We live on a heavily industrialized planet inhabited by an ever increasing population. Here in the US, rivers and lakes may no longer carry cholera and typhoid fever, but keeping our supply of water safe still requires constant vigilance.

Water is, without question, the single most important “nutrient” with which you “feed” your body. And that’s why some recent articles in the news are so disturbing. The Associated Press just reported the results of a 5-month study on the quality of tap water across all 50 states.6 Of the 62 major water providers contacted, only 28 were testing their water at all. The results from those that did test were shocking:

• 56 pharmaceuticals or their by-products were found in Philadelphia’s water
• Anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medications were found in southern California’s
• An antibiotic and two other medications were in Tucson’s
• A sex hormone was found in San Francisco’s
• 6 different pharmaceutical drugs were in Washington DC’s

Next we hear that the Canadian Government has decided to list bisphenol A (BPA) as a toxic substance1 and ban the use of polycarbonate (plastic) baby bottles. BPA is the ingredient in nearly every plastic bottle that makes it light, clear, and shatterproof. This includes the bottled water that costs us more per gallon than gas.

BPA is also an “endocrine disrupter,” meaning it mimics the effects of your natural hormones and can change the way your endocrine system functions. A rapidly growing body of scientific evidence shows the harmful effects of very small amounts of BPA on laboratory animals,2 but to date too few studies have been done on its effects on humans.

The European Food Safety Authority and our own FDA, relying on animal studies funded by the American Chemistry Council, continue to (officially) question whether BPA presents any health threat to humans. But the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has just warned us that BPA can leach into our foods and liquids, and “the possibility that BPA may alter human development cannot be dismissed.”3

Many independent researchers are also concerned. They believe that it may be linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, miscarriage, insulin resistance, and obesity in adults. In children, BPA appears to be linked to neurological disorders.4

So what’s a health conscious person to do?

Well first and foremost, we’re going to remain committed to proper hydration because getting enough water into our bodies is just too important. Sixty percent of your entire body is water. Your brain is almost 70% and your lungs nearly 90%.5 Your blood which is 83% water carries nutrients to every cell in your body, removes waste products and toxins from your metabolic environment, and helps to maintain your body temperature.

However, you can better protect your family by providing them with water that’s been properly purified. Different types of home water filters are now available across a wide range of prices, but the most thorough systems work by “reverse osmosis (RO).” RO systems use high pressure to force water through a series of “semi-permeable” membranes and significantly reduce the levels of inorganic materials like nitrates, chlorides, and other contaminants.

The filters on these systems must be changed frequently for optimal performance. Substances collected in the membranes can create the same breeding ground for bacteria as in any other water filter if they are not regularly replaced. The available water pressure, temperature, pH, bacteria, dissolved solids, and the level of chemical contamination in the water under filtration all have an effect on their overall performance.

You must follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully, and be diligent in its maintenance. Nonetheless, a five-stage RO system provides the highest quality and most consistent water-filtration results at an affordable price.

One last piece of advice about water — How much should you be drinking? A good formula should take into account your weight, your climate, and your level of exercise. The most common recommendation is 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day. I have found that this really does satisfy most people’s needs, especially those who also eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

References

1. It’s Official: Bisphenol A, a dangerous substance, The Globe & Mail, 4/18/08
2. Richter, CA et al. 2007 Reproductive Toxicology 24: 199-224.
3. The bisphenol a blues, Salon.com, 4/18/08 accessed 4/29/08
4. vom Saal, FS, et al, 2007. Reproductive Toxicology 24:131-138.http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/10/pharma.water1.ap/
5. USGS, Water Science for Schools, accessed 4/29/08.
6. http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/10/pharma.water1.ap/

[Ed. Note: Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician and industry consultant in the field of integrative healthcare. He is a licensed pharmacist, board certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, LaValle has authored 13 books, including his latest, Cracking the Metabolic Code. For more information, click here.]

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