H20 101: Chem Cocktail
You wake up parched per usual...Go to the sink and pour yourself a tall glass of what looks like your everyday H20. What you don't see are the 300+ toxins floating around in a little chem-cocktail ready to wreck havok on your bod!
Have you ever wondered what water is, where it comes from and why it is so crucial to our survival? Are you aware that your body and brain are mostly water. If we are made primarily of water, then wouldn't it stand to reason that our top health priority should be learning everything that we can about this substance and how to find the best possible source?
When it comes to the water that we drink and bathe in, there are thousands of choices and most of them come with considerable health risks. Tap water is subject to endless sources of toxic contamination, despite the various forms of filtration available, and much of the bottled water comes with challenges of its own. Finding the healthiest, most nutrient dense food is incredibly important, but finding the best water options is arguably more crucial to your health because chemicals and toxins are more easily absorbed in your body from water than from food!
Unfortunately, water quality issues are not a recent development. Industrial dumping, pesticide runoff, leaky storage tanks, and government mandates have created big problems. Let's take a look at some the biggest chemical culprits and their effect on our everyday functioning.
Pharmaceutical Drugs:
Hormonal Birth Controls, Opiates, antibiotics and anything else that we ingest moves through our bodies and goes directly into the water supply via your bodily excretions. Sure it may only be traces of these drugs that remains in the water, but nonetheless you are getting a serious dose of unwanted pharmaceuticals overtime. This can lead to a number of lingering health issues if not managed appropriately.
Pesticides and Herbicides:
Ground water is often polluted by poorly managed fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and pesticides. These poisons can easily seep into well water aquifers and municipal water reserves. Exposure has been linked to chronic illness, birth defects and immune system failure.
Nitrates:
These hazardous chemicals come from fertilizer runoff, leaking septic tanks, sewage and erosion of natural deposits. Nitrates are converted to nitrites in the body. High levels of nitrites have been shown to be deadly to infants under the age of 6 months, and to cause serious health risks in others.
Hardness:
Hard water is the result of calcium and magnesium present in the water. These minerals form white scale buildup creating problems for water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and plumbing systems. This condition creates a lack of lather when using soap and can contribute to dingy laundry.
Fluoride:
Fluoride, known as “The Devils Poison”, has been shown to be less than effective in preventing tooth decay, while possibly contributing to a whole host of health concerns.
Flouride is a waste by-product from the production and manufacturing of Aluminum goods + weaponry. It ended up in our water supply when the higher ups realized that they could make a little loot on what would otherwise be toxic waste. The slow calcification of our Pineal gland, making us more apt to acquiesce was just an added benefit for their devious monetary ploys.
Gasoline:
Easily absorbed into the soil, even a small gas spill or leakage can contaminate ground water sources. Considered a hazardous waste material, consumption has significant adverse effects on the central nervous system.
Bacteria:
Nasty pathogens from human waste and soil runoff frequently contaminate well and city water, posing a risk for serious illness upon exposure. City water is commonly derived from treated sewage.
Chlorine:
This free radical disinfectant can quickly damage our hair, skin, and lungs when we bathe or shower. It has also been shown to cause gastric upset upon ingestion and has been linked to malfunction of the liver and immune system with long-term exposure.
Chloramines:
Now being added to nearly all municipal water districts, they are formed by the combination of chlorine and ammonia. Chloramines are so strong that they tend to dissolve the inside of your pipes and fixtures, releasing contaminants and heavy metals into the water. Chloramines have been linked to anemia, liver, kidney and central nervous system problems, as well as reproduction effects.
Arsenic:
This odorless and tasteless semi-metal element enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits, as well as agricultural and industrial wastes. Human exposure to arsenic can cause both short and long term health effects, including cancer
(SOURCE)
Keep in mind that in major cities the municipal water is recycled, so just imagine that anything and everything that people aimlessly flush down the toilet or drain ends up back in the water supply! Yes, it has been sanitized with more chemicals to disinfect it, but much of the residue from all of that "waste" remains in the water you are brushing your teeth with, bathing yourself with or worse...drinking!
Maybe you only drink "filtered water" or bottled water... Well, unfortunately many of the most poisonous compounds found in water are tough to get out through filtration and many of the bottled spring water is just overpriced tap water, not to mention the limitations of sustainability and adverse environmental impact.
Having second thoughts on that H20 cocktail yet?
If you are reading this holding your chin so your jaw doesn't drop to the floor, I see you!
Fear not, my dears. There are ways around this chaos. Keep reading to find out how to get the highest quality water in your life!
1. Bottled waters:
Bottled water has started falling out of favor lately and with good reason. Bottled water is not a good option for several reasons:
Chemicals from the plastic bottle itself can leech into the water
In most cases, the water itself is no different than tap water
Bottled water costs more in many cases that drinking tap water
Water bottles are a major source of consumer waste each year
2. Purified water filling stations:
Americas next endangered species... Water fountains!
With purified water filling stations on the rise, we are cutting down on environmental waste, avoiding adverse effects from BPA exposure and saving money!
Carrying your own glass or metal water bottle is a great way to reduce waste and stay hydrated, but be sure you are cleaning your bottle on a regular basis and that the bottle you are using isn't effecting the metals in your body!
3. Alkaline waters:
Alkalinity refers to a waters pH level. The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or basic (a.k.a alkaline) a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. For example, something with a pH of 1 would be very acidic and something with a pH of 13 would be very alkaline.
Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7. Alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9. Because of the higher PH levels in alkaline water, advocates believe it can neutralize acid in your body.
Look for waters that contain a PH level of 8 or above.
** Bonus if the waters contain added trace minerals or electrolytes! **
4. Water filter systems:
There are quite a few water filter systems out there that claim their system is the best. You may have heard of a few:
Pitcher + Faucet Water Filters like Brita use Granulated Activated Charcoal to remove some contaminants. These are often less expensive initially, but require replacements filters every 30-40 gallons, which leads you to spend more in the long run. The carbon in these filters will make this water taste "cleaner", but does not remove heavy metals, flouride or other endocrine disruptors.
Reverse Osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules and larger particles from drinking water. These systems filter many of the naturally occurring minerals from the water as well and ultimately end up rejecting a lot of water in the process, contributing to several gallons of wasted water.
Solid Block Carbon Filters:
Recognized as the best option for removing chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. Quality carbon block filters will also remove chemicals, bacteria, fluoride, heavy metals, nitrate, nitrites and parasites. Most are gravity based and can safely transform any type of water into safe drinking water including rain water, pond water and even sea water.I always recommend the Berkey Water System. I use this system at my house and cannot boast enough about the benefits I see in the quality and taste of the water. Plus they come in a number of different sizes and even have small options for travel + camping!
5. Mountain Spring Water:
When it comes to the healthiest drinking water, mountain spring water is considered THE best option. Most people however are unable to get access to this liquid gold. Spring water is often referred to as ‘living’ water for its refreshing and energizing effects!
Genuine mountain spring water is sourced from natural springs and doesn't undergo any changes to its composition. It is sparkling clean, healthy and free for pollutants. It is treated only with UV lights and not with any chemical compounds for destroying any bacteria. (SOURCE)
Clean spring water has a refreshing taste that cannot be matched by any other type of water.
It contains just the perfect concentration of natural minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium to contribute to your health.
Fine spring water is sourced from ancient springs that have been there for millions of years.
Genuine spring water is naturally alkaline that is perfect for your body.
Find a spring near you HERE!
I know this may seem overwhelming now, but you will thank yourself later for taking the time to use quality water inside and out.
My hope is not to fear-monger, but to empower you with the knowledge that you need to live your best life, today!
Enjoy your journey to health!
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