Hidden Toxins in Your Water + Why You Need a Quality Water Filtration System
Did you know that there are hidden toxins in your tap water? Drinking plenty of water is vital for life. Yet, fluoride, aluminum, chlorine, arsenic, and other chemical residues in your city tap water can potentially harm your health and increase your risk of cancer. To remove these chemicals, improve your water quality, and protect your health, using a quality water filtration system is critical.
Today, I want to talk about the importance of water filtration. You will learn about the importance of drinking water. You will learn about chemicals and toxins hiding in your tap water. Finally, I will recommend a water filtration system to improve your water quality and protect your health.
Importance of Drinking Water
Drinking enough water every day is critical for your health and well-being. Dehydration can cause overheating, unclear thinking, mood fluctuation, constipation, kidney problems, and other health issues.
Drinking enough water is essential for (1, 2, 3):
Detoxification and removing waste and toxins from your body
Regulating your body temperature
Improving energy
Supporting brain function and cognition
Supporting mood and mental health
Lubricating and cushioning your joints
Protecting your tissues
Protecting your spinal cord
Supporting digestion, absorption, and elimination
Supporting the immune system
Improving skin
Preventing dehydration
How Much Water Should I Drink
Drinking water is vital for your health. But how much water should you really drink to avoid dehydration and support optimal health?
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should drink about 15.5 cups of water (125 oz), and women should drink 11.5 cups of water (91 oz) each day (4). Of course, this depends on many factors, including height, weight, physical activity, and health. If you exercise a lot, do physical labor, spend time outside in the hot sun, live in a humid climate, get sick, or feel dehydrated, you need to drink more water.
I generally recommend starting your day with 16 to 32 oz of water. Add some lemon juice for taste and to get your digestive juices flowing in the morning. Aim to drink about a glass of water every hour. You may add some lemon, cucumber slices, or berries for taste and extra nutrients. For additional hydration, try some herbal tea, green juices, green smoothies, soups, or hydrating vegetables and fruits.
Hidden Toxins in Your Water
Drinking enough water is not enough. The kind of water you are drinking matters too. Environmental toxins are everywhere around us. Unfortunately, our water is no exception. You may not know this, but invisible industrial toxins are hiding in your tap water.
Toxins and chemicals are, of course, not good news for your health. Yet, you cannot avoid water. Water is essential for life. Ideally, we would all be drinking unadulterated and pure natural spring water. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have access to such pure natural springs. Spring Water sold at the store is usually packaged in toxic plastic packages. And in many cases, it doesn’t even contain any actual spring water despite the label (5).
We rely on tap water for our water supply. Unfortunately, tap water is loaded with toxic contaminants and chemicals that can harm your health. In this next section, I want to go over the potential chemical in your tap water. Then I will offer you a simple and accessible solution to drink purified, filtered water to protect your body from toxins.
Fluoride
I’ve already discussed the dangers of fluoride in my article on holistic dental care. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, plants, rocks, air, and your bones and teeth. Conventional healthcare and dentistry believe that fluoride is safe and essential for dental health; thus, our tap water and dental care products are loaded with fluoride. However, fluoride is an endocrine disruptor and may have serious negative effects on your health (6, 7).
High fluoride exposure may increase your risk of various health issues, including cognitive problems, diabetes, hormonal issues, and cancer. A 1995 study published in Neurotoxicity and Teratology has found that fluoride exposure during the prenatal period may increase the risk of hyperactivity and cognitive issues (8). According to a 2017 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, fluoride exposure in children may affect cognition and intelligence (9). A2015 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research has found that higher levels of fluoride in water may increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes (10). A 1993 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Fluoride has found that fluoride exposure may increase the risk of cancer (11).
Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, plants, rocks, air, and animals. However, it is also a harmful and carcinogenic agent that can increase your risk of cancer and other health issues. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) understands this risk. In 2001, they reduced the maximum permitted level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 ug/L to 10 ug/L to reduce cancer risk (12).
This is, however, not enough. According to the Natural Resources Defense, about 56 million people in 25 states across the United States still drink unsafe arsenic levels through city tap water (13). Considering the health risks, this is unacceptable. A 2003 review published in Toxicology Pathology has found that arsenic may increase the risk of cancer, including skin, liver, colon, bladder, and kidney cancer (14). According to a 2004 review published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, arsenic toxicity may increase cancer risk (15). Ideally, you would have absolutely no arsenic in your tap water, let alone over 10 ug/L.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical used to sterilize water. You are probably familiar with the chlorine smell of public swimming pools. It is also used in our tap water. Considering the risk of infectious diseases through contamination, city tap water should absolutely be sterilized. The problem with the use of chlorine is that it’s not filtered out of the water before landing in your cup. Drinking chlorine in tap water can have various adverse health effects.
Chlorine in tap water can compromise your gut’s microbiome and cause microbiome imbalance. It may compromise your immune health and increase your risk of immune health issues. According to a 2013 research published in Environmental Health Perspectives, chlorine increases your risk of cancer (16). According to a 2016 review published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, chlorine is the most dangerous in the form of chlorine vapor and chloroform gas (17). It can increase the risk of respiratory issues, airway inflammation, respiratory allergies, asthma, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a toxic heavy metal. Unfortunately, our tap water is loaded with aluminum. According to a 2007 review published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, aluminum can pose a serious health risk (18). It may increase the risk of gastrointestinal, neurological, and liver issues. A 2011 study published in Experimental Cell Research has found that aluminum exposure may lead to oxidative stress and liver damage (19).
Aluminum may reduce the absorption of zinc, selenium, and phosphorus, which are all essential for your immune health. Aluminum also competes with calcium for skeletal absorption; thus, it may decrease skeletal mineralization. According to a 2009 study published in Pediatrics, aluminum exposure in infants may be detrimental to their bone health (20).
Prescription Medication and OCTs
Unfortunately, by drinking tap water, you are also at risk of being exposed to prescription and over-the-counter (OCT) medications that you are not actually supposed to be taking yourself. Increased exposure to these medications. According to a 2010 report published in Health Perspectives, medications found in tap water may include OCT pain relievers, antidepressants, birth control pills, blood pressure and cholesterol medications, and antibiotics (21). According to a 2010 report published in Environmental Health Perspectives, this is a serious health risk (22). In some people, certain medications may cause serious allergic reactions even when heavily diluted in water. Exposure to these medications may also disrupt your gut microbiome and hormonal health.
Disinfectant Byproducts
Chlorine is not the only chemical used for disinfecting your tap water. Some other toxic chemicals may include trihalomethanes, halogenic acetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and haloketones. Exposure to these disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) is another concern when it comes to drinking tap water. DBPs can be much more harmful to your health than chlorine. According to a 2007 review published in Mutation Research, DBPs increase the risk of liver, kidney, and nervous system damage and the risk of cancer affecting these organs (23).
The Importance of Using a Water Filter
As you can see, tap water is full of toxins and can harm your health. Using a high-quality water filtration system is critical for removing toxins and ensuring safe, clean drinking water. Choosing the right water filter is critical, though.
Cheaper water filters only remove certain chemicals. However, quality water filtration systems can remove fluoride, chlorine, DBPs, pesticide, medication residue, and other toxins.
Berkey Water Filter System
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I highly recommend and personally use the Berkey water filter system. This water filter has a powerful ability to remove chlorine and other chemical toxins. It also helps to remove harmful bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. Yet, it leaves in the essential minerals you need for your health.
The Berkey distinguishes itself from other brands by its PF line of filters. This filter has an increased ability to remove fluoride and arsenic from your water. The filter lasts up to 3000 gallons of water, which is a lot more than most water filters. Yet, the Berkey water filter system is incredibly affordable. It comes in various sizes, from travel size to 6 gallons, to fit all your needs.
Invigorated Water
Invigorated Water Filters are another water filtration system I love. These water filters effectively remove fluoride, chlorine, other chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals from your water. They remove bad taste and odor. They increase the alkalinity of your water up to pH 10 creating high-alkaline water to help reduce inflammation and support immunity They also add healthy minerals to your body for optimal health and wellness. These high-quality, long-life water filters are easy to set up, simple to use, and highly affordable.
They have a water filter solution for all your needs. I love their stylish Water Filter Bottles. I keep one in my car and at my desk and take them on my trips. I used their Water Pitchers in my kitchen every day. Along with the Countertop Filters, they are a particularly great option if you don’t have water filtration on your tap.
If you want to get serious, however, I highly recommend their Faucet and Tap Filter in your kitchen and bathroom. These filters purify and alkalize your tap water and ensure that you not only drink filtered water but used clean water even when doing the dishes or washing your hands. For a complete home water filtration system, I recommend their Shower Filter. By using water filtration all over your home, you will reduce your exposure to toxins and chemicals inside your body and on your skin.
Closing Recommendations
Fluoride, aluminum, chlorine, arsenic, and other chemical toxins hiding in your city tap water can potentially harm your health and increase your risk of cancer. To remove these chemicals, improve your water quality, and protect your health, using a quality water filtration system is critical. I highly recommend the Berkey water filter system and/or the Invigorated Water Filters for healthier water and better health."
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are based on personal experiences, opinions, and my own research. Information on this website is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, replace, treat or cure any medical or mental health condition. Please see your doctor with any health-related questions. Statements on this website have not been approved or evaluated by the FDA. While perusing this site, please use your best judgment in conjunction with your Naturopath or other health care provider.
