What you need to know - Alternative View
• The diet of most people is too acidic. This leads to a loss of bone mineral density and can even lead to a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
• However, drinking alkaline water can also weaken stomach acid and reduce the absorption of dietary minerals. Alkaline water should never be consumed with mineral supplements or foods requiring strong acidic breakdown (such as raw foods).
• There are many other strategies for alkalizing the body: drinking fresh vegetable juices (from a juicer or blender), eliminating refined sugars from the diet and avoiding coffee and sodas. Soft drinks are highly acidic because they contain phosphoric acid.
Bottom line
• Ionized water is considered by many as good for your health because it neutralizes the acids found in food.

We often hear of elderly person, especially an elderly woman, who fell and broke her hip.

Osteoporosis doesn’t come about quickly; it doesn’t automatically appear with the senior citizen package of social security package, low bus fares and other over-65 perks. We work for years to get our internal conditions just right for osteoporosis to finally be noticeable.

Whether or not you develop osteoporosis depends on the relationship between the amount of acid in intracellular and extracellular fluids and the amount of neutralizing organic substances in your body.

The sodium is the primary, first-call-upon minerals to buffer acid ash left from such protein-rich diet as cheese, milk and meat.

As more and more organic sodium from vegetables and fruits is used to buffer a non-stop stream of acid ash-producing foods like dairy products, processed sugar and other fast foods, the sodium of your alkaline reserve will runs out. When your alkaline reserve is gone and you are on a high-protein acid ash diet, the body’s immediate concern is to compensate for the absence of organic sodium. Something is needed to buffer all of the acid from the food you eat. The acid must be neutralized before it can be eliminated harmlessly. When you have run out available sodium, the next best minerals to do the buffering is organic calcium not calcium supplements. It must be organic calcium, because that’s the only kind the body can use to buffer acid and rebuild bone.

There are two sources of organic calcium: alkaline ash foods, and bones. Both of these sources put useful calcium into the blood stream. However, inorganic calcium supplement is an “almost-identical twin” that can stay in the body but can’t do the work of the real thing.

First of all, we know that milk is high in calcium. Unfortunately, once milk has been pasteurized, the bonds that hold the minerals together are altered and the calcium may not be as usable. Pasteurization affects milk just as cooking affects other foods. Even calves can’t survive on pasteurized milk.

The structure of the milk is changed by pasteurization. An important enzyme that aids the assimilation of minerals in milk has been destroyed.

Mother’s milk provides the child with organic minerals that are ready, willing, and able to help a young body function at its best and produce the thousands of new cells needed for growth. There are enough alkalizing minerals to handle from protein and phosphorus.

Cow’s milk has a lot of protein that leaves an acid ash to be neutralized and has more acidifying elements (such as phosphorus and chlorides) than alkalizing elements (such as calcium and magnesium). In cow’s milk, there are more acid producing substances than the meager twenty-seven percent margin of calcium can neutralize. The small additional amount of calcium can’t buffer the combined load of protein, phosphorus, and other acidifiers in the milk.

Fruits and vegetables give you the calcium and phosphorus you need, and they build up your alkaline reserve. Your body can use the calcium from alkaline ash foods for buffering without robbing your bones. In addition, the alkalizing minerals of fruits and vegetables improve the alkalinity of your internal environment so that vitamins, minerals, and enzymes will have a more favorable atmosphere in their work place.

The Japanese claim that one of the underlying causes of adult diseases is the accumulation of acids in our body. In order for a treatment to be effective it must remove these excess acids from the system, otherwise the treatment will only offer a temporary cure. It is for this reason that medical science is rather poor when it comes to curing adult diseases.*

To help our bodies rid of these acid wastes it's imperative to decrease our intake of acidic foods and drinks and increase our consumption of alkaline foods and drinks. This including drinking plenty of alkaline water. Using a water ionizer is a convenient way to convert tap water to strong alkaline water with a high pH.

As our body is made up of 70% water, alkaline water will help flush out acid wastes which can lead to disease. The diseases discussed below are what Japanese doctors have treated and cured in Japan by means of Alkaline Water and/or elimination of toxins and wastes.*

1. Cancer
Much research has been done in the way of a cure for cancer with little success. Research has shown that the primary cause of cancer is the lack of oxygen in a cell. This lack of oxygen is caused by too much acidity in the system. When the environment becomes too acidic - there is not enough oxygen to go around to all cells in the area.* Drinking high pH alkaline water from a water ionizer which has excess oxygen will help in preventing cancer.

2. Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
The heart is the centre of all blood circulation. Your blood transports all nutrients and oxygen to the cells in your body and carries all wastes away from your tissues. Acidification of the body starts in the blood. Doctors have shown that patients with high blood pressure have an acidosis condition and have shown that acid free high pH alkaline water can lower blood pressure. In order to effectively treat high blood pressure the level of acid in the blood must be lowered.

3. Diabetes
In a healthy body the pancreas produces insulin which helps the body to use sugar and carbohydrates properly. However, in the case of people with Diabetes Mellitus, the output of insulin is inadequate for the body's needs.* The reduced production and release of insulin leads to an acidic blood condition. This type of diabetes has been treated very successfully using alkaline water. If we prevent wastes from accumulating by means of alkaline water, the person will not get diabetes.

4. Arthritis
Many forms of arthritis are the result of acid build up in the joints. It is this accumulated acid that damages cartilages and irritates the joints. Unfortunately the blood cannot carry wastes out of the joints easily. Drinking alkaline water will change the acidic condition so the body can fix the problem by itself.

5. Kidney Disease
As the body produces more acidic wastes the kidneys are overworked trying to remove the acids from the blood. Bladder diseases and nephritis are acidic related conditions which can be improved by the consumption of alkaline water.* Further, kidney stones form in the kidneys because the environment is too acidic. Drinking plenty of alkaline water will prevent the kidney stones from forming and can even dissolve them.

6. Asthma and Allergies
Allergies, in general are the result of an erroneous immune system which builds up antibodies against normally harmless substances. Japanese doctors believe this immune disorder is caused by acidosis. Drinking high pH water from an alkaline water ionizer can help create a more alkaline environment.

7. Osteoporosis
The skeletal structure of the body is a calcium reservoir. When the body becomes too acidic it compensates by taking calcium from the bones which leaves them brittle and prone to breakage. Prolonged usage of alkaline water can help prevent and repair the damages.

8. Eye Diseases
Most people just assume that their vision will get worse with age but this does not have to be the case. If we don't allow acids to accumulate in our cells these things would not happen. Drinking plenty of alkaline water will help!

9. Indigestion, Gas, Nausea
All these symptoms are caused by too much acid. Control of acid by means of alkaline water will help alleviate and prevent these acid-related intestinal and stomach disorders, including ulcers.

10. Chronic Diarrhea and Constipation.
While these may sound contradictory both are the result of too many acids. Too much acid causes the pancreatic juice to be less alkaline and the foods coming into the intestine to be too acidic, causing diarrhea. Drinking alkaline water will help. Doctors in Korea have found that constipation is caused by acid accumulation somewhere near the colon. It is possible that alkaline water helps the secretion of fluids into the colon by eliminating acid build-up.*

Bonus! Pregnant Women Read on… When pregnant, the fetus takes priority in getting all the necessary alkaline minerals which results in the mother losing a lot of alkaline minerals and her blood becoming acidic quite quickly. According to Japanese doctors, this phenomenon is known as morning sickness. Mineral supplements and the continual use of alkaline water are recommended to help alleviate morning sickness.*

A water ionizer turns ordinary tap water into strong alkaline water with a high pH. It is a powerful antioxidant that can help to treat and prevent disease. One of the best things you can do for your health is to use a water ionizer and drink alkaline water.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals. All matters concerning your health require medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-Water Ionizers, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention. E-Water Ionizers is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article

Every year Americans spend over 2 billion dollars on antacids. In fact, antacids have become the #1 over-the-counter remedy in the United States.* Indigestion has become so common that it is considered normal in today's world. Many of us don't even know what it is like to have proper digestion.

There is a fast and effective way to realize proper digestion. The key is properly combining your foods and drinking plenty of alkaline water, which we will discuss further throughout this article.

The Human Digestive System
Did you know different foods require different enzymes to aid in the digestive process? Some foods, such as proteins, require acids to digest, while others, such as starches, require alkaline digestive juices. If we are to eat, for example, a burger (protein) on a bun (starch) the acid and alkaline juices combine and essentially neutralize each other. This in turn slows down digestion. Poor digestion promotes an acidic bloodstream and we can't be properly nourished and healthy if we are not digesting our food.

Food combining refers to combining foods that are compatible with each other in terms of how they digest.

The Six Food Combining Principles

1. Perhaps the most important rule of food combining…Do NOT mix Starch Foods with Protein Foods! Why? In order for proteins to digest they need a very acidic environment where as carbohydrates (starches, fruits, sugars) and fats require a more alkaline medium. Whenever two or more foods are eaten at the same time that require opposite conditions the digestive system is compromised. This often results in gas, bloating and poor adsorption of nutrients. Obviously what we are talking about is in sharp contrast to much of the American diet; Meat and Potatoes, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Fish and Chips are all digestive nightmares!
2. Try to stick to 1 protein or 1 starch at a meal. Eating 2 different proteins at the same meal. i.e eggs and meat or cheese and nuts is very taxing on the digestive system because each protein requires a specific amount of digestive juice to be secreted. Eating too much concentrated starch foods at a meal may lead to fermentation. Our body's digestive system isn't designed to handle complex meals, so try to keep it simple.
3. Eat Starches with Veggies or low sugar fruits (i.e Avocados). Don't eat starches with Animal Protein, acids, fruits or oil. Eating starches with sugars (i.,e jam, honey, syrup) will produce fermentation. Again, this is contrary to much of the America diet; i.e. peanut butter and jam sandwiches, pancakes and syrup, toast and honey.
4. Low acid/sugar - high water content veggies combine with EVERYTHING! You can enjoy them with protein, starch, oils and other veggies! These vegetables largely reflect your body's composition of 70% water or more so load up on as many of these as you can.
5. Eat high sugar fruit on its own and in moderation. Fruits high in sugar are acid forming and digest extremely rapidly. Further, eat melons separately because they don't combine well with other foods due to the speed in which they digest.
6. Eat healthy oils with vegetables and low sugar fruits (i.e tomatoes and avocados, bell peppers, lemons and limes). Don't eat oils with protein because some foods i.e nuts are 50% fat and require 11 hours to digest!*

BONUS: Food Combining Chart

Other principles of proper digestion:

More on the Water You Drink…
Water is the most important element to becoming and staying healthy. Because our body is 70% water (our blood is 94%!) we need to give our body plenty of pure - alkaline water. Alkaline water is oxygen rich and is more easily absorbed into the body tissues. It is 6 times more hydrating that regular water, offering improved detoxification and health benefits. Using a water ionizer is a convenient way to convert tap water to strong alkaline water. Drinking high quality water is a key element in the digestive process and is vital to achieving and maintaining outstanding health and vitality

* The pH Miracle by Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young, 2006

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals. All matters concerning your health require medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-Water Ionizers, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention. E-Water Ionizers is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article

In health circles there has been much recent talk about acid /alkaline imbalance. Let's see if we can clarify how experts recommend we correct this imbalance.

The problem
Your body functions best when neither too acid nor too alkaline. Unfortunately almost all of us have become acidic due to diet, drinks and stress -- both psychological and from pollution. Acids can build up in our body, causing systems to be out of balance.

The effects
According to Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, "Acid wastes build up in the body in the form of cholesterol, gallstones, kidney stones, arterial plaque, urates, phosphates and sulfates. These acidic waste products are the direct cause of premature aging and the onset of chronic disease."

When this occurs, the body will restore its optimal pH by depleting certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, from organs and bones. In addition, your immune system may become fatigued from dealing with an excess of acid. Your body then stores acidic wastes in 'hiding places' such as muscles etc. rather than releasing the acids into the bloodstream.

As Dr.Robert Atkins, the well-known author, health and diet expert, notes: "Just about every condition I can think of, from arthritis to diabetes to cancer, is associated with acidity."

"The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause...too much tissue acid waste in the body!" Theodore A. Baroody, ND, Ph.D

What can be done?
A vast body of research reveals that you can help neutralize acid build-up in the blood and maintain a balanced pH, by taking some simple steps, such as:

What is the "right" water?
"International studies show that populations with little or no history of illness, such as cancer, drink higher pH (alkaline) waters. After all potential risk factors were considered and factored out, it became evident that they had been drinking waters with a pH of 9.0 to 10.0." Dr. Leonard Horowitz in "Aids and Ebola"

Alkaline ionized water "first came to notice in Japan, where researchers noted that people drinking water that came from certain fast- moving rocky mountain streams enjoyed extraordinarily good health. It turned out that this naturally occurring water was alkaline and had a different structure and electrical properties." Larry Clapp, PhD. in "Prostate Health in 90 days"

Alkaline water is produced at home with a small kitchen appliance called a water ionizer (long in use in Japan and Korea). As water ionizers have become popular in North America, more health professionals have had the opportunity to evaluate their effects on clients:

Sue Pollock, N.D. writes, we can "assist the body in being more alkaline with ...drinking alkaline water."

"I believe that the best water is water that is alkaline (reduced) and purified using a small device known as a water ionizer." (Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky)

"It is my opinion that ionized water will change the way in which all health practitioners and the public approach their health in the coming years." Dr. T. Baroody in "Alkalize or Die."

Why not just rely on a change of diet? According to Sang Whang, researcher and author of "Reverse Aging", the danger is that we might omit important foods:

"Since the waste products that we are trying to discharge are acidic, the right kind of water is alkaline water...My personal recommendation is to enjoy the foods that we like, but do not over-eat or exclude any food. Eat in moderation following the professional dieticians' "balanced diet" concept, and let alkaline water do the job of cleansing acidic wastes."

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals. All matters concerning your health require medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-Water Ionizers, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention. E-Water Ionizers is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article

Our iternal graditute goes to Ian Blair Hamilton Managing Director, IonLife for this anazing article.

Is a 20 Minute Read Worth an Extra 5 Years of Life?

It's a rhetorical question. We all know the answer - but in my experience the only time such a question seems to become important is when people don't actually have five years of life left.

It's often said that people spend more money on their health in the last two years of their life than the total of the rest of their life. In my experience this is so very true.

I don't want to waste time telling you how naughty you've been to fail to learn about your own health. God knows we are all so "busy" just surviving in this crazy world that oftentimes health takes a backstage position until it fails. It's like my son's car. He simply doesn't change the oil. He believes everything lasts forever. At age 26, so did I.

I have been asked many times to write down my understanding of acid and alkaline balance and its effects on health. This has usually been asked after I have spent an hour explaining it to someone, for the umpteenth time! So I'm going to give you my grand theory of everything about acid/alkaline balance now, and if you hear what I am saying, I know you'll understand and act upon this most fundamental of all health secrets.

Why is acid/alkaline balance 'fundamental'? Because this is about what happens at the microscopic level within our bodies; beyond the cellular level - at the atomic level. It's all about electricity, and about what happens to create energy in your body at the atomic level. It's about what doesn't happen, what should happen, and what will happen if you follow what I am suggesting. Most people I talk to already know that we are too acidic, because of acidic foods, drinks, pollution, lifestyle, stress ... almost everything is acidifying including watching the news at six.

We are told we need to alkalize, but what does that really mean? Many of us think that acidic water is just water with lots of acidic minerals in it, and alkaline water is water with lots of alkaline minerals in it - calcium, magnesium, potassium etc. But you can have acidic water with both acid and alkaline minerals in it; just more acids than alkalis, so it's not quite as simple as you may have thought.

Why am I explaining all this? Because if you can really understand this, you can begin a new way of thinking about your own and your loved one's health. The conventional approach to alkalizing something like water has been to take tap water, with its mix of acids and alkalis, then add more alkalis.

What's wrong with that? You're drinking a chemical cocktail - just to get your alkaline water.

But in this twenty minutes we're going to go far farther than this small point.

Let's assume that we have water with no minerals at all; distilled for instance. Then we add some calcium. Now we have alkaline water. The pH of this water may have gone from a neutral pH 7 to an alkaline pH 8; ten times more alkaline that pH 7. Most of us learned all this in chemistry class - as long as you weren't looking out the window like me!

Do you know what pH stands for? It comes from French, and means "per Hydrogen", which is a measure of the amount of Hydrogen in a liquid. Note; we're not talking about the amount of alkalizing or acidifying chemicals in a liquid. No, we're talking about the amount of hydrogen atoms. The chemicals or minerals just react with the water to create hydrogen atoms.

Why is this so important? Hydrogen fuels us. Hydrogen heals us. Hydrogen is our most essential nutrient. Hydrogen provides our life force! And pH equals amount of hydrogen in liquid, so it's a measure, if you like, of available life force in a liquid.

Charcoal Water Filters
They utilize charcoal derived from coconut husk as a filter medium. This absorbs impurities as the water passes through. This form of filter comprises possibly 95% of those in use domestically, because they are simple to install, relatively economical, and filter out the most deadly of contaminants, Cryptosporidium and Guardia. An average charcoal filter will last a family 6-9 months. Some charcoal filters are enhanced by the use of activated silver, which provides extra antibacterial protection. Minerals in solution can still permeate a charcoal filter. These minerals are essential to health.

Reverse Osmosis water filters
They use a fine membrane to filter through osmotic process. They take everything out of the water, leaving it pure. Usually installed under-sink, they require a serviceman to come every few months to install a new membrane.

Distillers
They use electricity to heat tap water to boiling point. Impurities are left in the boiling container and the purified condensate drains back into a clean container. They require a fair degree of power and cannot give immediate supply, because the boiling process must be completed before water is available. There is now a number of reports that distilled water is not good to drink long term because it leaches nutrients from the body, being the most 'unnatural' of water. Please refer to other articles we have on this important subject.

Ultraviolet water filters
They use a UV light to kill bacteria in the water. They are very seldom seen in domestic units because of the problem of keeping the light clean. Some water ionizers have small UV lights fitted but they have been shown to have little or no effect.

Backflush filters
Every now and then a 'new' system appears on the market claiming to offer extremely long life without filter changes. This is usually a backflush system. There are no proven long-term backflush systems on the market - probably because their claims of long life without filter change never live up to the facts. They are almost always two to four times the cost of the basic charcoal water filter unit, but justify this by their claims of longevity. Imagine how your sink would look if you used only hot water and no scrubbing to clean it!

Magnetic
Fundamentally, this involves passing the water over or through a magnetic field. This has the effect of rearrangement of ions. Without the fundamental 'splitting' of ions that occurs in the Water Ionizer (H2O to OH- and HO) lasting change is not possible, although many claims are made by the manufacturers. Free standing magnetic units do not filter or change pH. WE have tested units that utilize magnetism and have found a wide variation in results.

Energetic
These are usually attached at the entry of water to the home. They 'align' the water using various methods based to varying degree on the works of Viktor Schauberger, Pioneering water researcher. Although they do 'soften' the water, they do not change the pH or the REDOX (Positive or negative charge) of the water, nor do they filter the water. In our experience, water filters attached to systems with previously installed Energizers work extremely well.

Vortex
A number of units use vortex flow of water prior to output. They also appear to soften the water, but do not filter, ionize or change the REDOX potential.

Chemical Additive
The most well known of these is MICROHYDRIN, a tablet that when added to water, changes the REDOX dramatically. Normal dose requirement per person is 4 per day at about $0.50 each.A new entry to the market is "Unique Water" which is ordinary spring water with added magnesium carbonate. This wholesales at $0.55 per 600 ml bottle, and for minimum recommended therapeutic use, two bottles per person per day is recommended. For a family of four this comes to $1584 per year and slightly less than 3,000 plastic bottles per year. The water is not ionized.

Pi Water
PiWater is the combination of conventional filtration (sand bed, charcoal) with magnetic, mineral addition and FIR energetics. It acts like a standard countertop water filter but it also adds beneficial minerals to the water, changes the molecular structure, magnetizes and energizes using a unique form of ceramics. The Pi-Filter will last up to 3 years with normal use before needing replacement.

New evidence confirms that soft drinks cause serious cell damage. Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA -- a problem more usually associated with aging and alcohol abuse. This can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. The findings reveal serious consequences for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who consume carbonated beverages. They also reopen the debate about food additives, which have been linked to hyperactivity in children.

The biggest concern centers on the safety of E211, known as sodium benzoate, a preservative used for decades by the $150 billion global carbonated drinks industry. Sodium benzoate derives from benzoic acid. It is used in large quantities to prevent mold from forming in soft drinks such as Sprite, Oasis and Dr Pepper. This common preservative is also added to pickles and sauces.

In the past, sodium benzoate had already been identified as an indirect cause of cancer. When mixed with the additive vitamin C in soft drinks, it produces benzene, a carcinogenic substance. Now, Dr. Peter Piper, professor of molecular biology and biotechnology at Sheffield University, England, has released the results of his research on the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. Professor Piper discovered that benzoate damaged an important area of DNA in the “power station” of cells known as the mitochondria. He told The Independent on Sunday, May 27, 2007: “These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether. The mitochondria consumes the oxygen to give you energy and if you damage it -- as happens in a number of diseased states -- then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously. And there is a whole array of diseases that are now being tied to damage to this DNA -- Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all, the whole process of aging.”

While referring to outdated tests done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, Professor Piper said, “The food industry will say these compounds have been tested and they are completely safe. By the criteria of modern safety testing, the safety tests were inadequate. Like all things, safety testing moves forward and you can conduct a much more rigorous safety test than you could 50 years ago.”

It is obvious that the government is not going to take a stand against the powerful food and beverage industry. It is up to everyone to protect themselves and their families against the careless policies and practices of those in charge of public health. Not allowing your children to drink soft drinks is one of the most important things you can do for their safety and good health. The same applies to sport drinks, which according to a report issued by the University of Californian in Berkeley can raise body weight a stunning 13 pounds each year if only one 20-ounce bottle is consumed each day.

A new study conducted at Boston University School of Medicine (released August 2007) shows that drinking as little as one can of soda -- regular or diet -- per day is associated with a 46 percent increased risk of metabolic syndrome which plays a major role in heart disease and diabetes. According to the study, other harmful side effects of soda, both diet and regular, include:

• A 31% greater risk of becoming obese.
• A 30% higher risk of having a larger waist line.
• A 25% higher risk of developing high blood triglycerides or high blood sugar.
• A 32% greater risk of having low levels of good cholesterol.
• A trend toward an increased risk of high blood pressure.

Over the long term, the effects of the acidity, sugars, artificial flavors and sweeteners, and such preservatives as E211 contained in soft drinks can be devastating to the body. It would take 32 glasses of water at an alkaline pH of 9 to neutralize the acid from just one 12 oz. cola or other soda. In response to ingesting a cola, apart from risking dehydration, the body will have to use up reserves of its own stored alkaline buffers, mainly calcium from the bones, teeth and DNA. This raises the body's alkalinity levels in order to maintain proper blood alkaline pH levels. Once these reserves are exhausted, your life is at risk. There are enough acids in one soda to kill you, if your body didn't possess a mechanism to neutralize them. How long it takes before your body succumbs to the acid attack and suffers an acidosis depends upon how soon your mineral buffers are depleted. Acidic blood levels are a leading cause of death!

Caffeine, which is a major component in most soft drinks, removes water from the body faster than the body can absorb it again, thereby generating constant thirst. People who frequently drink soft drinks are never really able to quench their thirst because their bodies continually and increasingly run out of cellular water. Some college students drink as many as 10-14 cans of cola a day. Eventually, they confuse their bodies’ never-ending thirst signal with hunger and begin to overeat, causing swelling and excessive weight gain. Apart from its diuretic action and its addictive effects on the brain, regular caffeine intake overstimulates the heart muscles, causing exhaustion and heart disease.

Alcohol's diuretic effect on the body is similar to that of caffeine-containing beverages. For example, drinking one glass of beer results in the body forfeiting up to three glasses of water. As mentioned before, a hangover is the result of alcohol abuse, which causes the brain to suffer severe dehydration. If this occurs repeatedly, a large number of brain cells become damaged and die. As a result, many important brain functions slow down or become depressed. Recovery is possible to a certain extent if alcohol consumption is discontinued.

It was hard not to hear about the mess our water supply is in; the March 2008 AP (Associated Press) story was picked up by almost every media outlet imaginable. Members of a “National Investigative Team” reviewed reports and talked to over 200 officials and scientists for a five-month period. The AP writers’ conclusions struck fear into many a thirsty American, who was suddenly told he was drinking urine. Not any urine either, but drug-filled urine, possibly from their neighbor up the road.

The first to feel the effects were the water filter companies, who have received many inquiries from consumers. Even though a less widely published story came out in 2000 after the U.S. Geological Survey’s research, apparently few in the industry have run tests on their products to find out if they could filter out pharmaceuticals. Those that did run checks only tested a few drugs.

The EPA hasn’t responded either, as to this day there are still no minimum standards detailing how many parts per million of drugs to water is tolerable. Nor does anyone know the long-term effects on our bodies from drinking such pharmaceutical cocktails on a daily basis. Research on fish and other animals shows many ill effects, which suggests we will be affected as well, if only by eating the fish.

It was pointed out that this problem did not only pertain to the U.S., but recent studies have found similar drugs in the water supplies of Canada, Asia, Australia, Europe, and even in Swiss lakes and the North Sea. Other studies have found them in Brazil and South Africa.

The article also made it clear that bottled water is no solution, as it can pick up the contaminants from the tap water from which it is filtered, or the natural springs from which it is collected. Virtually no water source is safe, since the problem has not yet been thoroughly addressed.

Many opinions and old surveys no longer relevant are cited, but after a critical look at the article, we aren’t enlightened much. The writers state that when it comes to water filters, reverse osmosis models do the best job. No evidence for this is given, however.

A little deeper investigation highlighted the problem of antibiotics. Since bacteria can adapt to them and nullify their effectiveness, the constant exposure of antibiotics in the water will give the many bacteria strains ample time to mount their resistance.

There are additional issues to those highlighted by the AP’s article. Besides the overwhelming conclusion that our world has become too enamored with pharmaceuticals for our own good, the question still should be asked: Why do most local governments prescribe large doses of one drug equally distributed to every man, woman and child without regard to need and without any scientific basis?

The drug is fluoride. Many readers know it as a chemical waste product of the fertilizer industry that is problematic environmentally in regard to how to dispose of it. So the government and the industry figured out that putting it in our drinking water would solve the problem.

Many states voted to require fluoridated water, but in a few states it is up to the local water company. Oregon Citizens for Safe Drinking Water is an example of one group which has actively opposed the fluoridation. They feel that the fluoride itself is bad enough for health, but its negative effects are multiplied because fluoride compounds are contaminated with lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and other toxins.

Not only that, but studies have shown that fluoride can pull lead from pipes and add that to the poisonous mix coming from our taps. That might be the reason fluoride also seems to bring copper and aluminum with it as well as the lead.

Animal studies have demonstrated evidence of fluoride’s toxic effects on brain tissue. These include brain cell damage, reduced lipid content, impairment in anti-oxidant defense systems, increased aluminum uptake, and the formation of beta-amyloid plaques. These are the plaques which are indicative of Alzheimer’s Disease. Maybe this explains why many dogs seem to prefer to drink from puddles than their own tap-filled water dishes.

Complicating the ability to control the level of fluoride is the presence in many rivers of “naturally occurring fluoride”. It has been hard to find research on the source of such “natural” fluoride, but it possibly could come from the same source as the pharmaceuticals, or from fertilized soils along the stream banks.

It appears that, whatever the agenda of the AP for its wide dissemination of the news that the presence of pharmaceuticals in our water supply is alarming, it would have done us all a service if a result is that citizens become more aware of the problems with fluoride.

At least, most kinds of water filters will filter out the fluoride and chlorine in the tap water. A more difficult problem is filtering out the other pharmaceuticals.

In-home filters come in several basic types: Reverse osmosis, carbon filters, and distillation models. Until the levels and standards have been set, comparing the abilities of the different types for filtering out drugs will be difficult.

The Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters have been very successful at filtering out toxins and contaminants and possibly will work for drugs. The problem with them is that they require good water pressure and a large volume of water, 75% of which is wasted.

Not only that, but this waste water takes in the contaminants, resulting in a much more highly condensed brew. This water goes back down the drain and into the water supply and the cycle repeats. The best way to deal with this might be to drain this water into a storage tank to be used for irrigation of one’s garden or lawn or drain it directly to an irrigation hose.

Shane Ellison, an organic chemist and author of The Hidden Truth about Cholesterol Lowering Drugs, (www.thepeopleschemist.com) , favors the five-stage RioFlow Reverse Osmosis filter, priced at about $169. When asked if one could safely run the leftover water out to the garden to irrigate fruit trees or veggies, he stated “Cellulose acts as a pretty good filter, stopping drug uptake. But I've never tested this personally. Most plants only take up water and a bit of nitrogen... Using the sun, they then make all the nutritional components ‘in-house’ so to speak... It's quite miraculous when you consider it...”

Carbon filters are used in a variety of water filters. A few carbon filter systems, depending on the makeup of their filtering material, have been certified for the removal of lead, asbestos, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), cysts, and coliform. The inorganic chemicals would not stick to the carbon, however. Another downside is that carbon filters have to be cleaned often and/or replaced to be effective.

One maker, Aquasana, states “Pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs are virtually all Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) or Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) and are effectively filtered out by our filters. The coconut shell granulated activated carbon used in all of our filters is recognized by the EPA as the best available technology for the removal of SOCs and VOCs.” They failed to mention what happens to the few inorganic chemicals, however.

Distillation units work by steaming the water and separating out the contaminants from the water. This type provides very clean water, but a charcoal filter needs to be incorporated, since toxins like chlorine can both vaporize and re-condense along with the water being cleaned. Beneficial liquid trace minerals will be lost in the distilling process, so they will have to be added back in. Electricity is also required for these units.

Another consideration is whether or not to filter ALL the water in the residence, or just the drinking water. Whole house systems are expensive, but shower filters are also effective in removing chlorine and other toxins. It is even possible to find filters that work with the tub faucet so bath water can also be chlorine-free.

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In the next few months, it can be anticipated that water filter companies will be running tests on the abilities of their filters to remove pharmaceuticals. Water companies will be fending off questions from consumers and preparing statements. It is doubtful that water companies and cities will be able to improve water quality very quickly.

Since the earlier studies, small pilot programs and one-day pickups of unused drugs have popped up in the Northeast, California, Washington, Florida, and elsewhere.

At least one state, Illinois, is now calling for a testing of water supplies for drugs. Illinois already has a disposal program for unused drugs, in an attempt to cut down the amount disposed of in toilets etc. The Illinois EPA has removed six 30-gallon drums of pharmaceuticals from its pilot program so far.

In this program, recommended by the EPA, solid waste agencies in four locations collect unused drugs from senior centers, retirement complexes, and convalescent centers in their areas. The state EPA collects unused pharmaceuticals at its twice-yearly household hazardous waste collection events. In addition, many hospitals, pharmacies and police departments offer programs to collect and dispose of unwanted drugs.

Maine recently started a four-county program in which pharmaceutical buyers will take home prepaid mailers in which they will send drug leftovers to a way station. From there, most will be picked up for transport to incinerators. Organizers intend to eventually extend the program statewide.

To dispose of unused drugs, the EPA suggests putting them among coffee grounds or kitty litter in a non-permeable container such as a coffee can before bringing them to the collection site. Some drugs should be flushed down the toilet; if so, the label should so indicate.

Montreal plans to be the first large metropolis in the world to disinfect all its waste water using ozonation, a cutting-edge technology that uses high voltages of electricity to charge oxygen molecules. This produces ozone gas which will remove bacteria, viruses, drugs and industrial chemicals dumped into the St. Lawrence River, partly by a large number of pharmaceutical plants. Although many cities already use ozonation, it has not been done with this large a volume.

In other studies, ozonation with advanced oxidation processes were found effective to reduce or eliminate the drugs in drinking water. Different pharmaceuticals require different levels of ozone applied. Ozonation plus activated carbon filtration is best for more of these. Though ozonation is cheap, the problem with using it alone is that the ozone’s effect wears off quickly.

For some drugs, like antibiotics, a good alternative is membrane filtration by RO. Nanofiltration and RO filtration were found effective in Arizona and California studies. Other research found that pre-filtration and final RO filtration was effective. Granular activated carbon combined with RO is even better.

Overall, it can be concluded that ozonation and AOPs (Advanced Oxidation Processes) are promising processes for the efficient removal of pharmaceuticals in drinking water. If all sewage treatment plants added more time for the sludge to sit, the results could be even better, as the sludge-eating micro-organisms would have more time to do their preliminary work.

If manufacturing companies must pay fines for releasing toxins into our environment, it is logical that the pharmaceutical companies should fund the cleanup of drugs from our water supply. Since the likelihood of that happening is doubtful, the consumer will bear the responsibility for providing their own filtering systems so they can feel they are doing the most possible to ensure the greatest health for their families.

Local governments will have to adopt programs such as that in Illinois. After all, the problem left untreated will only get worse. Every drug that gets filtered out re-enters the water supply by one route or another, further compounding the problem.

Researchers have made progress, though more needs to be done to find the least expensive system that will do the necessary job of delivering water that is fit to drink.

You may be surprised to know that your body's pH balance is your first defense against aging and disease. The balance of acid and alkaline in your body directly affects your health. Osteoporosis, for example, is the result of a pH balance problem. As the body becomes more acidic, it takes calcium from the bones, teeth and tissue as it tries to remain healthy. The bone mass becomes depleted, causing osteoporosis. We need calcium to bring the alkaline pH up and the acid levels down.

Although we need an alkaline-based diet for proper health, the typical American diet is full of acid-forming foods: manufactured, processed foods; high fat foods; mucus forming foods; and foods with toxic residues. In addition, stress and lack of exercise create acid-forming conditions. This is a recipe for disaster, and the reason that so many people feel unwell and lethargic.

The good news is that you can improve your health and well-being by choosing a healthy lifestyle. In the process, you'll slow down the aging process and increase your energy levels. The six keys to vibrant health are:

1. pH Body Balance - Work on a daily basis to maintain your body's pH balance. There are products available that are tasteless and colorless and can be added to water in order to restore your body's pH balance by neutralizing acids and allowing your body to detoxify.
2. Water - On a daily basis, ingest at least eight 8-ounce glasses of spring water or water pH balanced at 7 or higher.
3. Release Toxins - Every six months to a year, have a liver/gallbladder flush; have a monthly colon cleansing; and have regular, daily bowel movements through eating a diet high in fiber.
4. Digestion - Eat five to seven small meals a day. Chew slowly and completely, and stop before you are full. Take digestive enzymes and probiotics as needed.
5. Nutrition - Follow a pH balanced diet of 80 percent alkaline and no more than 20% acidic-forming foods at each meal. Eat organic foods in their natural state. Supplement your diet with a natural health supplement containing calcium, vitamins and minerals.
6. Skin Care - Your skin is the body's natural barrier to infection and it needs to be pH balanced. Clogged pores can cause toxic conditions inside the body. Choose a skin care product that cleans the skin and maintains the body's natural pH level, and that contains no animal fats, harmful chemicals, or preservatives.

Achieving natural health doesn't require a miracle; you simply must adjust your body to its proper pH balance, and provide it with the correct amounts of calcium and minerals.