Friday, March 9, 2012

HEALTH DANGERS LURK IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Got water? Most of us suffer chronic dehydration thanks to busy schedules and a lack of fresh, clean water when needed. That water shortage can make you moody, fatigued, brain-fogged and health-deprived. But be careful what you swallow. The invisible contaminants you’re drinking in your water every day may be your worst toxic nightmare.

Dehydration Issues
As your body grows accustomed to a state of chronic dehydration, you lose sensitivity to water deprivation and don’t get thirsty when you need hydration. This can be a major problem because water is essential for maintaining optimal health. It comprises more than half of your body mass in the form of intracellular fluid, interstitial fluids, cerebrospinal fluid and more.
It’s easy to see why dehydration is such a problem for your health. In Chinese Medicine, water is considered the body’s essential medium, allowing for communication between vital organs and facilitating proper flow. It seems the solution should be simple: Drink more water. Unfortunately, water that is not properly filtered may prove more harmful than beneficial. It can expose the body to various toxic chemicals, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, copper, cadmium and aluminum. It may also contain hexavalent chromium, water treatment additives such as chlorine and fluoride, and bacteria and viruses such as giardia, coliform and E-coli.

Heavy Metals In Drinking Water
Heavy metals can seep into your drinking water from the pipes and plumbing through which it travels. Once ingested, heavy metals are difficult for the body to remove and can damage the body’s systems at the cellular level. Exposure can weaken the immune system, contributing to increased risk of kidney problems, high blood pressure and chronic inflammation.
Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent chromium compounds are found in dyes, paints, inks and plastics, as well as in agents added to paints and primers. While workers in shipyards, marine terminals and construction sites suffer the highest exposure, new information shows that drinking water across the country may be contaminated with this toxin. The chemical can seep into groundwater from natural sources and be present in soil. When inhaled from polluted air or polluted soil, it causes respiratory complications like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and nasal itch. The Environmental Protection Agency says that the presence of this compound in tap water may be carcinogenic, but the Federal government has yet to set a limit for hexavalent chromium levels in drinking water.
Water Treatment Additives
Chlorine is primarily used in municipal water treatment facilities to kill microorganisms due to its powerful disinfectant properties. However, it becomes dangerous to people when it reacts with other naturally occurring elements to form toxins called trihalomethanes (THMs). These toxins have been linked to a range of health problems including asthma, eczema, bladder cancer, heart disease and others.

Viruses And Bacteria
Although most filters and water treatments can successfully remove certain viruses and bacteria from drinking water, they are mostly inadequate. Therefore, you need to take extra precautions. Cities all over the country have experienced outbreaks of E. coli and other waterborne diseases including cholera, typhoid and dysentery originating in contaminated water. Exposure to E. coli bacteria can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and gastrointestinal diseases as well as long-term kidney problems.

Water Filtration Options
With so many risks of contamination, it’s imperative to not only choose clean, filtered water when hydrating, but also to take advanced measures to build immunity and prevent these toxins from harming your body’s systems. Installing a water filtration system in your home or office is the easiest, most effective and most economical way to ensure safe drinking water. Common Brita and PUR water filters do not remove all harmful compounds. However, various reverse-osmosis systems that are designed for the home can effectively purify most tap water. Additionally, undergoing regular cleanses to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals, toxins and heavy metals that have collected in organs and tissues can help protect your body from further damage.

Safe and Natural Detoxification
While the best way to protect yourself is by minimizing your exposure to these health-robbing chemicals, you can take action to help your body remove these toxins safely and effectively if you’ve already been put at risk. The most important aspect of any detox program is a healthy cleansing diet, which helps:
  • Eliminate foods possessing strong pro-inflammatory potential.
  • Alkalize your system to promote oxygenation and detoxification of tissues and organs.
  • Provide nutritional support to your organs.
  • Revitalize cells and tissues.
  • Balance blood sugar.
  • Improve digestion.
  • Remove toxins and heavy metals.
Extra Support
For added support, supplement with PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin to remove toxins and heavy metals from deep within the tissues and organs. Numerous studies show that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is a safe and powerful detoxifying agent. Recent studies also prove its ability to significantly enhance immune function for both short-term and long-term immunity.
Clean drinking water is an essential health resource for the entire planet. It is one of the key components to vitality and longevity. To best ensure your health and that of your family, invest in a high-quality water filter or purchase pre-filtered water in glass jars from your local grocer. Along with proper diet and supplementation, plenty of good hydration with high-quality drinking water helps you look and feel your best, giving you the energy you need to keep up with our fast-paced world — without letting your engine overheat.