Coming clean on water
With access to clean drinking water being mandated by our various levels of government, we often take our H2O for granted. But research shows that most municipal water fails to meet the legislated standards for PH levels, contamination, and bacteria. Worse, our water can be laced with drugs, chemicals and other toxic impurities. Dr. Ronald Klatz, President of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine estimates that 99% of Americans have toxins from drinking water stored in their fatty tissue. Canadian statistics are likely not far off.

It also doesn’t help that dirty water just simply tastes bad, which makes it a whole lot harder to drink – and that’s a problem. Dehydration has been linked to everything from fatigue to significant health problems. It is a factor in impaired immune system function; the build up of toxins; and decreased levels of energy-enhancing oxygen in your cells. A lack of hydration also contributes to an acidic body, which is a factor in acid reflux, arthritis, cancer and a host of other conditions.

Healing waters of Japan
The World Health Organization has rated the Japanese number one in the world for health and longevity. It’s likely not a coincidence that the Japanese have studied the healing properties of water, as well as researching what separates ‘ordinary’ water from water with health-producing benefits.

Since 1965, ionized water has been used in Japanese hospitals and medical centres to detoxify and promote healing. Ionization is a complex process that changes the electrical structure of water by creating highly negatively-charged ions. They bond to positively-charged free radicals and are eliminated as waste. Free radicals are a factor in the creation of body acidity and oxidative damage, and contribute to aging and disease. Drinking ionized water has the potential to boost the body’s ability to reduce the number of damaging free radicals. On the other hand, bottled water, tap water, and reverse osmosis water are not ionized and have little or no positive effect on free radicals.

A high-quality ionization machine also produces water with antioxidant properties exceeding the well-known antioxidants Vitamin C and green tea. Ionized water can help remove acid build up, and may improve symptoms associated with illnesses known to flourish in an acidic body. Ionization levels are measured in ORP units (oxidization reduction potential) with an ORP meter. The higher the negative ORP level, the more antioxidant reduction potential a product has. Look for an ORP meter at your local pool supply store.

Alkaline vs. Acid
In choosing a premium water, you also want to determine its PH level. The PH scale runs from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. Rankings below 7 on the scale are acidic and above 7 are considered alkaline. Scientists have determined the human body operates optimally at a slightly alkaline level, somewhere between 7.0 and 7.4 on the scale. Drinking alkaline water with PH level between 7.5 and 9.5 can produce dramatic improvements in cellular hydration levels, resulting in improved mental clarity, energy, and appetite in the short term. Long-term benefits include a reduction in the chances of developing more serious medical conditions.

Use PH drops or strips, available at swimming pool supply stores, to ensure the alkaline PH of your water is between 7.5 and 9.5.

The choice is clear: good quality water plays an important role in achieving optimum health. Drink up! 

H&L

Wade McNutt, CSNA, Author, 3-Time Canadian Natural Bodybuilding Champion and Director of Human Performance Yaletown Holistics, Vancouver BC, www.yaletownholistics.com