HealthyNutrition.me

by, S. Steve Dounis

 Seventy percent of the earth’s surface, as well as 70% your body, consists of water. Water is the essence of life. Your body needs water for your brain and all of your bodily functions to perform properly, from regulating body temperature to aiding in replenishing vital nutrients to all of your vital organs. Water delivers oxygen to your cells and removes waste through urination, prespiration, and respiration. Pure water delivers pure health.

Do we really know what is in our drinking water? Certainly, the public drinking water needs to be treated for human consumption, but, the chemical soup that passes for “protecting the integrity” of our water leaves much to be desired. Most of the noxious contaminants in the water supply are undetectable by taste. They are , for the most part, tasteless but not harmless. These include: Chlorine, a disinfectant to control bacteria and other microorganisms; Flourine (also in chlorine family), for preventing tooth decay; Lime, to control acidic water and retard corrosion in water pipes; Copper Sulfate, to kill algae; Aluminum Sulfate, to cause particles to clump together and settle; Sodium Bisulfate, a form of sulfuric acid; and Sulfur Dioxide, used as a disinfectant.

Besides these and other additives, there exists natural toxic substances found in water such as Arsenic, a poison that can cause cancer or death, and Cryptosporidium, a parasite that has a thick outer shell making it highly resistant to disinfection with chlorine. On very rare occasions, too much Arsenic may filter through causing outbreaks of arsenic poisoning. In other more frequent cases, outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis, causing diarrhea, may occur. Other harmful metals and acids may be found naturally in the water supply. Distilled water contains nothing but pure water and none of the contaminants.

What is Distilled Water?

Water is distilled by first heating the water to make steam. The steam rises, leaving all contaminants behind, and is collected through a conduit which transfers the steam to a separate collection area where the steam cools down and condenses back into pure water. This process removes salts, metals, minerals, asbestos, particles, and organic materials. Some complain that this distillation process also removes any and all beneficial minerals. However, the fact is that we obtain the majority of the essential minerals our bodies need, not from water, but from the foods we eat and the vitamin/mineral supplements we may ingest. If you are worried about it, add some seasalt, which contains about 80 minerals, to the distilled water. Distilled water is pure water that your body can use immediately without having to filter out any toxins.

The Importance of Clean Water

Water from ancient and prehistoric times has been the source of life. All life, whether plant or animal life cannot thrive without clean water. Filtration methods and exposure to ultraviolet light can be a safer way to go. However, the reality is that most municipalities are locked-in to the use of chemical treatment. But, you don’t have to be. You can chose to use other sources of water besides tap water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies distilled water as pure water but with a “flat taste”.

The Chlorine added to public water supplies combines easily with various living organisms such as bacteria. This is how Chlorine kills germs. We, as human beings, have not been exposed to the so-called “nontoxic” levels of Chlorine found in public water supplies for even a hundred years. Water for millions of years has been Chlorine-free. Therefore, it stands to reason that any chemical molecule that humans have not adapted to for millions of years may promote some harmful effect and over time prove to be metabolically toxic.  Drinking water containing Chlorine in excess of EPA’s standard causes stomach discomfort, and may cause eye and nose irritation. This needs further study.

Then there is the Fluoride factor. There are better ways of preventing tooth decay, such as a good, whole food diet. Fluoride that is added to the public water supply is chemically formulated from the co-products of the phosphate fertilizer industry. You can obtain natural Fluoride from drinking tea from the Camelis sinensi evergreen tea plant, including black, green, white, and oolong teas.

The Advantages of Pure Distilled Water

As stated in the EPA’s Safe Drinking Act (SDWA)’s Basic Information, “There are a number of threats to drinking water: improperly disposed-of-chemicals; animal wastes; pesticides; human wastes; wastes injected deep underground; and naturally occuring substances can all contaminate drinking water”. It further states that drinking water improperly treated  or disinfected, or travels through an improperly maintained distribution system may also pose a health risk.

People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, which can cause severe illness and even death.

Distilled water is free from all contaminants and microorganisms. It is pure hydrogen and pure oxygen in pure water form. Pure water for your blood to flow, nourishment for cells to grow, and to keep vital organs working at optimum levels.

Potential Health Risks and Effects from Public Drinking Water

Here are a few of the health risks as stated in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations of the Envirmonmental Protection Agency (EPA) including: microorganisms, disinfection byproducts, disinfectants, inorganic and organic chemicals.

• A. Microorganisms in Drinking Water

Cryptosporidium, and Giardia lambia, microorganisms from Human and animal fecal waste, cause gastrointestinal illness from cramps to diarrhea to vomiting.

Legionella, microorganism found naturally in water and multiplies in heating systems, causes Legionnaire’s Disease, a type of pneumonia.

• B. Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water

Bromate, increased risk of cancer.

Chlorite, can cause anemia, and, may effect the nervous system of infants and young children.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), may cause liver, kidney or central nervous system problems and increased risk of cancer.

• C. Disinfectants Added to Drinking Water

Chloramines, used to control microbes may cause eye/nose irritation, stomach discomfort, or anemia.

Chlorine, can cause eye/nose irritation, or stomach discomfort.

Chlorine dioxide, causes anemia and may effect the nervous system of infants and young children.

• D. Inorganic Chemicals May Be in Drinking Water

Antimony, discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; and solder. Can increase blood cholesterol and may decrease blood sugar.

Arsenic, from erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes. Increased risk of getting cancer. May cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems.

Asbestos, decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits. Causes increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.

Copper, from corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits. Short term expossure may lead to gastrointestinal distress. Long term exposure can cause liver or kidney damage. (People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal physician if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level of 1.3).

Fluoride, water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Can cause bone disease [pain and tenderness of the bones. Children may get mottled teeth (colored spots or blotches)].

Lead, corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion ot natural deposits. Delays in physical or mental development in infants and children including deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, can cause kiney problems and high blood pressure.

• E. Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water

Acrylamide, added to water during sewage/wastewater treatment. Nervous system or blood problems; increase risk of cancer.

Radium 226 & Radium 228 combined, from erosion of natural deposits. Increased risk of cancer.

Conclusion

As you can see, our drinking water is not exactly pure. The advantages of pure distilled drinking water cannot be denied. Of course, there will be times when you have no choice but to drink tap water, and that’s okay for a short while. However, for your well-being and healthy function of your entire physical being, drink pure distilled water. You can find bottled distilled water at any grocery store.

You can also make your own distilled water by using several products found on the market. One of the finest such products is the Waterwise 9000 Distiller, (a little expensive), that makes one-gallon of distilled water in 4.5 hours . You can find it at www.amazon.com for around $399.00, as well as at www.shopping.com, and www.livingright.com. There are other products on the market you can research by googling “home water distillers”. The average grocery store price for one-gallon of distilled water is about one dollar (even less at Walmart). Drink for your health.

March 21st, 2009 | Tags: Distilled water, drinking water contaminants, drinking water health risks | Category: Distilled water | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL