You are what you drink
I鈥檓 sure by now you understand that the quality of our food is more important than the quantity. In my view, we count nutrients (and toxins) before we count calories, and if you have managed to clean up your diet, bravo for you. You have taken one not-so-small step toward a better quality of life. Perhaps even more important than that great achievement is to secure a supply of clean drinking water.
Why? You may be aware that we are made of mostly water. As the saying goes, Do the math: How important is the thing we are MOST made of? Answer: The MOST important. Nice work, class.
This is not as easy as it sounds, unless you happen to have access to a truly clean water spring, which most of us do not. Some water sources contain tens or hundreds of toxic chemicals, many of which are even more easily absorbed in water. These chemicals are so well researched and identified that they can be classified in categories:
Volatile organic chemicals: Includes pesticides and herbicides; affects municipal and well waters; and can damage the reproductive system, liver and kidneys.
Heavy metals: Includes lead and mercury; and is linked to countless health problems.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Mimics or interferes with normal hormones in the body, and is also emitted by most plastic bottles. Bottled water is therefore advised against unless in emergency situations, so use glass containers.
Fluoride: The only 鈥渂enefit鈥� claimed is to the teeth, and this is a source of much controversy. Drinking it has not stated benefits, and in fact is reported to be a toxin. It has been linked to thyroid dysfunction.
So what are options for drinking water, and which are the best and worst?
(Plastic) bottled water: As referenced above, most plastics leech chemicals into the water. In many cases, bottled water is essentially tap water. The bottles are a major environmental waste problem. Glass or stainless steel water containers are the best.
Standard pitcher filters: These include Brita and use primarily granulated activated charcoal. The filters can be costly over time depending on water source and family size; the dirtier the source water, the faster the filters need to be replaced. These pretty much only remove chlorine. They generally do not remove the worst chemical toxins listed above. There are higher end pitchers such as the Zero Water filter. However, they still involve expensive filter cartridges, but for some may be a decent option.
Reverse osmosis: Removes a large amount of contaminants. Many are under the sink. Reduces arsenic, asbestos and heavy metals, and fluoride. Wastes more water than it produces by nature of the system. Does not reduce VOCs or endocrine disruptors. Needs up to an hour to filter one gallon of water. Filters need to be replaced regularly. Removes good minerals.
Distilled water: Kills bacteria; reduces arsenic, asbestos and heavy metals; removes fluoride, does not remove endocrine disruptors or VOCs; and removes good minerals.
Solid block carbon filters: Removes chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, fluoride (requires an attachment), heavy metals, nitrate, nitrites and parasites; removes herbicides, pesticides and VOCs; transforms any type of water into safe drinking water, including rain water and pond water; lowest cost per gallon filled; infrequent filter replacement; and does NOT remove good minerals. The most common type of this filter is the Berkey.
With this overview of filter types, you may now make an intelligent decision. I recommend you get the best system you can afford.
There are also whole house filters which use a combination of carbon and sediment filters. This is beneficial because we can breath toxins through shower steam. However, good whole house systems can be costly, ranging from $500 to over $2,000 depending on home size, and water source. The first priority is the drinking water since that is where we are exposed to by far the most toxins.
If you have followed this column, you have seen me talk about the need for cleansing the liver and gut. It is impossible to cleanse without clean water. This author suggests this become priority one. Whether it is water to create a green smoothie, or a large glass of morning lemon water, or for coffee and tea, the less invasive chemicals we let enter our bodies, the less of them our vital organs must spend time and energy removing, and they can rather get on with the business of building healthy muscle and bones.
It蘑菇视频 a pretty simple math: What goes in, if it is not a nutrient, is waste. Some waste is toxic, and the body must remove it and repair damage. This takes energy, and it ages us prematurely. So clean up your drinking water, and therefore clean up your body and mind.