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Editor, The Journal of Integrative Medicine
Formerly, Associate Professor of Pathology (adj.), College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Columbia University, NY
Formerly, President of Staff and Chief Pathologist, Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ
Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of England - Diplomate,
American Board of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Diplomate, American Boards of Environmental Medicine
Past President Capital University of Integrative Medicine

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    When injured tissues heal, they heal with nutrients not with drugs. This is self-evident and holds true for all the ecologic disruptions I refer to in this volume.
    I introduce the subjects of optimal hydration and supplemental nutrient and herbal support at the end of this chapter for a specific reason. For many people, popping vitamin and herbal pills seem to be an easy remedy for stress. But it doesn't work that way.

Buckets of water are not sufficient for saving a house on fire. Similarly, a tablet or two of multivitamins and herbal pills cannot extinguish the leaping oxidative flames of a Fourth-of-July chemistry. What is needed is a deep visceral-intuitive stillness that lifts one to higher spiritual states.

    With that cautionary note, I include below brief comments about the optimal state of hydration and lists of vitamins, minerals, essential amino and fatty acids and herbs that I have found to be of special value in the management of chronic stress and anxiety. Again, I prescribe nutrients to prevent metabolic roller coasters that feed other stress responses. I provide detailed information about the mechanisms of action of most of these agents in the companion volumes, The Butterfly and Life Span Nutrition and The Canary and Chronic Fatigue. I refer the professional reader to Nutritional Medicine Part I: Intramuscular and Intravenous Therapies.

STATE OF OPTIMAL HYDRATION

    My patients who lead stressful lives frequently complain that they need to drink large quantities of fluids to take their prescribed nutrients and herbs. I tell them that is good news. If nutrient protocols force them to increase their water intake, so much the better!
    Water is an essential macronutrient. Water is nature's best diuretic. It is the most efficient detoxifying agent in the human metabolism. Water is the simplest solution to acidotic overload in conditions of stress. Water can significantly reduce the stress of allergic and sensitivity reactions. Water is the cheapest diluent for environmental pollutants. Need we search for more reasons to benefit from an ample intake of water—the miracle substance of all life?
    The simplest and most effective practical measure for reducing the excessive acidotic—and oxidative—stress on biology in chronic stress is to dilute and eliminate the acidotic—and oxidative—molecules with increased fluid intake. Parenthetically, one of the fundamental changes of the general aging process is cellular aging. Aged cells are shrunken and dehydrated. Chronic stress is clearly a state of accelerated molecular and cellular aging. A state of overhydration is not only desirable, but necessary. One-third of kidney disease in the United States is considered to be iatrogenic—caused by prescription drugs. Three major culprits are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, antibiotics such as aminoglycosides and contrast media used for scans and x-rays. The simplest safeguard against such kidney damage when taking drugs is optimal hydration.
    I recommend a six-ounce glass of suitable fluid every three hours. Frequent urination is a very small price to pay for upregulated energy enzymes. I refer the reader interested in further information about this critical subject to the companion volume The Butterfly and Life Span Nutrition.

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