Are you getting
enough water?

BY SHARON L HAGEMANN, ND, DO, CH

The average adult’s body is composed of approximately 70 percent water, while the total body water content of infants and children is even greater. Although the human body is able to abstain from food for long periods of time, we can only survive for a few days without water. Water is vital, and responsible for many of the bodily functions such as digestion, absorption, circulation and excretion.

Most of us are aware of the concept of drinking at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day. While 64 ounces of water per day is a good goal, in reality, the amount of water we should drink varies greatly with our level of activity. Although you probably drink some water, most of us prefer juices, tea, coffee or soft drinks. And while it is true that these beverages contain water, they may also contain dehydrating agents such as caffeine, which is a diuretic. This results in the body eliminating not only the water that these dehydrating agents are dissolved in, but some of the water reserves of the body.

Dehydration is the extreme lack of water and can become life threatening. Medical professionals are able to recognize this and treat it with appropriate intravenous fluids.

Beyond the risks of not ingesting enough water, we also need to concern ourselves with the health hazards of many contaminants. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two waterborne parasites that live in animals and can be passed into water through their waste. Chlorine, added to drinking water to kill bacteria, can react with organic materials found in the water to form trihalomethanes. These compounds have been associated with increased risk of cancers in the bladder, colon and rectum.

So, it appears that while drinking water is needed for optimum health, avoiding water from your kitchen sink is also prudent. With this in mind, let us briefly look at some of the water available to us in our local stores, and the ways by which purification is attempted.

Bottled Water — “Bottled water” is classified as such if it meets all applicable federal standards, is sealed in a sanitary container and is sold for human consumption. Flavors in the form of extracts or essences, derived from spice or fruit, may be added, but bottled water cannot contain sweeteners or chemical additives. It is usually classified by its source, mineral content and possibly by the type of treatment it has undergone. Following are some of the most common types of bottled water, with a brief description of how each is purified.

Deionized/Demineralized Water — Water is deionized by neutralizing the electric charge of a molecule of water by the addition or removal of electrons. This process safely removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium nitrates and heavy metals such as cadmium and lead. It does not, however, remove synthetic chemicals such asherbicides, pesticides and industrial solvents. Additionally, there are claims that the resin beds of the deionizer become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

Steam Distillers — Steam distillers vaporize water by boiling it. As the steam rises, it leaves behind most of the bacteria, viruses, chemicals, minerals and pollutants from the water. Instead of attempting to remove the contaminants from the water, steam distillation actually removes the water from the contaminants.

Mineral Water — In order to be considered mineral water, water must be bottled directly at the source, usually at natural springs in either Europe or Canada. No minerals may be added and only minerals and trace elements from its source are contained in it. The water must flow freely from its source and cannot be pumped or forced from the ground. Mineral content will vary, depending upon the source. Most mineral waters are carbonated.

Spring Water — Spring water is water that rises naturally to the earth’s surface from underground reservoirs. However, since there is no legal definition of the word “spring,” a bottle of natural spring water may not have come from a spring at all. Check the label, as most companies will list their water source there.

Filtration — Filters can be used to remove contaminants in water, thus rendering the water cleaner and better tasting. There are a large variety of filters made from many different materials. Water filtration systems vary greatly in their effectiveness and are not able to remove all contaminants. The pores of even the best filters are not impermeable to all viruses. To ensure the best quality water with filtration systems, look for those with an absolute pore size of one micron or smaller and one that has a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) rating for parasite reduction.

Reverse Osmosis — Reverse osmosis is a process where water is demineralized, using a semi permeable membrane at high pressure. This allows water molecules to pass through, while acting as a barrier to dissolved solids, resulting in separating the pure water from salt and other contaminants. When functioning properly, reverse osmosis will remove all microorganisms from tap water and produce sterile water.

While many water purification systems can be costly, each has unique advantages and disadvantages that may make one system more suitable for your particular family. If you are considering the purchase of one, you will need to evaluate each, extensively.

Regardless of your decision, I would like to encourage you to provide good, clean water for your family and make sure that they drink plenty of it. This is a very simple, yet important step in improving their health. And, since the quality of tap water varies and water that may be hazardous to your health can look, taste and smell just fine, you will want to provide the purist form.