Water Week Part 2 – Beware: Don’t Be A Human Water Filter
Hungarian Biochemist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Szent-Gyorgyi has notoriously said that:
“Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.”
Years ago, this statement would not caused much confusion as to which type of water drink. That’s because drinking water was typically obtained from the tap, and bottled water was used for emergencies or special occasions. And just about everyone trusted their municipal tap water and drank it without questioning its quality.
But all that has changed. Nowadays, most health-conscious people pay attention to the water they drink, and I’m sure you’re no exception.
So today, in order to help you make informed choices, I’ll review the most commonly available types of drinking water.
Tap Water: The Festering Faucet
If you live in a large metropolitan area, chances are you receive a yearly water report from your city. My town’s water report claims its water is so good, that certain stores in the downtown area actually sell it as bottled water!
What the report doesn’t reveal is that lurking in what appears to be crystal clear liquid there are chemicals purposely added to the water. Supplementation of municipal water serves two purposes: to prevent contamination and cavities.
Chlorine, and more recently chloramine (chlorine mixed with ammonia), are used to disinfect tap water. But there are unintended – and inevitable – consequences tied to this method. Toxic disinfection by-products known as trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed when the chemicals react with organic matter. Chloramines also induce the corrosion of lead and copper pipes, leading to contamination with heavy metals.
Treating tap water with chlorine hasn’t lived up to its expectations. According to Consumer Report:
“Dangerous contaminants such as lead, chloroform, arsenic, nitrate, nitrite, radon, and E. coli bacteria are common in tap water.” 1
And water fluoridation has also added to the already heavy toxic load of modern times. Fluoride is supplemented in most U.S. cities and in many countries around the world for the dubious purpose of cavity prevention. Ironically, a large percentage of children suffer from dental fluorosis, a sign of excessive fluoride that mottles teeth with brown spots and uneven enamel.
Ingesting fluoride is ineffective at improving dental health, and effective at increasing health problems. The observed remineralization of tooth enamel takes place with topical fluoride application. There’s a good reason why all fluoridated toothpaste tubes include a disclaimer warning against swallowing it and to call a Poison Control Center if you do.
So it is not surprising that ingested fluoride is treated by the body like a toxin. The kidneys, liver, and sadly, even the brain bear the brunt of it. One sad example I can give you is from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies revealing that:
“Children in high fluoride areas had significantly lower IQ scores than those who lived in low fluoride areas.”2
But that’s not all. Fluoride accumulation in the skeleton can mimic arthritis symptoms, inhibit the immune system, and induce hypothyroidism. Also, a slew of studies have shown the negative effects of fluoride ingestion on bone health. This is all covered in great detail along with an extensive bibliography in The Missing Link, which is part of the Save Our Bones Program.
And last but not least, if you drink water straight out of the tap, you may be inadvertently ingesting over-the counter and prescription drugs – albeit in small quantities. According to an Associated Press investigation:
“A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.”3
The most unpalatable part of this is how the drugs get into the water. Even though wastewater is treated and cleaned before it enters the municipal pipes, the chemicals used are not designed to remove drugs.
More recently, there have been reports of brain-eating amoebas in tap water that ultimately killed two neti pot users trying to clean their sinuses.4
How to Get It
Home faucets have access to municipal water sources.
My Review
It’s a shame that this convenient method of getting water has turned out to be so inconvenient for those who wish to stay healthy! Even if you live in a non-fluoridated area, you should never drink from the tap without first using filter pitchers such as Zero Water, PUR, or Brita. They help remove impurities and other organic material (including dissolved lead) but not fluoride and lead particles.6
Also, pay attention to the containers you use to store water – they should be either BPA-free or glass. And remember to change the pitcher filters often, since they could contaminate the water with bacteria.
The Bottom Line
Before you drink water from your faucet, make sure that you live in a non-fluoridated area. Once you’ve confirmed this, always use filter pitchers to ensure water cleanliness and improved taste. And make sure you stay on top of your local news, in case there’s a boil water advisory in your area.
Spring Water: Incognito Inorganics
Minerals are necessary to perform a myriad of crucial biological functions, including bone and connective tissue growth. So it’s not surprising that drinking water with minerals in it may sound like an easy and attractive way to get important nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium – to name a few. Unfortunately, it’s not so. In fact, inorganic minerals are detrimental to our health since our cells don’t recognize them and are therefore treated as unusable substances, not much different from toxins.
Organic minerals are bound or chelated to carbon-based molecules, and this is how the body can utilize them. Not surprisingly, minerals present in foods are organic.
Spring water and mineral water – the latter containing at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids – are both from a well or spring where water flows naturally to the earth’s surface. Artesian water is under enough pressure so the water rises above the aquifer. All three contain only inorganic minerals that can neither bring life nor health to our cells. In fact, excessive accumulation of inorganic minerals can wreak havoc in the body, such as hardening of the arteries, bone spurs and kidney stones.
Bottled spring, mineral, and artesian water are typically sold in plastic bottles. Fortunately, most well-known brands confirm that they use Bisphenol A-free plastic, but recent studies have found phthalates, another endocrine disruptor, in some bottled water most likely made from recycled plastic.5
How to Get It
Grocery stores typically sell a variety of bottled spring, mineral and artesian bottled water.
My Review
Try to stick to the well-known brands, such as Nestle’s, since they are BPA-free.
It’s important to check if the plastic bottles could leach toxic chemicals. As a general rule, the recycling symbols number 1, 2, 4 and 5 are fine. Just make sure never to re-use bottles that have the number 1 recycling symbol, since they’re made for one time use only. Stay away from all bottles with the number 7, since they may leach BPA.
As with tap water, you might want to filter out excess minerals by using a filter pitcher to prevent unwanted inorganic mineral accumulation and heavy metals in your body.
Bottled water prices vary greatly and if you use it for cooking it can substantially increase your grocery budget. Fortunately, the larger packages are a better deal and you’ll end up spending less per bottle. To avoid back injuries, make sure you lift the large packs by using your leg muscles and not your back.
The Bottom Line
Inorganic minerals should be removed from the body and not reintroduced, so if you opt for bottled water, check the label so you can select the ones with the lowest mineral content. Also, make sure the brand you get uses BPA-free plastic and use a filter pitcher before drinking it. You might want to stock up on large gallon containers for cooking and to make coffee or tea.
Well Water: A Calamitous Cocktail
If you rely on a private well to get your running water, as do over 15 million U.S. households, you already know that you’re responsible for its maintenance to prevent contamination, mechanical problems, and to keep the water as clean as possible.
While the absence of municipal supplementation with chlorine and fluoride may give well owners a reason to celebrate, other issues can plague well water – literally. According to the CDC, the five top pathogens linked to well water contamination are:4
- Hepatitis A
- Giardia intestinalis
- Shigella spp.
- E. coli 0157:H7
- Tied for 5th: Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella serotype Typhimurium
And as is the case with municipal tap water, undesirable chemicals such as arsenic, lead, nitrates, agricultural pesticides, and viruses such as enterovirus and rotavirus can be commonly found in tested well water.5 This is a partial list, mind you. Nor is well water immune to the presence of drugs, per the previously mentioned AP investigation.3
So in addition to the maintenance, well owners would do…well… or a lot better, if they test the water regularly.
How to Get It
The well is connected to your plumbing, so simply use your faucet.
My Review
In view of the potential for contamination, I discourage anyone from drinking directly from the well. You might want to install a permanent under the sink filter, but if you do, remember to change the filters as recommended and to maintain the system clean at all times. Or you could also use a filter pitcher. When in doubt, boil the water, until you can get a sample to your local laboratory.
The Bottom Line
While the good news is that well water is free of any municipal supplementation, there are enough contamination concerns that further complicate drinking well water straight out of the faucet. A secondary filtration system as well as ongoing water testing is the best way to prevent toxicity and contamination problems.
Reverse Osmosis Water: Perilous Purification
The reverse osmosis filtration system uses osmotic pressure to push impurities through a membrane and carbon filters. As the filtered water enters the reservoir tank, dirt and impurities stay on the other side of the membrane. Most contaminants are filtered quite effectively, except for viruses and low molecular weight chemicals such as chlorine, trihalomethanes, and other. Hence the need for carbon filters. Fluoride filtration is quite effective, ranging anywhere from 50 to 95%, depending on the system.
Maintenance of RO systems is critical for optimal filtration capacity, since the membrane degrades with usage and the filters get clogged up by residue. If the membrane and the storage tank are not kept meticulously clean, bacterial overgrowth might ensue. For that reason, most large commercial RO systems also use ultraviolet light, as it effectively helps control bacteria.
Water testing is crucial when using this water filtration system, since there is no visual indication of membrane erosion or the presence of microscopic pathogens.
How to Get It
You can install your own reverse osmosis system either under the sink or by the main water pipe so the filtered water is available everywhere. The latter option, however, can cost several thousand dollars.
Alternatively, you can buy RO water (sometimes sold as purified water) either in bottles, gallon containers, or from dispensers installed in some supermarket chains. In all cases, check the type of plastic used for the bottles, and if you use the dispenser, make sure your bottles are BPA free or made of glass. Also, ask the supermarket manager if the company does fulfill its maintenance obligations, since, as I’ve explained earlier, the membranes must be cleaned on a regular basis.
My Review
Reverse Osmosis systems offer effective water filtration, albeit with intense maintenance that if not performed on schedule could potentially increase the presence of pathogens such as viruses and some bacteria and decrease the filtering effectiveness. The practical application of an RO system, however, is quite convenient, since it can be installed throughout the house.
The Bottom Line
Before you invest in an RO system carefully analyze the cost, including the yearly maintenance expenses. Getting water from supermarket dispensers is a good way to save, but the inconvenience of carrying bottles to and from your house can’t be ignored. Additionally, there could be issues with equipment maintenance that are completely beyond your control.
Alkaline Water: Digestion Disruptor
As you already know, maintaing the pH balance within the desirable alkaline range is critical to your bone health and to health in general. Perhaps that is why on the surface, drinking alkaline water could sound like a great idea. But that’s not so.
When water reaches the stomach, it immediately combines with stomach acid or hydrochloric acid, which has a pH of 1. It is so acid that it can dissolve a piece of wood in a few seconds. So you can say goodbye to alkaline water the minute it reaches your stomach!
In fact, drinking alkaline water, especially with meals, can decrease stomach acid and basically lead to incomplete digestion and a greater risk of bacterial infection. Improperly digested food caused by insufficient stomach acid can also impair the ability to achieve an alkaline pH. What’s more, alkalizing the stomach contents makes it harder to alkalize the blood because paradoxically, the acidic function of digestion in the stomach is what actually triggers a greater alkalizing reaction in the small intestine, and ultimately in the blood.
In other words, the lower the pH of chyme (the acidic digested food mixed with stomach acid) that flows into the small intestine, the larger quantity of alkalizing elements will be produced to ultimately alkalize the blood.
How to Get It
A variety of alkalizing and ionizing systems are available, such as Kangen, Jupiter, and Samsung, to name a few. Most can placed on the kitchen counter or installed under the sink. For the latter option, a plumbing expert might be a good idea. These systems work better with tap water than well water due to the possible presence of hydrogen sulfide in well water, which gives off a rotten egg smell. Well water may also have elevated iron levels.
These systems are quite pricey, ranging from $1,000 to around $3,000. Replacement filters add to the cost, since they need to be purchased regularly.
My Review
The pH of water does not affect the blood’s pH, since the water we drink is either mixed with food during a meal or rapidly enters the circulatory system through the intestinal walls. Bear in mind that the amount of water in our bodies is a very tightly controlled process to maintain both volume and the amount of dissolved substances, including ions. The water we drink is not the only source of water in the body; foods, and especially fruits and vegetables, are also an important source of water and alkalizers. Plus a good amount of water is produced from the oxidation of glucose derived from foods.
Besides the rather high cost of the product itself, the filters necessary to remove fluoride and other impurities found in tap water add to the ongoing cost.
The Bottom Line
There’s no need to risk digestive problems and to spend money on alkaline water. When it comes to blood pH, the pH of water is not an issue of concern. The best way to achieve the desirable pH is to eat a balanced diet that promotes alkalinity and good health.
Distilled Water: Condensation Conundrum
Steam distillation relies on the simple principles of evaporation and condensation. Unlike all other water filtration systems, distillation removes the water from the undesirable impurities rather than the other way around. Tap water is heated to boiling temperatures so that water molecules are turned into vapor steam, which then condense on the collecting reservoir, leaving all impurities and contaminants behind.
Some systems also have a carbon filter to ensure that any residual low molecular weight chemicals are caught prior to reaching the clean reservoir. This leaves nothing but pure H2O – water as nature intended. The end result of vapor distillation is pure water, devoid of anything else except what water is supposed to be: two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom.
The very same process that ensures the purity of distilled water – the condensation process – has been subject to criticism, since all impurities, including inorganic minerals, are removed from the drinking water. But that’s precisely what we should be looking for! I’ve already discussed the problems tied to ingesting inorganic minerals in the Alkaline Water section, so there’s no need to rehash here.
Also, there are claims claim that drinking distilled water causes minerals to leach out of the body. This statement is not based on true science. In fact, it’s a myth. You see, staying hydrated with pure distilled water is the best way since it’s unencumbered by minerals that cells can’t utilize, thus helping cleanse the body of potentially harmful substances.
Another myth about distilled water is that it acidifies the body because its pH is around neutral to acid. As I mentioned in the Alkaline Water section, the food we eat is a much stronger pH determinant than any amount of water we could drink.
How to Get It
Some grocery stores sell distilled drinking water, typically in one gallon jugs. As is the case with bottled water, make sure you check the recycling number. Also, some brands of distilled water made specifically for babies have fluoride and inorganic minerals added, so read the label carefully.
A convenient option is to get your own countertop distiller, so you don’t have to lug heavy water bottles and containers. Prices vary greatly depending on the quality of the product, but are typically a lot less expensive than water ionizers. A stainless steel-lined unit is ideal, since water gets heated to boiling temperatures, so it’s important to make sure that the containers are made of durable and safe materials that won’t leach chemicals into the water.
My Review
Vapor distilled water is a very convenient method to obtain pure and healthy drinking water. Distillation consistently eliminates all water impurities leaving you with clean and fresh-tasting water. Unfortunately, grocery stores mostly carry the gallon jugs and not the smaller bottles.
Countertop distillers are simple appliances that require practically no maintenance and are as easy to operate as a coffee maker. Replaceable carbon filters are inexpensive and need to be periodically replaced. A good quality distiller will have an indicator signaling when the filter has outlived its capacity. Additionally, having your own distiller can save you money in the long run, plus you won’t have to carry heavy bottles from the grocery store.
When you own a distiller, you’re in complete control of your drinking water’s quality, whether you’re connected to municipal water or if you have your own water well. And it can save you hundreds of dollars a year, depending on the size of your household. Alternatively, I recommend you buy distilled water from your grocery store.
The Bottom Line
Distilled water is easy to get if you make it yourself, which also saves you money in the long run. Plus only distilled water is absolutely pure, both bacteriologically and chemically. It is also great for cooking and making coffee or tea, since it doesn’t alter the taste of foods.
I distill my own water, and use it every day both for drinking (with a splash of lemon juice) and cooking. Vapor distilled water is what our bodies need and what our bones crave. I recommend it to all those who are serious about taking care of their wellness and their bone health.
Here’s to your hydration education!
Win A FREE Distiller Sweepstakes Is Coming Monday, September 10th!
Look out Monday, September 10th for details on how you can win the same model distiller Vivian uses, along with other great prizes!
References
1 http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/water-filters/buying-guide.htm
2 Choi AL et al. “Developmental Fluoride Neurotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Environ Health Perspect. 2012 Jul 20. [Epub ahead of print].
3 http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm
4 http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/23/health-officials-link-brain-eating-amoeba-deaths-to-tap-water/#ixzz24Q8EJLUv
5 Sax L. “Polyethylene Terephthalate May Yield Endocrine Disruptors.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 118(4). April 2010.
6h ttp://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/water-pitcher-filters-dont-remove-lead-particles.html
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October 9, 2012
Hello Viviene, Does all this mean we shouldn’t take a multi mineral supplement at all? My doctor recommended one. especially magnesium and trace minerals. I’m just not getting enough from food. One can only eat so much! and yes I eat healthy organic food. Lots of fruits and vegetables. I’m always skinny and want to put ON weight NOT lose it! I had mercury poisoning and lead etc. which has compromised my digestive system in a big way. My stomach reacts to everything and cramps up. Much of the food we eat today (compared with 50 or more years ago) doesn’t have the same mineral content..even if it’s organic. For example .. in New Zealand where I grew up there is very little selenium in the soil.. this just one example of a world wide fact.
I’ve just bought an Alkaway Jug by Seychelle.gets rid of 90% fluoride and 99.99% other toxins..but not minerals. and it has sachets that one puts in the water (ionizing and alkalizing). (I had two distillers once and with both of them the water tasted of plastic)
I have the Alkaway drink bottles which do the same thing, as the jug i mean.. except get rid of all fluoride.
What I noticed with the ‘alkalizing and ionizing’ sachets (when I used them) in the bottles .. if I could drink enough my nails (after breaking and splitting all the time) suddenly began growing ‘big time’ and didn’t split.
So tell me.. if you take all the minerals out it’s dead water..right? and what the other person said is true.. that human’s haven’t lived since the year dot on distilled water! We got our water from rivers and lakes, which would have come from mountains and would also contain volcanic minerals for sure.
I agree that one should have organic minerals yes, as opposed to heavy minerals.. Maybe we can add the ‘organic’ minerals if we need them.??
September 29, 2012
thank you for all this information.
———–
http://www.natural-osteoporosis-treatment.com/
September 15, 2012
What about washing fruits and veggies in water?
September 12, 2012
I have used Zero water filters for years. What is your take on Zero?
September 12, 2012
Great article!
September 12, 2012
thank you so much for clearing up some confusion regarding tap water and distilled water. Very helpful.
September 12, 2012
What I don’t see, especially in relation to distilled water, is the matter of electrolytes. Good or bad.
September 12, 2012
my dear Vivian
Thank you so much for making us aware that the kind of water we take everyday is not only to quince our thirst and help digest the food we eat, but make us sure it’s safe & free from any contamination.But its difficult to determine the kind or # of plastic bottled use we bought from the market!
Your research is really a great help to keep us healthy. We look forward for more tips from you to save our bones w/out expensive drugs…God bless
warm greetings,
minnie
September 10, 2012
Hi Vivian: Thanks so much for shearing so useful information. I am curious to have your comments about pros & counts about hidrogen peroxide mixed with tap water.
Blessings for You, Staff and readers!
manuel
September 10, 2012
Where is the number 1, 2, 4, 7 ect on the plastic bottle..could not find it on any of the plastic bottles at the store. Thanks.
September 10, 2012
Can someone please tell me where to look for that recycle number..went to the store today to buy distilled water but could not find any of the numbers Vivian was talking about? Did not want to get the #7. Looked all over that plastic bottle.. Thanks!
September 12, 2012
Hi there, the plastic number is the same colour as the bottle itself and is usually a raised impression on the plastic within a triangle shape. The most common place to find it is at the very BOTTOM of the container. Lift it up and have a good look for a half inch size impression in the container. The labelling itself on the container is not likely to show this recycling symbol. That is what we are talking about, the categorising of plastic into numbers within a triangle symbol is the recognised method for dividing the recycleability of the various plastics out there. It is for both us and the recycler to use.
September 24, 2012
Thank you – that was very helpful, Dijana.
I’m in the UK, and I’ve now managed to find them on all of the plastic bottles I have. It was too small to read on one of them (!) but the others that I found are all 1:
Evian 50cl = 1
Harrogate Spring Water 50cl = 1
Marks & Spencer Still Scottish Mountain Water 750ml = 1
September 12, 2012
Thank you..will look for it there!
September 12, 2012
Thank you..will look for it there!
September 10, 2012
Thanks for all of the time and effort you must give to researching. Your scientific analysis is very appreciated. I have an after school guidance and sports program with youth. I presented a summary of points made in your writing about water. The clarity of distinguishing food as the major factor affecting acid/alkaline balance was a breakthrough for me. Thanks.
September 10, 2012
Dear Vivian,
Since the existence of humankind, animals and other living things on earth, they have been drinking spring water, or river/creek water that has its sources as springs. There was no way they can drink distilled water or RO water. Only a very small number of humans drink rain water caught in specially arranged containers, which water is close to but not exactly distilled or RO water. The extremely long history of these living things (including humankind) drinking spring water seems telling the fact that spring water is safe and suitable for living, even when the water contains the “inorganic” minerals” (as called by you). Of course when the spring water is in extreme conditions it is not suitable for drinking. But general spring water not in extreme conditions, should it be OK and necessary? Moreover, could “truly pure water” be dangerous, as this has not been humankind’s or other living creatures’ experience in the long, long history? In ingesting the “truly pure water”, is our ship sailing into the unknown waters? Please comment on my words. Thanks.
September 9, 2012
What about washing fruits and veggies? Should tap water be used or the distilled water?
September 9, 2012
In spring water you mentioned there are inorganic minerals which cannot be used by the human body and instead are harmful to the body. How about the minerals in the daily supplement tablets? How about the fact that some companies sell small bottles of mineral liquids? (The bottle of liguid contains various minerals to be added to the distilled or reverse osmosis water, a few drops a day to be added to the water.) Are these minerals in the aforementioned tablets and bottles inorganic? Do you mean that only minerals from fruits and vegetables are organic?
September 13, 2012
Mostly I have noticed that Vivian has recommended minerals grown on algae and sold in raw form. Mostly I get my minerals from eatin a diet with a lot of fruits, greens and other herbs and vegis. If you run your food through One of the calculators on the internet, you’ll see what you are ingesting. Probably don’t need highly mineralized water. I like my spring water, but question the minerals. Jury’s still out for me on that.
September 9, 2012
Seems to be the time to be selling water distillers. Ross of Energise UK has been advertising several brands. Vivian is not directly advertising any brand so far, as she did with the recent organic calcium supplement. No, she’s offering one in a prize …..
September 8, 2012
Hi! Vivian,
Thank You VERY MUCH For Telling Us About Distilled Water, And How We Can Save Money, In The Long Run If We Distill Our Own Water By Getting A Distiller!
I Was Always Told That Distilled Water Was The Best Water To Get.
Did I Understand You Correctly That You Said We Should Alternate Buying Distilled Water At Our Local Stores, And Also Distilling It At Home Ourselves?
Thank You VERY MUCH For ALL YOU GREAT INFORMATION YOU SEND US, ON HOW TO SAVE OUR BONES, AND BE HEALTHY ALL AROUND!
LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L.)
September 8, 2012
If you own a distiller, by all means distill at home for all your drinking and cooking water. That’s what I do.
Hugs and smiles
September 8, 2012
Vivian,
You described how alkalized water works in the stomach. You told that it decreases the stomach acidity which is necessary for the food digestion.
It’s not good for healthy people. But for people who suffer from stomach and other problems acidity decrease could be useful.
That’s why such people indicated that they got good health results using alkaline water. Some people indicated also that alkaline water usage helped them to increase blood PH. Is that right? Could you please indicate where I can read of distilled water effect on the people health and alkaline water on the blood PH?
Whatever is good for you could be not so good for some other people
We can not ignore facts and we have to think of distilled water effects in a long run.
Thanks
September 8, 2012
Leonard, there’s lots of misinformation on stomach acid. Acid reflux is due to insufficient acid, not too much acid. And the pH of water has practically no effect on the blood pH, as I wrote in the above post.
September 13, 2012
You are SO right on the stomach acid issue. Even a allergy doc told me that it is an issue of not enough acid and not to continue taking the Omeprazole. He suggested taking the enzymes with Hcl. I felt it didn’t work because I had terrible symptoms. Turns out that some of the symptoms were the withdrawl; rebound, effect from getting off the Omeprazole, and continuing poor diet. Duh!!
September 8, 2012
I had very painful chronic degenerative disc disease sciatica for ten years until I discovered ionized alkaline water. I spent less than $1,000 for my batch ionizer over six years ago. It has a “clean” cycle on the machine eliminating the expense of purchasing new filters or anything else. I use Waterwise distilled water in the humidifiers. The couple of times I have experimented on myself over the years returning to drinking distilled or filtered tap water, the debilitating sciatic pain quickly returns. On ionized water, I am able to stand, walk, even run with no pain whatsoever. Ionized water gave me my life back. I will never drink any other type of water.
September 8, 2012
What about Cullighan water systems or the refill system at the store?
September 8, 2012
They sell and deliver filtered water, spring water, distilled water, and demineralized water. Make sure you ask for distilled water.
September 8, 2012
No one has mentioned the filtering that comes when you buy a new refrigerator..we drink that water..is this good or bad when it comes out of that in the refrigerator’s water filter.
September 8, 2012
Refrigerator filters don’t eliminate fluoride, unfortunately.
September 8, 2012
What is the different between “Pure water” and “Distilled water”?
Thank you.
September 8, 2012
Distilled water is the only “pure” water.
September 8, 2012
We have well water. Do we still need to purify somehow?
September 8, 2012
Absolutely!
September 7, 2012
I bought a counter top water filter from HSN.com as we have a deep well for our water supply. I found the water tastes better filtered and it claims the filter never needs changing because it filteres 30,000 gals. of water, which would take a lifetime to use. I don’t know how true all this is about water but I thought I’d try one. My animals all drink filtered water also. I haven’t seen any difference in taste of coffee/tea but when I drink filtered water alone there is no taste like the well water gives out.
September 7, 2012
Hola Viv,
What an intuitive, comprehensible report on the nectar of life…water! I’ll pay more attention on what I’ll ingest to quench me thirst from now on.
I use a Halo 5 whole house purification & conditioning system that supposedly treats a lot of the issues that you mentioned in your excellent report. Thanks. Hasta la vista!
September 9, 2012
Where do I get info on the Halo 5 water conditioner? Thank You, Nelson B
September 8, 2012
Hasta pronto, Mickey
September 7, 2012
I was on distilled water for 3 months and my joints started to ache. I made it myself .bought a distilled unit ontop of the counter it costs 200.00 and i put minerals back into the water as the directions said to do. Ive been off for about a year back to filtered water under the sink filter and my joints feel great again…so i dont know what to say about your therory.
September 7, 2012
I’ve heard such units emit gases that can be toxic to some. (That’s why many people put the outdoors and vent them) Maybe that was a contributing factor?
September 7, 2012
Your article hits home for me – years of declining health that started when I was in my mid twenties led me searching for answers. It took a few years to discover that it was due to Fluoride toxicity. Water, certain antibiotics I took as a kid, certain foods, etc led to the build up in my body. I tried a RO system but that didn’t get rid of all the fluoride. Only distilled water does and since switching to it, getting rid of all fluoride containing foods, and stopping using most all chemical laced products I have seen great improvements. I still have a ways to go since Fluoride stores in your bones but please really do pay attention to what you are drinking and eating since water is used in so many things. Fluoride toxicity is real and it causes horrible health issues. For me it led to food allergies, chemical sensitivities, and multiple other issues. Thank you so much for your articles Vivian!
September 7, 2012
I have read that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the water evaporate with the water in the distillation process, and therefore remain in the end product. They may even be concentrated in distilled water because of this, which would make distilled water a less healthy option. Any comments?
September 7, 2012
Maybe thats why my joints hurt when I just was drinking distilled water. I bought a distilled machine cost 200.00 Oh well live and learn I dont drink it anymore.back to undersink filter water.thanks for your comment.
September 7, 2012
No one mentions rain water (not out of a tank)but saved in buckets. Isn’t this the same as distilled water? Years ago everyone used rain water instead of distilled water in their cars to refill the radiator. Is it not better for you than tap water? If not, wny not? I have been drinking this for about a year now and have been adding baking soda to make it less acidic. Now I am reading that you shouldn’t make your water alkaline. I give up – too hard. Would love your comments on this.
September 7, 2012
Rain water is in essence vapor distilled water. But since the air is polluted, it carries the pollution with it. Before drinking it, you should first filter it.
September 6, 2012
Vivian, I would love to hear your response to my questions. In part one article you mentioned about synthetic minerals. Does water in nature not have organic minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and more? Doesn’t distillation remove these natural minerals? Also, where did you get your information on alkaline water neutralizing stomach acids? I know that my Kangen water machine actually aids in better digestion as it helped me with constipation, my father in law with colitis and other that have chrohns, IBS, diarrhea, even acid reflux and a host of other ailments or diseases. There are several medical studies proving that ionized, restructured water balances the body’s pH and aids in better digestion and mental clarity. How do you explain that? Have you ever tried ionized water from a Kangen machine? Please tell me that you would be open minded to trying something that is proven to work and help everyone with better health.
September 7, 2012
Water from streams, springs, etc. has inorganic minerals, derived from the rocks and other material present in the water. Plants absorb the inorganic minerals via their roots, and convert them through their metabolism into organic minerals. So when we eat plants (fruits, veggies) we are consuming organic minerals.
And based on my research, alkalizing drinking water is an unnecessary process, as I wrote in Part 2 (above).
September 6, 2012
Wonderful information,Vivian. Thanks so, very much.
September 6, 2012
Hi! Vivian,
I Think You Are RIGHT, DISTILLED WATER IS THE BEST CHOICE If You Don’t Have Your Own Distiller! Thank You Vivian, For All You Do To Help Us Stay Healthy, Including Our Bone Health!
LOVE, LESLIE (MS.L.)
September 6, 2012
Hi Vivian- In this article you said Nestles bottle water is best to drink. My wife drinks bottled Poland Springs, I drink tap water filtered through Britta; which is best in your opinion, Nestles, Poland Springs, or tap water filtered through Britta?
September 7, 2012
Poland Springs is spring water and Britta doesn’t filter out fluoride. So I’d recommend you switch to distilled water.
Nestle’s Pure Life is the best bottled water. That’s what I get when I’m traveling or out and about for many hours.
September 8, 2012
Hi Vivian – I spoke to you on the phone once and regarding water, you mentioned that you used Publix purified water which uses reverse osmosis for purification when you are out and about. Is Nestles Pure Life better and is it purified via reverse osmosis? I’ve been buying Publix purified water ever since talking with you. I’ll switch to Nestles if you think it is better. Thanks for all you do to help keep our bones healthy. Andie
September 6, 2012
Hi Vivian.
I live in an area with very hard water, and use a filtered Showerwise shower head, Brita and PUR water filters on kitchen and laundry room sinks. We are considering getting a whole house filtration system from Life Source. They say all the water will be safe to drink, and gets out the chlorine and other contaminants. I wonder if I will still have to worry about inorganic minerals, and will the drinking water be safe to drink with this kind of system? I have spent too much time chipping away at hard water deposits. We buy distilled water for drinking, but will we have a healthy filtration system with LIFE SOURCE? They use a carbon filter that doesn’t have to be replaced for many years. What’s your advice? Thanks.
Jeanne
September 6, 2012
We purchased a special water filter from http://www.aquabelle.com that removes floride etc. per request because we found out that their regular carbon filter did not remove floride.
Does anyone know of a rating among filters? Would love to purchase a distiller water filter but do not know anyone that has one and I thought that that process would be very slow.
Lillie
September 6, 2012
Please don’t forget that bacteria loves distilled water as well. Clean the containers you keep the distilled water in, with food grade hydrogen peroxide, on a regular basis. I have been using a Dolfin water distiller for 24 years and have found that bacteria can get into even the best sealed containers out there.
September 6, 2012
The Zeropoint Aqua Purification (ZAP) system is self contained ,environmentally safe ,portable water filtration ,purification system. It purifies even the dirtiest water,erases previous vibrational imprints, and recreates human frequencies. The frequencies protect the body from toxins and brings it into balance and energetic homeostasis.
I do I know this …I do personal PH tests upon rising every morning..My body consistantly test in the PH7 plus level.
Easy to fill , light wt. removes up to 99.99% of contaminents such as environmental toxins,pollutants, pesticides, chlorine and much more….trace minerals remain..it’s cost effevtive… FDA approved filter extensively tested by independentent govnment approved laboratories in US.
I have been drinking approximately 8 to 10 eight ounce glesses from this ZAP water bottle for one year and have had amazing improvement in my energetic well-being with overall excellent health.
September 6, 2012
Hi, Vivian. I’ve read your recommendations about distilled water, but I recently read this:
“…distillation strips out the beneficial minerals from the water making it an acidic, “hypotonic” solution. To reiterate the danger of this, the repetitive drinking of mineral-free water will cause a leeching of bodily minerals as part of the body’s natural mechanism to achieve homeostasis. Over time, depletion of minerals in the body will occur and can result in negative health consequences. We recommend adding a trace mineral supplement to the water post-distillation.” I love reading about drinking water, but then I get so confused with the differing views! Vivian, HELP!!!
- Suzy
September 6, 2012
Replying to my own comment…
I did some more research with backs up what you said, Vivian!
http://www.supremefulvic.com/distilled_water.htm
Thanks for always finding ways to help us stay healthy!!!
Suzy
September 6, 2012
Since I heard your first comments about drinking water without fluoride in it ,I have found a bottled water called “Smart water” that is free of fuoride and still has minerals in it. It is bottled in BPA bottles, so I alternate this with “Brita” filtered water which I store in my frige. So far, so good, thanks for the advice Vivian, it is always appreciated.
September 6, 2012
The only time I developed cavities as an adult was the 2+ years in my early 30′s that I only drank distilled water.
If I had added the now recommended seawater concentrate, or some other high quality trace mineral formula, my story might be different.
I am 62 and have been on the good health track since my early 20′s, when the only thing I had to rely on was the now corrupt Prevention Magazine.
However, I have concluded that home distilled water makes a great detoxifier for short-term intermittent cleansing.
One of the primary services good clean water provides is drawing toxins and metabolic waste from the body into itself to be flushed out.
Since distilled water is basically empty water, it has a greater capacity to draw out waste and chemicals from the cells and blood.
For the same reason, I find it risky to buy distilled water in plastic bottles that have traveled in hot trucks and sat on store shelves, allowing time for the empty “hungry” water to draw the plastic molecules into itself.
Water is called the universal solvent because more substances dissolve in water than in any other chemical.
For those who care to compare, there is a difference in taste between distilled water made and stored in glass vs. plastic.
Also, the softer the plastic container, the more easily the plastic molecules can migrate into the water.
Don’t take my word for anything I have said here; ask a chemist or do your own research.
To your good health, Kay
September 7, 2012
WHERE CAN I BUY A CHEAP, BUT EFFECTIVE, SAFE DISTILLER? ANYONE KNOW? ARE THERE SMALL ONES FOR ONE PERSON? OR PORTABLE LIGHT WEIGHT STAINLESS STEEL ONES??? I AGREE ABOUT STORING DISTILLED WATER IN GLASS RATHER THAN PLASTIC. ALSO, STAINLESS STEEL WATER CARRIERS MAKE WATER TASTE WEIRD. THIS SUGGESTS THAT STAINLESS STEEL MAY NOT BE AS INERT AS WE ARE LED TO BELIEVE, MAYBE. HAVE YOU NOTICED?
NOW THERE’S A GOOD BUSINESS IDEA FOR SOMEONE: TO MAKE DISTILLED WATER AND SELL IT TO STORES IN GLASS BOTTLES OF VARIOUS SIZES UP TO A GALLON. BIGGER WOULD BE TOO HEAVY TO CARRY. COULD BE AS BIG AND AS HEAVY AS EXISTING JUICES IN GLASS BOTTLES. OR A TRUCK THAT DELIVERS BIGGER GLASS BOTTLES OF DISTILLED WATER TO HOMES, BUSINESSES, GYMS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES,VENDING MACHINES, HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. ANYONE INTERESTED??? HOW ABOUT IT? THIS COMMUNITY COULD BE YOUR FIRST CUSTOMERS. GLASS BOTTLES WOULD BE HEAVIER AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO TRANSPORT, AND THEREFORE COST MORE, BUT ADVERTISING THE BENEFITS WOULD CREATE A DEMAND. AND IT WOULD HELP OVERALL HEALTH FOR ALL CONCERNED. LET US KNOW HERE WHEN YOU START.
ANOTHER IDEA IS FOR SUPERMARKETS AND HEALTH STORES TO START HAVING DISTILLED WATER DISPENSING MACHINES AND SELL GALLON GLASS BOTTLES. EMPTY APPLE JUICE GALLON GLASS BOTTLES COULD ALSO BE RE-USED, INSTEAD OF RECYCLING THEM. AND SELLING NON BPH, NON BPS AND NON PTYALATE PLASTIC MULTI GALLON SAFE PLASTIC BOTTLES, RATHER THAN THE BLUE TINTED #7 BIG BOTTLES COMMONLY SOLD NOW, WHICH ARE TOXIC. MOST PEOPLE ARE FOOLED INTO THINKING THEY ARE SAFE. THEY ARE ALSO EXPENSIVE.
WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST, MOST COMPACT, SAFE DISTILLING APPARATUS? AND WHAT CAPACITY OF WATER CAN IT DISTILL PER ONE BOILING? AND HOW LONG TO DISTIL ONE GALLON? DO ANY COME WITH PYREX GLASS TUBING? (TO BE ABLE TO SEE HOW CLEAR OR MURKY IT GETS.)NOW PUT THESE IDEAS IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT! SEED-IDEAS TO GROW FOR CHANGE. THANKS.
September 6, 2012
Since the information on the water went from tap water to bottled and then that distilled water is the best and most healthy of all the one question comes to mind is why the counter top distiller would not be easy to buy anywhere. It should be sold everywhere for the ones who are health concious and wanting the best possible water to drink. But then the stores could not sell as much of their bottled water for those of us that are educated on what water is really best for us. I live in Arkansas and wonder where I can get a distiller water machine. I do not like to order things of this nature cause for one thing the postage would probably be expensive, not that I do not have the money for it, but I try to save when possible. Does the discount stores or retail stores have these machines? If not, they should think of starting to but like I said it would stop people from buying bottled water and also distilled water in the gallon jugs. I guarantee as big as the Wal-Mart stores are all over the world it would not hurt their business to lose a few bucks on water. Ha! I used to work for them over 10 yrs. Ha!
September 7, 2012
THEY COULD ALL SELL DISTILLED WATER IN GLASS BOTTLES ALSO. AND WHO CARES IF BIG STORES LOSE BUSINESS. THEY COULD MAKE IT UP BY SELLING AFFORDABLE DISTILLERS AND DISTILLED WATER IN GLASS BOTTLES OF VARIOUS SIZES. DONT WORRY ABOUT WALMART.
September 6, 2012
“Bed, bath and beyond” carries distillers. I don’t know whether you have one in your area. if not ,maybe you could check “home depot” and/or “lowes”
September 6, 2012
I bought a WaterWise distiller many years ago, and drink it exclusively. After maybe 10 or 12 years we needed to replace it, so bought another WaterWise. These are great machines, workhorses that last a very long time, and each provides as much distilled water as a family generally needs.
September 6, 2012
We have been distilling our water for many years. At first, we thought it was necessary to add minerals. We would add a drop or 2 of highly concentrated minerals from Salt Lake to each gallon. Then we learned that was not at all necessary and stopped a number of years ago. The distiller itself, is a work of art. The boiling tank & the condensation collector (a spiral tube) are blown pyrex glass. The distilled water is collected in a 5 gal. glass water jug through surgical tubing. Just before the water is discharged into the jug, it passes through a coconut charcoal filter that removes any chlorine that might remain. We then transfer it to 1 gal. glass jugs for use. We use it for drinking & cooking. The water tastes fabulous. People to whom we’ve served the chilled water are amazed at how good it tastes.
September 8, 2012
You did not metntion which distiller you use….would like to know. Thanks.
September 7, 2012
Can you tell us the brand of distiller you have and where you purchased it?
September 7, 2012
THANKS FOR A CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF YOUR DISTILLING APPARATUS. I WONDER HOW LONG IT TAKES TO DISTILL ONE GALLON??? ALSO I WONDER IF A DISTILLER COULD BE DESIGNED TO ATTACH TO A STAINLESS STEEL KETTLE ON A STOVE TOP. ANY CREATIVE IDEAS OUT THERE???SEEMS LIKE THIS WOULD BE EASY TO INVENT A CHEAP ONE, WITH PYREX SPIRAL TUBING AND A RUBBER CONNECTION BETWEEN KETTLE SPOUT AND PYREX TUBING…TO POUR THE STEAM AND CONDENSATION INTO A WAITING PYREX GALLON BOTTLE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE STOVE, IN BETWEEN COOKING MEALS. ANY INVENTORS OUT THERE? I’LL BE YOUR FIRST TESTER IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR FIRST PROTOTYPE IN EXCHANGE FOR MY IDEA, AND POSSIBLE MORE IDEAS FOR A %. SERIOUSLY! I’M AN IDEA PERSON. I NEED A DOER PERSON WITH START-UP CAPITAL. LET ME KNOW HERE. PERHAPS WITH MY AND VIVIAN’S PERMISSION, VIVIAN COULD GIVE YOU MY PHONE # OR EMAIL. CREATIVITY IS MY SHTICK. SAVEOURBONES COULD BE THE BIRTHPLACE OF DISTILLED WATER IN GLASS BOTTLES FOR THE HEALTH ORIENTED MASSES AND ALSO COMPACT STOVE-TOP DISTILLERS, FOR A HEALTHIER AMERICA AND EVENTUALLY WHOLE PLANET. AND MAYBE A SOLAR POWERED PORTABLE DISTILLER!! DO THEY ALREADY EXIST? WHY NOT? I’M READY WHEN YOU ARE.
September 6, 2012
Hello, yes I would like to make my own ditilled water,How do I do that? thank you, joan
September 6, 2012
Vivian will offer her water distiller recommendations this Monday, and she’ll also give all the details on how to win a counter-top distiller and more. So stay tuned till then…
September 6, 2012
A great place to find more than one distiller is at shop.com/americashop. Below the top, there is a blue area that has a SEARCH ALL PRODUCTS and beside it is a window where you can type WATER DISTILLER. Scroll to find more than one and click on the one you want. It will take you to that store. The thing I really love about this shopping site is that you get cash back on your purchases. If you get confused the first time you go there, contact the person on the top right of the page. You can actually get help on this site, too! I am considering getting one of the distillers myself.
September 7, 2012
WAIT! BEFORE YOU ALL GET A DISTILLER, LETS USE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND GET WHAT WE EACH WANT WHOLESALE.!! WE CAN ALSO DO THIS WITH OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ANYONE RECOMMENDS AND WE CAN ALL SEARCH FOR THE DISTILLERS WE WANT. IF THERE’S ENOUGH INTEREST, I CAN INITIATE IT. STATE YOU ARE INTERESTED HERE ON THIS SITE, TIL OCT 31, HALOWEEN. I WROTE ANOTHER MESSAGE SIMILAR TO THIS ONE. I WILL KEEP A LIST ON PAPER AND CONTACT THE BUSINESSES AND NEGOTIATE WITH THEM FOR WHOLESALE PRICES FOR EVERYONE, IF THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE. LET ME KNOW HERE ON THIS SITE. SAME FOR WHEATGRASS JUICERS.
September 9, 2012
What type (name brand) of distiller do you recommend?
Please include the link if you have it.
Thanks.
September 8, 2012
I would consider a water distiller at the RIGHT PRICE. My husband and I drank distilled water for over 30 years. I have developed some SERIOUS health problems. I have MS, scoliosis and severe osteoporosis.(I was told over 10 years ago my bones were that of a 95 year old (I’m now 71)ago). My husband also has osteoporosis and has lost 4 inches in height! We were told by SEVERAL Naturopathic physicians that we HAD to get OFF of the distilled water. I’m dumbfounded!! Thoroghly Confused!! Since we got off of the distilled water( 6 years ago), our bone density test are still HORRIBLE! Bev
September 8, 2012
Yes! I think this is a great idea… but of course we have to agree as to which distiller we want to buy! I wouldn’t want a large model as I live in a small house. Also, I want to make sure that the model doesn’t produce the negative effects that possibly give ‘achy joints’ which one person commented on!
Vivian, will you make suggestions on several models which you think are the best and come in different sizes?
Thanks!
September 8, 2012
Estelle, I am up for that, please keep me updated!
September 7, 2012
I am interested in a distillation machine.
Put my name on your list for a good wholesale price. Thanks.
September 7, 2012
THANKS FOR THE TIP ABOUT SHOP.COM FOR DISTILLERS. MAYBE WE COULD BUY THEM WHOLESALE AN GET A GROUP BIG DISCOUNT. WE SHOULD ASK THEM. WHO WILL DO IT? WHO IS INTERESTED? WE SHOULD CREATE A LIST OF INTERESTED PERSONS, AFTER REVIEWING THEIR SITE, AND DECIDING WHICH MODEL EACH OF US WOULD LIKE.
September 7, 2012
AND WE COULD ALSO DO THE SAME THING WITH A DISTRIBUTOR OF WHEATGRASS JUICERS, FOR HEALTHIER BONES AND HEALING THE WHOLE BODY. THERE ARE MANUAL AND ELECTRIC ONES, OR ANY KIND OF JUICERS OR BLENDERS OR ANYTHING ELSE. IF THERE’S ENOUGH INTEREST, I CAN INITIATE OUT GROUP WHOLESALE PRICES ON ANYTHING I SUGGESTED. LET ME KNOW HERE, NOW OR LATER.
UP UNTIL OCTOBER 31, HALOWEEN. ESTELLE
September 10, 2012
keep me inform about wholesale price on distiller. thanks
September 6, 2012
I am still confused. You state Kangen is ok to purchase ? Or distilled is better than the Alkaline that Kangen makes? Thank you for all your help.
September 6, 2012
Distilled is the healthiest drinking water. That’s what I drink
September 8, 2012
Vivian, am confused why you need to put lemon juice in distilled water. Buy the gallon jugs at my grocery, I find the lemon juice takes away from the pure taste, is it really necessary? Also, there are companies out there health food stores that sell a product that turns water alkaline, in a pinch do you recommend those? Also what in Nestles Pure Water is so good about it, will look on other labels, we always keep bottled water for on the go, but want other options, HyVee brand? and which one, their are two kinds, please advise. Thanks.
September 7, 2012
Dear Viv:
Hi! I boil the water for a few minutes in a pot before I pour it into the distiller. I assume boiling will blow off most of the chlorine and ‘light’ organic compounds. Am I right?
September 6, 2012
I would think that drinking mineral-laden well-water would be best for our health. Europeans seek out hot springs with naturally high mineral content to relieve many illnesses.
As for well-water’s top 5 pathogens, http://www.ngwa.org states that groundwater very rarely contains PATHOGENIC bacteria. Nevertheless, you should get in the habit of boiling your water, transfer to a glass bottle while hot, and then let cool.
If you boil city water, this should drastically reduce chlorine, chloramine, and trihalomethane content.
September 6, 2012
Please do not be fooled into thinking that anything with the word “European” is good! Having lived in Europe for almost 10 years (3 countries), I observed many activities that were just plain crazy, in the name of health! Don’t fall for the magic word “import”. It only means brought in from another country….there is no proof that it is good for us.
September 7, 2012
YES, YOU ARE RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND SPRING WATER IS BEST TO BATHE IN AND NOT TO DRINK.
THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK! LOOK BEFORE YOU COOK!
September 6, 2012
Be aware of BPA-free plastics may contain BPS which is also toxic. To read 5 articles on BPS go to: drmercola.com, click articles and type BPS in the search box at the top. Glass is best.
September 6, 2012
Agreed. Glass is my #1 choice at home
September 6, 2012
Thanks for the info about BPS. OI VEY. I GOT SOME FREE BPA FREE GREAT MIXING CUPS FROM PURITY PRODUCTS AND BEEN USING THEM ALMOST DAILY TO MAKE AND STORE SMOOTHIES OVER-NIGHT, FOR THE NEXT MORNING. I WILL NOW TRANSFER THEM TO EMPTY GLASS JARS THAT I SAVE AFTER THEIR FOODS HAVE BEEN USED UP.GLASS JARS ARE FREE, STRONG GLASS WITH SECURE SCREW-ON LIDS,AND VARIOUS SIZES. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE INFO ABOUT BPS. THANKS FOR SHARING IT.
September 6, 2012
I can’t believe that drinking distilled water is best. We are born on a planet which has water fit for drinking. Admitedly we have caused a lot of polution but before then that’s all we had. Animals don’t need distilled water to survive and people who drink heavily mineralised water in the Himayalas are reputed to live long and healthy lives. So if we really need distilled water I think we would have been born with some sort of filtration system in our bodies.
September 7, 2012
DOGS HAVE STRONGER DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS THAN HUMANS AND PROBABLY OTHER ANIMALS ALSO DO, SO DRINKING CONTAMINATED WATER WOULD HARM THEM, PERHAPS. HUMANS NEED TO BE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHAT WE DRINK AND EAT. AND WHO KNOWS, MAYBE OME ANIMALS DO GET SICK IN THE WILD FROM THE WATER THEY DRINK. WHO WOULD KNOW???
September 7, 2012
CORRECTION: CONTAMINATED WATER WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO HARM DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS THAN HUMANS. SORRY FOR THE TYPO IN ABOVE MESSAGE.
September 8, 2012
why are you screaming?
September 6, 2012
I can’t help but agree with you on this. I can certainly see how removing all the man-added chemicals is very important, but I just don’t see how distilling is in any way natural.
September 7, 2012
DISTILLING IS PRECISELY TO ELIMINATE THOSE MAN MADE CHEMICALS AND ALSO NATURAL TOXINS.NATURE HAS TOXINS TOO, AND VIRUSES, BACTERIA AND FUNGI ARE NATURAL TOO. SEEMS LIKE ITS A GOOD IDEA TO DISTILL, BUT TO BUY DISTILLED WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES, JUST PUTS THE TOXINS FROM PLASTIC INTO THE PURE WATER. WE NEED TO FIND WAYS, CREATE WAYS, TO GET DISTILLED WATER IN GLASS BOTTLES. IF THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY. IF THERE’S CREATIVITY AND MOTIVATION, THERE’S A WILL.
September 6, 2012
Believe me, it is not wise to over tax your liver:)
September 6, 2012
The Big Berkey water purifier is a great product and operates without heat or electricity. It is simple and effective, allowing water in the top container to simply filter through into the bottom container. It can be used effectively with water that has been contaminated by flooding, for example. I understand that hundreds of these units were supplied to residents after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It has stood the test of time, having been developed originally for Queen Victoria, using porcelain filters. Now you can get the original porcelain filter or newer ones that also remove heavy metals. Google Big Berkey and you’ll find it.
September 7, 2012
THANKS MUCH. I’LL CHECK OUT BIG BERKEY…AND OTHERS. I WONDER IF ITS AS PERFECT AS DISTILLING. ANYONE KNOW? DOES IT FILTER OUT EVERYTHING?
I REMEMBER SEEING A YOUTUBE VIDEO SOME TIME AGO ABOUT DISASTER PREPARATION ….FOODS THAT KEEP TIL 15 PLUS YEARS AND SMALL PORTABLE WATER PURIFIERS. I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS. CAMPERS USE IT TOO. ALSO PURIFIES CONTAMINATED WATER FROM ANYWHERE. MAYBE WE COULD SEARCH “WATER PURIFIERS” OR “DISASTER PREPAREDNESS” ON YOUTUBE. I HAVENT SEARCHED FOR IT YET. ITS FOR SMALLER AMOUNTS OF WATER. PORTABLE.