EARLY DEATH COMES FROM DRINKING DISTILLED WATER During nearly 19 years of clinical practice I have had the opportunity to observe the health effects of drinking different types of water. Most of you would agree that drinking unfiltered tap water could be hazardous to your health because of things like parasites, chlorine, fluoride and dioxins.
Many health fanatics, however, are often surprised to hear me say that drinking distilled water on a regular, daily basis is potentially dangerous.
Paavo Airola wrote about the dangers of distilled water in the 1970's when it first became a fad with the health food crowd.
Distillation is the process in which water is boiled, evaporated and the vapor condensed. Distilled water is free of dissolved minerals and, because of this, has the special property of being able to actively absorb toxic substances from the body and eliminate them.
Studies validate the benefits of drinking distilled water when one is seeking to cleanse or detoxify the system for short periods of time (a few weeks at a time).
Fasting using distilled water can be dangerous because of the rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals like magnesium, deficiencies of which can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure. Cooking foods in distilled water pulls the minerals out of them and lowers their nutrient value.
Distilled water is an active absorber and when it comes into contact with air, it absorbs carbon dioxide, making it acidic. The more distilled water a person drinks, the higher the body acidity becomes.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, "Distilled water, being essentially mineral-free, is very aggressive, in that it tends to dissolve substances with which it is in contact.
Notably, carbon dioxide from the air is rapidly absorbed, making the water acidic and even more aggressive. Many metals are dissolved by distilled water."
The most toxic commercial beverages that people consume (i.e. cola beverages and other soft drinks) are made from distilled water. Studies have consistently shown that heavy consumers of soft drinks (with or without sugar) spill huge amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals into the urine.
The more mineral loss, the greater the risk for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a long list of degenerative diseases generally associated with premature aging.
A growing number of health care practitioners and scientists from around the world have been advocating the theory that aging and disease is the direct result of the accumulation of acid waste products in the body.
There is a great deal of scientific documentation that supports such a theory. A poor diet may be partially to blame for the waste accumulation. Meats, sugar, white flour products, fried foods, soft drinks, processed foods, alcohol, dairy products and other junk foods cause the body to become more acidic. Stress, whether mental or physical can lead to acid deposits in the body.
There is a correlation between the consumption of soft water (distilled water is extremely soft) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Cells, tissues and organs do not like to be dipped in acid and will do anything to buffer this acidity including the removal of minerals from the skeleton and the manufacture of bicarbonate in the blood.
The longer one drinks distilled water, the more likely the development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state. I have done well over 3000 mineral evaluations using a combination of blood, urine and hair tests in my practice. Almost without exception, people who consume distilled water exclusively, eventually develop multiple mineral deficiencies.
Those who supplement their distilled water intake with trace minerals are not as deficient but still not as adequately nourished in minerals as their non-distilled water drinking counterparts even after several years of mineral supplementation.
The ideal water for the human body should be alkaline and this requires the presence of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Distilled water tends to be acidic and can only be recommended as a way of drawing poisons out of the body. Once this is accomplished, the continued drinking of distilled water is a bad idea.
... Disease and early death is more likely to be seen with the long term drinking of distilled water. Avoid it except in special circumstances.
Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc
REFERENCES
Airola, P. 1974. How To Get Well. Phoenix, AZ: Health Plus Publishers.
Baroody, Dr. Theodore A. Jr. Alkalinize or Die. California:Portal Books, 1995.
Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. The Complete Guide to Diet & Nutritional Medicine. Berkeley, California:Celestial Arts, 1992; p. 22.
Rona, Zoltan P. and Martin, Jeanne Marie. Return to the Joy of Health, Vancouver: Alive Books, 1995.
Rona, Zoltan P. Childhood Illness and The Allergy Connection. Rocklin, California:Prima Books, 1996.
WHATS IN YOUR WATER? By: Jan Schwickerath
What you are about to read may change the way you feel around water. Considering that water is a life-source, and that the human body is 70% water, it is upsetting to realize that most of the water we encounter daily is polluted, chemically altered, or otherwise unappealing for human consumption. Imagine the implications if people had the power to transform their water. Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto has found that water exposed to positive frequencies, known in Japanese as Hado, forms beautiful, complex crystals when fozen. While water exposed to negative hado forms non-crystalline, amoebae-like formations. Dr. Emoto has committed his life to this research and is changing the way people feel and think about water.
In April 2004, Beyond Words Publishing released the English translation of Dr. Emoto’s book for over 10 years and has some startling information about its receptivity. This full color book abounds with photos of beautiful water crystals that display how water reacts to different sound frequencies from words, music, thoughts, and emotions. Visually astonishing examples prove that water can be turned into a positive life affirming substance.
Dr. Emoto originally self-published his books in Japan. They began to sell by word of mouth after the first copies went out to friends and acquaintances. His books were so well received in his home country that there was soon after interest from around the world and international demand for his research. This spring, Dr. Emoto was also not surprised, but rather pleased, to find his research featured in the five time award-winning film “What the (Bleep) Do We Know”, which explores the growing convergence of leading edge science – quantum physics, neurology, neurobiology – and spirituality. As a direct result of the film, Messages As could be expected, the conventional wisdom in Hollywood was “No one will pay to see a movie about physics and spirituality.” Guess again. They’ve been lining up around the block wherever the movie is shown. For good reason ….
“What the Bleep” combines a live action dramatic narrative starring Academy Awardwinner Marlee Matlin, with interviews of 14 top scientists including Dr. John Hagelin who appears on this month’s cover of Healthy Wealthy nWise, mystics, visionaries and state-of-the-art animation to realize the radical knowledge that modern science has unearthed in recent years. The result is a stunning cinematic experience that leaves audience members gathering in the lobby and outside the theater after the film to discuss it, and returning for a second and third viewing. The feature is part interviews, part story, and part elaborate and inspiring visual effects and animations. It’s the kind of feature film that’s literally never been seen before …revolutionary, not only in its content, but in its unique form. In the story, the protagonist, Amanda, finds herself in a fantastic “Alice in Wonderland” experience. Her daily, uninspired life literally begins to unravel, revealing the uncertain world of…what physicists define as “the quantum field” hidden behind what we consider to be our normal, waking reality.
The fourteen top scientists and mystics who are interviewed serve as a modern day Greek Chorus. Their ideas are woven together as a tapestry of scientific truth, pointing to the interconnectedness of all things. Powerful animated sequences explore the inner-workings of the human brain, as well as the smallest form of consciousness in the body – the cell. These dazzling visuals reinforce the film’s message with humor, precision, and irreverence. The three independent filmmakers – Will Arntz, Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente –present the astounding information in an entertaining and enlightening way, using the language of science to describe the non-physical world, instead of the language of religion. The premiere was held over in Portland, Oregon for 20 weeks and it has since been held over in every city in which it has opened. “What the Bleep” has been so wildly popular that it has been picked up for distribution by Samuel Goldwyn. It is scheduled to open in hundreds of theatres nationwide by fall. For the most current theatre schedule, visit the website at www.whatthebleep.com.
In an attempt to show that science and spirituality are not mutually exclusive schools of thought, “What the Bleep” prominently features the water crystal photo’s taken by Dr. Masaru Emoto. The efforts of Dr. Emoto’s research coincide with the most recent research of quantum physics, as well as Dr. Noelle Nelson’s research about the power of appreciation. Dr. Emoto uses scientific research to prove that the powers of thought and intention are the greatest tools for helping us shape our realities. “According to the teachings of Buddhism, everything in the world is constantly changing, and nothing ever changes. Speaking from the principles of vibration, the energy of vibration must go on forever in continuous motion. Understanding that everything exists in this one moment will give hope and light to your life. You no longer need to be troubled by the past, and can know that the future can be anything that you will it to be. You, as you are, in this very moment hold the key…Traditionally speaking, anyone who says that consciousness has an effect on the physical world risks certain ostracization for being unscientific. However, science has progressed to a point where the failure to understand consciousness and the mind limits our understanding of much of the world around us. Quantum mechanics, certain psychological theories (such as the flow talked about by Jung), and genetic engineering have all taught us that there is a world other than the one we know so well. You can’t see this other world with your eyes, and you can’t touch it with your fingers. It’s a world in which time itself does not exist…
Based on this theory, the world is changing every moment, and being created anew. Our consciousness has a role to play in this creation of the world. If you become aware of this, I suspect that your life will never be the same.” (from Is it possible that our words, thoughts, and actions have an influence on the universe? Is it possible that we can make a change by actively and consciously forming a perspective of gratitude and love? Is it possible that water is receptive to humans and reflects how powerful we are in intention and potential? It is possible according to Carolyn Myss and Dr. Norman Shealy who endorse Dr. Emoto’s book, Messages in Water other with our thoughts and words, just as we affect the water in our cities and homes. Blending science and spirituality, Dr. Emoto shows that as we hone our power to create our reality, moment by moment, so too can we impact the way all humans interact, and the future of the world that is about to unfold.
BOTTLED WATER FACTS
1. We are what we drink…
Our bodies are nothing but a constant flow of water. 95% of our blood, 75% of our brain, and even 22% of our bones is water. Water like air is essential for the healthy functioning of our body. We can survive several weeks without food, but not more than a few days without water. (Source: Australian Bottled Water Industry website)
Health and nutrition experts recommend we drink at least 2 liters of water every day. Good quality drinking water should provide us with essential minerals and nutrients. Contaminated water can cause disease.
2. Tap water, is it safe to drink?
Sydney tap water flows through over 20,000 kms of mains pipe before it is drunk; some of these pipelines are more than a century old and are decaying. This makes the water’s journey a perilous one which can add bacteria, heavy metals and other contaminants to the chemical cocktail coming from the treatment plants….. Please read more in “The Daily Telegraph” August 4 1998 article “Slime On Tap”. In addition to this every year around 80,000 tons of poisonous and reactive chemicals are added to Australia’s drinking water supply to make it safe for human consumption. Tap water is nothing but a “Chemical Cocktail”
Adding chemicals to our drinking water will lead to the same sort of cancer epidemics in Australia they’ve now got in the US. There’s a growing view among environmental scientists that high cancer rates in certain cities relate to the fact that they’ve been drinking a chemical cocktail for the past few decades. – By Professor Harry Recher, Australian, 12 March 1991.
3. Chlorination linked to killer disease.
Chlorine is one of the most reactive elements in nature. It is only found in free form in volcanic gas. Chlorine dissolves in water, to form hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions. Water is chlorinated by adding chlorine gas to it or by adding calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine has been linked to high blood pressure, anemia and diabetes; it contributes to heart disease by causing thickening of the arteries. Chlorine has been added to public drinking water without a study into its harmful effects. The term “chlorinated water” is misleading, as the final product is not water, but a dilute solution of hypochlorous acid.
This reactivity of chlorine is both a blessing and a curse, chlorine kills bacteria, but some of the chlorine reactions can generate potentially hazardous chemicals.
4. By products of chlorination are carcinogenic…
Hundreds of potentially hazardous chemicals and gases are produced when elemental chlorine spontaneously reacts with natural organic contaminants such as decaying leaves, ash from bush fires and pollen present in water. Their organochlorine offspring are known as disinfection byproducts. Several are classified as cancer causing agents or carcinogens. Among these are volatile organic gases or THM’s, these include chloroform, bromoform and bromodichloromethane. Chlorinated tap water has also been linked to cancer, immune disorders, miscarriages and birth abnormalities.
In March 2001 a group of 43 Canadian women formed a THM Victim’s Group to bring a legal action against a city of Chesapeake. Their claims include charges that city and health officials concealed test information on THM levels and failed to provide adequate warning of elevated levels of THM’s in the water and failed to disclose to the public the association between THM’s and miscarriages, still birth and birth defects.
Expert consultant Dwyer Leslie warned Sydney Water in 1991: Available evidence suggests that chlorine by-products may have significant health impact with a role in causation of some cancers (colon and bladder). It is now considered that perhaps THM’s are a lesser problem than Mutagen X (MX), which has a considerable mutagenic potential and wider distribution.
By 1993 experts had learned to test for MX more effectively and expanded their understanding of its effects – Chlorinated drinking water was found to be mutagenic and a number of compounds responsible were identified. One of these, MX, has shown to account for 30-60% of mutagenic activity detected in drinking water… Target organs appear to be bladder, urinary tract and gastro-intestinal tract.
So what is your safety conscious water authority doing about limiting the formation of MX in your tap water? … Sydney On Tap by John Archer 1998.
CANCER DRUGS FOUND IN TAP WATER 
Traces of cancer and psychiatric drugs were found in Britain’s tap water, according to a 100-page report commissioned by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
Despite extensive purification treatments used by water companies, traces of bleomycin, a cancer chemotherapy drug, and diazepam, a sedative, have been found in the drinking water.
Though experts say the drug levels are too low to pose a direct health risk, concerns have been raised about exposing pregnant women to the drugs, which could harm an unborn child.
A separate study by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, Oxfordshire also revealed that chemotherapy drugs are being washed into Britain’s rivers. The report estimated that an adult who drinks more than three pints of water a day would receive doses of the drugs between 300 and 30,000 times lower than recommended safety levels each week.
Still, some experts are worried.
"There is not evidence to show that drinking water treatment removes all these drugs, so while we are not wanting to alarm people, it would be foolish to assume there is no risk,” said scientist Andrew Johnson, who led the Wallingford study.
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