy, killing millions of people each year (account for 80% of all deaths in developing countries)

22. Chemical contamination in Water and Human Health
Common chemical contaminants include:
Nitrates
Arsenic
Fluoride
Prevalence of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water is known to cause cancer of lungs, bladder, still births, post neonatal mortality, Ischemic heart diseases (heart attack), diabetes mellitus etc.

23. Nitrates
Bacteria in drinking water in the human body can transform nitrates/ nitrites into nitrosamines, a compound formed by the reaction between nitrite and secondary amines
Blue-baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia) is caused by exposure to elevated levels of nitrite in infants less than 6 months old
Blood’s ability to carry oxygen is affected
result in a bluish color in the infant’s skin

24. Arsenic
Various studies have been conducted in arsenic affected countries - notably Argentina, Chile, China, Japan, and Taiwan - to find the potential of arsenic exposure to cause development of cancer
Continuous arsenic exposure can lead people to develop arsenicosis, which in turn elevates the risk of cancer

25. Arsenic
Arsenic ingestion increases risk of lungs and kidney cancer
Skin lesions are the most common manifestations in arsenicosis patients

26. Fluoride
Fluorosis - Ingestion of excess fluoride, most commonly in drinking-water affects:
Teeth
Bones
Moderate amounts lead to dental effects
Moderate-level chronic exposure (above 1.5 mg/L of water - the WHO guideline value for fluoride in water) is more common
Long-term ingestion of large amounts can lead to severe skeletal problems
Fluorides lower the intelligence capacity of humans
Children are more susceptible to fluoride toxicity

27. Safe levels of chemical contaminants in drinking water
Parameter
BIS Guideline value (maximum)
General & health effects pH
Affects mucous membrane, corrosion
Nitrate
100mg/ L
Blue baby disease
Fluoride
1.5mg/L
Dental and skeletal fluorosis
Arsenic
0.05mg/L
Carcinogenic
Lead
Damage kidney
Pesticide
0.001mg/L
Affects central nervous system

28. Pharmaceuticals and Water Quality

29. Water and Sanitation-related Diseases
Group Diseases
Water-borne diseases
(diseases transmitted by water)
Cholera; Typhoid; Bacillary dysentery Infectious hepatitis;
Giardiasis
Water-washed diseases
(caused by lack of water)
Scabies; Skin sepsis and ulcers; Yaws; Leprosy; Lice and thypus; Trachoma; Dysenteries; Ascariasis;
Parathphoid
Water based diseases
Schistomiasis; Dracunuliasis;
Bilharziosis; Filariasis; Threadworm
Water-related insect vector
diseases
Yellow fever, Dengue fever, Bancroftian filariasis, Malaria
Onchocerciasis

30. Water-borne Diseases
As per USAID report, an estimated 250,000 child deaths occur each year in Pakistan due to water-borne disease
A study conducted by UNICEF found that 20-40% of the hospital beds in Pakistan are occupied by patients suffering from water-related diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis, which are responsible for one third of all deaths
(Pak-SCEA 2006)

31. Microbial Quality Standards for Drinking Water
Water containing maximum 100 bacteria and no single coliform, considered safe for drinking
Microbiological standards applied to determine safety of water
Drinking water must meet defined standards otherwise poor quality water hazardous to health
Hence, improvement in drinking water quality results in substantial reduction in disease prevalence

32. Water Deficiency / Dehydration
Being 2% dehydrated can seriously degrade physical and mental functions
Being 15% dehydrated is likely to be lethal

33. Water deficiency: symptoms

34. Diseases caused by dehydration over a long period of time
Symptoms of mild health problems
Digestive problems - constipation, bad breath, acnes
Skin disorders - dryness, dull-looking, sensitive
Others - fatigue and lower concentration level
Symptoms of more severe health problems
Prolonged dehydration could contribute to arthritis, migraine and the malfunctioning of the digestive system
Insufficient water intake results in inefficient toxin removal, which may induce high uric acid; diabetes; liver, kidney and heart diseases; high blood pressure and even intestinal cancer
It may accelerate aging in the long run

35. Signs of Dehydration Allergies Asthma Arthritis
High cholesterol/ heart problems
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Peptic Ulcers
Angina
Migraines
Obesity and weight control problems
Water retention
Chronic back pain

36. Effects of Water Deficiency
Low blood pressure
Clotting of blood
Kidney malfunction
Severe constipation 

37. Hyperhydration- water intoxication
When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell
Cells try to maintain concentration gradient
Excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws out sodium from within the cells into serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration
Kidneys can tolerate about 17 litres water in a day
Excessive ingestion of water and other liquids resulted in extra work for the body
Signs of water intoxication:
Hyponatriemya - decreased amount of natrium in blood)
Rubdomiolysis - damage of muscularity (collapse of skeleton) , acute incompetence of kidneys

38. Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia, a metabolic condition in which there is not enough sodium in body fluids outside the cells
It is most common electrolyte disorder in the U. S.
In hyponatremia, the imbalance of water to salt is caused by one of three conditions:
Euvolemic hyponatremia- total body water increases, but the body's sodium content stays the same
Hypervolemic hyponatremia- both sodium and water content in the body increase, but the water gain is greater
Hypovolemic hyponatremia- water and sodium are both lost from the body, but the sodium loss is greater

39. Rhabdomyolysis
Breakdown of muscle fibers result in the release myoglobin into the bloodstream
Some of these are harmful to kidneys and frequently result in kidney damage
Rhabdomyolysis affects about one out of 10,000 people in the United States, with slighter higher incidence in men
Rhabdomyolysis accounts for an estimated eight to fifteen percent of cases of acute renal failure
About five percent of rhabdomyolysis cases result in death
There are two crucial factors involved in the development of myoglobinuric ARF (acute renal failure):
Hypo-volemia/dehydration
Aciduria

40. Situation of Drinking Water in Pakistan
Water and sanitation are ignored sector sin Pakistan
Majority of Pakistani people do not have access to safe drinking water and lack satisfactory sanitation systems
In 2005, approximately 38.5 million people did not have access to safe drinking water and approximately 50.7 million people lacked access to improved sanitation facilities in Pakistan
With the same trend, by 2015, 52.8 million people will be deprived of safe drinking water and 43.2 million people will be lacking adequate sanitation facilities in Pakistan
Khan and Javed (2007)

41. Situation of Drinking Water in Pakistan
Hence quality of drinking water in Pakistan far from being satisfactory
Rivers and sub-soil water contaminated due to disposal of untreated domestic and industrial fluid wastes
Contamination starts right in the mountains
Tourists to the hill stations contribute to garbage
Shandur Festival, at 12,520 ft. altitude gathers almost 20,000 people
Produce around 5,000 kg garbage – pollutes glaciers, lakes and rivers
Causes toxicity in residents using it

42. Situation of Drinking Water in Pakistan
Tourist points like Murree become heavily polluted contributed by tourists
Naturally garbage produced finds its way into water channels that supply drinking water to downstream areas
Survey conducted by NIH, Islamabad - upward trend in nitrate contents in drinking water of Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Bacteriological examination shows 94% water samples unsuitable for human consumption
Situation alarming because samples taken from posh F-11, G-7, G-9, G-11, and Airport areas in Islamabad
If this quality of water in model and modern city, imagine situation in other cities

43. Situation of Drinking Water in Pakistan
SOME NEWSPAPER REPORTS
Residents of some villages on banks of River Chenab near Chiniot reported to suffer from stomach diseases due to poor quality drinking water
Reports appeared a few years back from Manga Mandi near Lahore
residents suffered from bone deformations
Unsafe drinking water reports from Sheikhupura, Lahore, Toba Tek Singh, Qsur, Hyderabad, Peshawar and other cities
In Karachi, people sell dirty water after recycling
Increased risk of kidney, stomach and skin diseases
Seashores exposed to oil contamination because of ship breaking in Gadani and leakage from oil tankers

44. Situation of Drinking Water in Pakistan
Oil drained into water damages marine life and pollutes environment
It finds its way into drinking water in Karachi
residents develop diseases and allergies
Practically no organized solid disposal system in any city in Pakistan
Solid waste dumped in some open places and then burnt
Gives rise to numerous chemicals including dioxin - highly toxic man-made organic chemical

45. Bacterial Contamination in Water
Campylobacter: diarrhoea
E. coli: Bloody diarrhoea, mild fever, anaemia
Pseudomonas: dermatitis and infections in urinary tract, respiratory system, soft tissues, bones, joints, gastrointestinal tract
Shigella: gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery
Salmonella: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache
Vibrio cholerae: abdominal pains, mild fever, chills, and headache, watery diarrhoea followed by lethargy and dehydration.

46. Viruses Contamination in Water
Noroviruses - Group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis, inflammation of lining of stomach and intestines
Hepatitis A – Results in inflammation of liver
Sources of infection:
an infected person who didn’t wash his or her hands after using washroom
drinking untreated water or
eating food washed in untreated water
Rotavirus: Very common cause of severe diarrhoea among infants and children

47. Take Home Message Drink ample quantity of GOOD QUALITY water:
Helps in digestion and avoid constipation
Relieves fatigue
Less cramps and sprains
Good mood
Natural remedy for headache
Look younger with healthier skin
Lose weight
Better productivity at work
Less likely to get sick and feel healthy
Reduce risks of kidney failure