Integrative Health Blog

How the Environment Can Impact Your Health: What’s in Your Water?

Posted by on Tue, Feb 09, 2016

Edited: November 11, 2021

It depends.

If you use tap water, you can find out relatively easily by perusing the website of your local water utility. Local water utility websites (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, and Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission, for example) and EPA.gov contain a wealth of information on regulated contaminants, like lead and coli-form bacteria (like E. Coli), and on currently unregulated (but periodically tested for) contaminants, like chromium 6 (entered into popular culture by the movie Erin Brockovich) and strontium.

If you use well water, testing every few years by a laboratory certified to do so should disclose the contents of the water, the results of which are subject to activity or industry near your property, above or underground. 

What does this have to do with your health?

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Tags: water, detoxification, toxins

Drinking with Purpose: 12 Ways to Maximize Your Water

Posted by on Wed, Mar 12, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water is essential for optimal health.

Every cell in your body needs water to function.

It is important to understand the quantity of water, as you drink it, and the quality of water.

Not only are you drinking it everyday but you are bathing in it too.We absorb water internally and externally through our skin.

Just like eating should be mindful, drinking water should be as well. It’s more than just a glass to your lips and chugging.

With just a little bit more awareness, the way you drink water can have a significant impact on your life. For me, it meant not having a water baby after eating meals. For you, it might mean not having to race to go to the bathroom all day long, or get up in the middle of the night.

12 Ways to get the maximum benefits of drinking water:

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Tags: water

Healthy Water, the Essence of Life

Posted by on Fri, Jul 26, 2013

Mark McClure DDS

Water cleans, purifies, enlivens, refreshes and quenches thirst. It splashes, rains, runs and makes everything grow…Water is this unique substance that seems to contain the essence of life itself.

Water is as much a nutrient as food. The human body is composed of 25% solid matter and 74% water. The brain is 85% water. You can survive for weeks without food; however, you can’t survive for more than a few days without water.

Water is the most important detoxification agent and is the solvent that makes all bodily functions possible. The quantity and quality of the water you drink has a direct effect on your short and long-term health.

Natural drinking water is the most critical factor to health. The quantity and quality of the water you drink has a direct effect on short and long term health.

Quantity- How much Water Should You Drink?

The quantity of water is important! Try to consume 1-2 quarts (or 4-8 eight ounces) of water a day.

The easy answer is drink whenever you are thirsty; however, if you have chronic dehydration your thirst mechanism does not work well and you may not feel thirst. Whether you are recovering or maintaining your health the suggestions are the same, drink a minimum of 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water per day and more if you are exercising or in hot weather. Alcohol, tea, coffee and caffeine-containing beverages and sugar/sports drinks do not count because these liquids cause dehydration. The best time to drink water is away from food. If you drink over half a glass of water at meals you may dilute your digestive juices. Your thirst should be satisfied at all times.

Hydration Takes Time

It takes time for hydration therapy (drinking water) to take effect. Like a sponge, the tissue membranes will take on water slowly. The kidneys must be watched for adequate functioning when increasing your water consumption. Measuring your intake of fluids and urine output may be helpful if there’s a question about your kidney function. In addition, electrolytes (salt) and minerals in the water are very important, for we are not just replacing water but the salts and minerals in the water also.

Hydration Therapy

We suggest hydration therapy for many of our patients as an initial step to balance their body chemistries. All biochemical indicators in the bodily fluids are always improved with hydration therapy. To adequately hydrate the body, it is best if you drink a little water at a time over one, two or three days. Tissues and membranes can only take on water slowly. Hydration therapy may take one to three days, depending on your weight.

  1. Drink 4 ounces of water each half hour

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Tags: water, detoxification