It’s estimated 60% to 80% of all cancers are environmental in origin. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of chemical carcinogens in surface, ground water, and municipal treated drinking water.

However, often overlooked are the beneficial properties in drinking water that can help protect us from cancer – namely total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, and pH.

Drinking water with higher amounts of TDS and hardness results in lower heart disease and cancer mortality rates.

Fluoridation is a highly emotional and controversial issue in which it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The bottom line: Is it effective and is it safe?

Genetic damage in animals and plants has often been linkded with fluoride toxicity, congenital defects in humans and in addition to this a series of allergic reactions ranging from fatigue, urinary tract irritations, headaches, diarrhea can manifest due to polluted water.

Dr. Dean Burk, former researcher with the National Cancer Institute, claims that one tenth of all cancer deaths in this country can be shown to be linked to fluoridation of public drinking water.

Worldwide there is very little fluoridation. Countries that start usually end up stopping it. Is the chlorine in our drinking water acting as a catalyst triggering tumor development both in atherosclerosis (heart disease) and cancer? In the late 1960s Joseph Price, MD, wrote a fascinating, yet largely ignored book entitled “Coronaries, Cholesterol, Chlorine.”

His experiments clearly demonstrate that the basic cause of atherosclerosis and heart attacks and most common forms of strokes is chlorine. The chlorine contained in drinking water. Can chlorine be linked to cancer too? Chlorine combines with natural organic matter creating cancer-causing trihalomethanes (THMs).

Studies from Louisiana, New York, Maryland, and Ohio reveal where there are higher levels of THMs there are higher levels of cancer. Proper water filtration systems can remove these carcinogens.

Bottled water is big business. Bottled water usually tastes better than what comes out of the tap. But is it “healthy water?” It depends on several factors.

Is it hard? Is it moderately high in TDS (total dissolved solids)? Most bottled waters in the United States do not give the information you need to answer these questions. Many bottled waters are processed water using distillation, reverse osmosis, de-ionization or filtration. Frankly, you can do this yourself and save money.

Of the more than 700 brands of bottled water available in the US, around 80% are processed water.

Purchase only bottled natural spring or artesian well waters that come closest to the healthy water criteria hardness 170 mg/l and TDS around 300 mg/l.

Another healthy water option is using an effective filter. Mediocre, excellent, and poor filters are easily available out in the market. Most states require 3rd party testing of water products; however, most people have difficulty understanding the results.

Preliminary research suggests that the ingestion of harmful chemicals from drinking water may not be the primary exposure.

Skin absorption rates for toxic chemicals in both children and adults are much higher than from oral ingestion for toluene, ethyl benzene, and styrene.

Inhalation during showering of TCE (trichloroethylene) was 6 to 80 times greater than from drinking the water. People who are fond of hot tubs and pools take note.

One solution to consider is a whole-house filtration system for chemical removal, not mineral extraction. Point of use filters for bathing, showering, and drinking are also recommended.

What Makes Healthy Water? is from Good Health Weekly

Everyone needs to know the importance of a healthy diet. Because there are so many advantages that eating healthy food brings, it’s amazing that there are people who do not care to eat right or even don’t care what they eat at all! This is the main reason for heart problems and obesity. With all the statistics, people still don’t consider changing their eating habits.

Eating healthy food may become a struggle especially when there are so many fast food restaurants everywhere we turn. Often people make excuses like they don’t have time to get healthy food, it’s not that accessible or that they don’t know how to prepare it. However, there are just as many supermarkets that stock fresh produce as there are fast foods outlets, so accessibility is a poor excuse.

More and more children have eating problems than adults. But who is to blame for this? Can one blame the kids, or is it their parents who are the problem. Parents who have an unhealthy diet are more likely to have their children also eating this way.

When you eat healthy foods, you benefit in many ways such as ensuring a longer life, vitality, feeling happier, loosing weight and of course gaining a healthy body. Processed foods mainly result in your lifespan being reduced and so healthy eating means your body can fight illnesses and ultimately keep you alive longer. Happiness is another benefit of healthy food that acts as an anti-depressant, according to research.

Your energy levels will also drastically increase. You are likely to gain weight by eating fatty products so by cutting out the fat, you naturally loose weight. Not only will you feel good but your total appearance will improve. This means that your skin, hair and nails will look better.

It’s important to know that just eating one healthy thing a day is not going to make a major difference. For truly beneficial results, you need to device a healthy eating plan and follow it.

Mornings are really a great time to eat your healthiest. Because breakfast is so important making it healthy is vital. For a healthy choice, try a smoothie. It has loads of nutrients and taste great. Another great option is yogurt, preferably low fat and unsweetened. Plain yogurt mixed with fruit you have sliced up, works just as well. Also, try eggs and some whole wheat bread or a bran muffin for a more substantial breakfast. Cut oat fatty, greasy breakfast by having cereal and oatmeal.

For the rest of the day eat meals that contain a good amount of starch as it is packed with energy. This includes foods such as bread, cereal, rice, potatoes and pasta, but don’t eat too much though. Eat enough just for energy.

You should also try to eat as much fruits and vegetables as possible throughout the day. One should at least pack in 5 portions. Avoid eating a lot of meats; rather choose fish as a healthy alternative. Stay away from a lot of fatty and processed foods but do not cut it out completely. Lastly, drink loads of water.

Healthy Food For Healthy Eating is from Good Health Weekly