|
Water: The Fluid
Of Life
Article by herbalist
Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
The importance
of water is critical to good health. It is often overlooked
when dealing with health issues. I always ask when
consulting with an individual “How much water do you
drink”? The reply I usually get is: I don't drink water it
doesn't taste good. Many of our body’s processes are
connected to water. It is the best fluid we can put into
our bodies. This article will show you how important water
is to maintaining good health and how to judge if what you
are drinking is healthy for you.
According to Dr.
Batmanghelidj "every function of the body is monitored and
pegged to the efficient flow of water." Many of the
chemical reactions in the body are dependent on water. The
energy generated on cellular levels is created by water.
Water is integral to the structure of cells. Nerve cells
and neurons in the brain produce compounds that need water
to be transported to their destination. Cholesterol
management is regulated by water. In TCM (traditional
Chinese medicine) the lungs and the kidneys control the
moisture of the body working with the skin.
This follows
along the same line of action in how water is important in
all lung disorders such as asthma and how histamine release
is controlled by the bodies’ regulation of water. According
to Dr. Batmanghelidj many disease processes are caused by
dehydration or basically lack of water. A growing number of
physicians are realizing the importance of water in
treating disorders of dyspepsia, colitis, hiatal hernia,
headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, high
cholesterol, excess body weight, asthma, and even diabetes.
So how much
water should you drink?
This is an interesting question;
the standard has been 6-8 glasses a day. Alcohol, caffeine
containing beverages (colas), coffee and tea do not count
when we talk about water consumption. The basic math goes
like this you drink half your body weight in fluid ounces
per day. Example: a 150-pound
individual need approximately 75 ounces of clean
water per day. Do you get that much?
Now that we know the importance of water
let's look at the quality issues of water.
Are you drinking clean living water?
How safe is the tap
water?
Are you drinking bottled water?
Recently the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) stated that
America's
municipal water
supplies are contaminated and are coming under scrutiny.
City water can have numerous additives that canbe
harmful to your health. Granted we don't want bacteria in
our water either but is fluoride necessary as well as other
contaminants.
These contaminants can be heavy metals (lead,
cadmium, arsenic), industrial
pollutants, pesticides etc. Are there regulations and tests
that cities can test for contaminants? Regulations of water
are present but according to the EPA unless the contaminant
level is above the regulation known as Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) there are no federal guidelines that require
that consumers be notified of the presence of these
contaminants.
Another issue is that water can become
contaminated after leaving the water treatment center.
There are home tests available so you can check your water.
Another issue in regards to chlorine is the
formation of compounds that are
know cancer-causing agents that can form once inside your
body.
So what do we drink and how can we have safer water?
We have numerous
choices when it comes to selecting water.
Water is broken
down into five categories: purified, drinking, fluoridated,
natural source, and specialty. Tap water is the source of
purified, drinking, and fluoridated. Bottled water is
labeled natural source meaning spring or aquifer sources;
specialty waters are flavored or carbonated varieties.
We can also
choose mineral waters, distilled and filtered waters but
how do you know which is better. There is a lot of
controversy as to which form of filtration is best. I
personally feel like it is up to the individual as to how
much you want to spend and what are you trying to clean
out. Let's look at this closer.
Many home filters use
carbon block technology. This is good for getting most
contaminants out of the water, specifically chlorine and
organic chemicals. It will improve taste and smell. It is
important to change these regularly since they get plugged
up. They will not remove microorganism, toxic minerals or
additives.
Reverse osmosis is another method of filtration.
Forcing water through a thin membrane usually measured in
microns does this. This removes most additives like
fluoride and other dissolved minerals salts, heavy metals
and pollutants.
Distilled water
if done properly is one of the best ways to remove unwanted
additives and toxic metals. It is done by boiling water and recondensing the steam to form clean water.
People always
ask me which is better distilled or spring. I again say it
is a matter of preference. Distilled is flavorless and
lacks electrical charge. It has been recommended by
numerous health professionals for detoxifying the body. As
long as spring water has been tested I think it is fine as
long as you consume your daily levels.
If you are
concerned about your drinking water I recommend you do your
homework.
Check out the current source of your water. Ask
for an analysis no matter what type you are drinking. Any
reputable company will be able to provide this information.
Two good books for more information are Your Body's Many
Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj, MD or The
Shocking Truth about Water by Patricia Bragg.
|
.gif){kind=logo}
.gif)
.gif){kind=logo}
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)