Liquid Gold, Liquid Life -- Water That's Safe to Drink

By James LaValle, R.Ph, CCN, ND

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.]

Cutting Edge Fitness: Trick #4 to Boost Your Metabolism: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate By Carlo X. Alvarez

Who would have thought that something as easy as drinking enough water would help you lose weight? Well, it's true. Studies show that adequate hydration levels will increase muscular endurance which has a direct impact on higher metabolism. As described in previous articles, metabolism is the rate at which energy is created and expended.

Scott et al.¹ discovered that under-hydration negatively affects phosphor-creatine production in endurance exercise. This means that less energy is available for use. If lower hydration levels affect this critical chemical in energy production, metabolism in turn will be negatively affected.

To figure your individual water intake divide your weight by 2.2 and that's how many ounces of water you should have per day.

With the start of a resistance training program, more water will be lost through sweat, which means water levels will have to increase. And you should also avoid caffeinated beverages due to their diuretic effect it on the body.

A good rule of thumb is that thirst/dry mouth and anything darker than clear urine is the best indication of dehydration.

Reference

1. Mountain,S.J et al. Journal of Applied Physiology.Vol. 84, Issue 6, 1889-1894, June 1998. April 22, 2008.

[Ed. note: Carlo X. Alvarez is a noted authority in the customized fitness and sports performance field. He is recognized for his integrated and systematic approach to training, based on a foundation of safe and proven methodology that has direct and measurable benefits to performance. To learn more, click here.]

Nutrients & Health: Staying Healthy in a Toxic Environment By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

We live in an environment that continues to dump toxins into our air, water, and food. A growing body of evidence has shown the negative impact of different classes of toxins on human health. Are we being affected, is no longer a useful question. What to do about it is.

I'm a dietitian at LMI, working in partnership with clinicians that really understand the role of environmental toxins in a number of health conditions. I've seen patients with conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol significantly improve their health by taking steps to help rid their bodies of toxins.

My first advice to anyone concerned about the potential impact of toxins on their metabolism would be to find a professional clinician knowledgeable in integrative or functional medicine. S/he can measure the levels of toxic chemicals in your body, design a safe and controlled detox program, and closely monitor your health during this entire process.

Unfortunately, there's almost no way to completely avoid exposure to environmental toxins. Even the residents of pristine rural communities who tested their blood for its "body burden" of industrial chemicals were stunned at the unpleasant results. They found mercury, bisphenol A, phthalates, PFOA, PDBE's, and several more.

So what can you do right now to safeguard your family's health? You can reduce your exposure to some of these chemicals by selecting clothing and furniture without fire retardants, using stainless steel cookware instead of non-stick, and heating and microwaving in glass and ceramic rather than plastic. But how do you avoid pollutants you don't even know are there. Unfortunately, you can't.

But you can choose to eat foods that are known to enhance your body's ability to remove toxins. Today I'm beginning with a familiar herb that's a "detox superstar" -- cilantro, also known as Chinese parsley. Most of us are familiar with cilantro as it's used in Mexican foods -- but it's also an ingredient in some Asian dishes like Vietnamese soups.

Cilantro has been shown to help the body eliminate heavy metals, and it's one of the few substances known to be effective in removing mercury. We've known for years that heavy metals like lead and mercury are neurotoxins, and particularly dangerous to human health. They interfere with our thyroid hormones and other important metabolic enzymes, and cause a lot of free radical damage.

Cilantro appears to actually change the chemical properties of these minerals. It's also exceptionally rich in phytonutrients. Finally, it contains important trace minerals like iron, magnesium, and the manganese used in one of the very best enzymes your body makes for detoxification and free radical neutralization!

Cilantro has a sharp pungent flavor. Some people enjoy its taste all on its own, but I prefer it chopped up in salads, salad dressings, salsas, soups, etc. You can also make an "alternative pesto" -- substitute cilantro for basil and your favorite nuts and seeds for pine nuts -- pistachios, sunflower seeds, and/or cashews are great choices.

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention. To learn more, click here.]

Healthy Recipes: Chili Lime Grilled Chicken: A Metabolic Code Recipe By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

A delicious marinade of lime juice and healing herbs makes this Mexican-inspired grilled chicken recipe a perfect choice for a weekend cookout with friends. And best of all, it's a really tasty way to use the "heavy metal removing herb," cilantro.

Excellent source of vitamin B6, niacin, and selenium
Good source of riboflavin, pantothenic acid, zinc, and vitamin C

Serves 6

Ingredients:*
1 3- to 4-lb organic chicken cut up with skin on (or one packaged chicken, already cut up)
3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
3 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
2 T. cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4cup grape seed oil

*Use organic ingredients for optimal nutrition.

Directions:
Wash chicken parts and pat dry with paper towels. Mix together minced garlic, sea salt, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro and rub well over each chicken piece. Combine lime juice, coconut oil and grape seed oil and pour over chicken in pan. Marinate overnight or as long as you can prior to cooking. Remove chicken from pan and allow marinade to drip off. Grill chicken parts over hot coals or on gas grill at lowest setting for approximately 40 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.

This recipe is more flavorful if you do the preparation the night before, allowing the chicken to marinate in the garlic and spices. However, it's still very tasty even if you do the preparation right before cooking.

Recipe Nutrient Analysis:
336 calories, 23 g. total fat, 8 g. saturated fat, 6 g. monounsaturated fat, 6 g. polyunsaturated fat, 88 mg. cholesterol, 4 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. fiber, 1g. sugar, 28 g. protein, 510 IU vitamin A, .2 mg riboflavin, 9 mg niacin, .5 mg vitamin B6, .3 mcg vitamin B12, 1 mg pantothenic acid, 10 mg vitamin C, 9 mcg folate, 30 mg calcium, 189 mg phosphorus, 280 mg sodium, 300 mg potassium, 27 mg magnesium, 24 mcg selenium, 2 mg zinc, 1.7 mg iron.

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 05-06-08] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/