First, the most common signs and symptoms that you may have a kidney stone, or be susceptible to forming one are the following:
1) Pain or burning during urination – because the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body, is getting irritated
2) Cloudy urine (signifying a possible build-up of calcium) or bloody urine
3) Back pain and “flank” or side pain, especially below the ribs – because the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, is getting irritated
4) urgency or an excessive need to urinate
5) feeling nauseous or even vomiting

Most stones are made up of a calcium compound known as calcium oxalate. Therefore, consuming foods high in oxalate can be a main contributor. The main foods to consider in this category are spinach, swiss chard, chocolate, soy, and beer.

Another possible contributor to kidney stones is an excessive intake of vitamin D. Fortunately, this is not very common (as most people are considered to be vitamin D deficient) unless you are taking a supplement. Also, consider long exposure to the sun as something that may cause excessive levels of vitamin D. This is because high blood levels of vitamin D will cause your body to absorb more calcium from the intestines and transport it to the blood. Also, if there is no calcium in the intestines, excess vitamin D will increase blood calcium levels by mobilizing it from the bones. This excessive blood calcium will eventually need to be cleared from the kidneys; and may result in kidney stone formation if it is not cleared properly. If you read my article on bursitis, you may remember that essential fatty acids are necessary to keep calcium in solution or transport it out of the blood and (back) into the soft tissues or bones.

Another potential problem would be dehydration. Even if you have normal amounts of calcium in the blood, you may not have enough water to dissolve or dilute the calcium. However, bear in mind that if you are processing calcium appropriately, you should not notice signs or symptoms of kidney stones if you become mildly dehydrated from time to time. Here’s an article that talks about my recommendations for daily water intake.

Other less common types of kidney stones may be from a build-up of calcium phosphate, cystine, uric acid; and struvite which is is caused by an infection. No one should have to deal with chronic health conditions, especially chronic kidney stone formation.

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

Source: http://www.metabolics.com/

Over 500,000 times!!! You would think the government bodies in charge of these laws…

Actually, I prefer to avoid speaking about the politics of this issue, please read for yourself though.

Here’s the article published in The New York Times.

PS – Don’t forget to question the source of the water used in your morning tea or coffee if you are not making it at home; and bottled drinks as well.

1) PROTEIN – Eat foods rich in protein about 3 times a day. Generally every meal should contain some protein. These include, beef, fish (if you can locate mercury-free fish), chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, eggs, buffalo, duck, goose, pheasant, or squab. I know, that’s a bit much at the end there, but the point is essentially that animal foods are the richest in protein. If you can manage to get the amount of protein your body needs every day through vegetarian sources, that is fine also. Some protein powders are acceptable, but most sold in health food stores have unnecessary, harmful ingredients. I personally begin almost every day with a protein shake, as it’s quick, healthy, and easy to digest. I’m often not in the mood for animal proteins first thing in the morning. Another general guideline would be to make sure you are consuming 0.9 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day. Your weight in pounds, divided by 2.2, and then multiplied by 0.9 would equal the number of grams of protein that is recommended. You may need more if you are especially active.

2) VEGETABLES – Eat a wide variety of as many vegetables as you can every day. Also, remember to eat some of them raw. However, I would avoid white potatoes as they are very high in starch and can cause blood sugar imbalances because of the way they are metabolized in the body. Additionally, take it easy on the carrots and beets because they are also high in sugar. Dark, green leafy vegetables are by far your best option. Fresh vegetables are always best; and steaming them with the least amount of water possible is a great way to prepare them. PS: drinking the left over water is also a good way to get all the nutrients from the food.

3) FRUIT – If your blood sugar is stabilized well, limited amounts of fruit should be fine. Do not combine fruits with other food groups if you have digestive problems, because it may compromise your system. Fruits digest relatively quickly compared to other foods, so you don’t want them to sit around in the stomach for longer than necessary, as they may begin to ferment and cause problems in the lower part of the digestive tract. When I find a patient’s problem is primarily related to blood sugar problems, I usually have them lay off fruit for about three months. This is usually a sufficient amount of time to get the blood-sugar handling mechanisms back on track. By the way, I think everyone should avoid fruit juices as they are too concentrated with sugars. The fact that they are natural sugars makes very little difference. At the end of the day, sugar is sugar.

4) FATS – In relation to food (not supplements) I prefer the oils of olive, coconut, and sesame. Butter is also an acceptable source of fat. Additionally, these are the best to cook with as they can sustain higher temperatures than most, if not all other oils before burning, which you definitely don’t want. Avocados and some nuts and seeds contain healthy fats that are acceptable as well; especially walnuts, sesame seeds, and fresh flax seeds. If you need to balance your fatty acid intake relative to a specific condition, you may need to consider a supplement. Avoid consuming trans fats (i.e. partially hydrogenated oils in processed foods) and margarine. Also, vegetable and grain/legume oils like corn, soybean, canola, safflower, sunflower, etc. should generally be avoided as they go rancid quickly, and can cause problems with fatty acid balance. As an aside, everyone does not need more Omega-3′s, you can have an Omega-6 deficiency as well. The concept you should focus on is balance.

5) WATER – By now you should know my take on water. If you don’t, click here.

6) GRAINS – Generally, I would eliminate or avoid all grains. If you “must” better ones to choose from may be quinoa, amaranth, oats (if you’re not sensitive to gluten because of the likelihood of cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains during processing) and brown rice (if you don’t have blood sugar problems). Grains often cause blood sugar imbalances in people which will exacerbate most symptoms. Wild rice is actually a grass and generally OK.

7) SUGAR – To attain optimal health, all sugars and heavily processed grains should be avoided. These include, but are certainly not limited to: cereals, flour-based foods (like breads, pasta, muffins, cakes, cookies, brownies, croissants, etc.), candy, soda, ice cream, etc.. Unfortunately, that 7-grain, 9-grain, 99-grain, or even sprouted-grain bread is almost always a bad idea as well.

Again, these are general guidelines. And please note how I referred to blood sugar metabolism quite often; it is critical for everyone. Appropriate foods that people should be consuming and avoiding will vary by individual; especially as it relates to food allergies and sensitivities, and health concerns. I find that about 50% of my patients’ health concerns are related to the foods they eat. One more thing – alcohol consumption (if OK individually) is generally alright at a rate of twice a week, but not two days in a row. And when you are celebrating, there are no guidelines – that’s what holidays, birthdays, etc. are for. I’ll be discussing the proper “way to eat”, or eating habits soon. Good luck!

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

1 – Drink optimal amounts of PURE, CLEAN water!
If you haven’t read my articles on this yet, click here – I don’t want to overstate the point.

2 – STOP eating sugar AND starches!
Any type of sugar will wreak havoc on your body.  This includes: refined white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, date sugar, beet sugar, evaporated cane juice, concentrated white grape juice, corn syrup, fructose, turbinado sugar, sucanat and more…let’s stop there for now.  Well, don’t forget foods with sugar in them like: pies, cakes, cookies, candy, ice cream, soda, doughnuts, brownies, etc..  The list of problems that sugar causes or contributes to is mind-boggling extensive.  I’ll be posting 76 reasons to avoid eating it soon.  OK, some more – I’d also stop eating refined honey, agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, and many more devils in disguise.  It’s impossible to overstate this point!!!  By the way, artificial sweeteners can (and often are) worse for the body.  More on that another time.  One more thing – don’t go binging on fruit now.
Starches are basically processed in your body the same as sugar, and therefore have the same detrimental effect.  They include bread (even 99-grain), pasta (even supposed whole-grain), rice (even brown, though some people are OK with it), and potatoes (especially white).

3 – Detoxify your digestive tract!
This is one of the biggest causes of systemic toxicity that can affect any area of your body and cause premature aging and degenerative diseases.  The most common problems I see are an overgrowth of yeast, bacteria, viruses, and/or parasites.

4 – Eat your GREENS!
Green vegetables are by far the healthiest you can eat.  Especially dark green, leafy vegetables.  Several good ones are kale, collards, dandelion, and swiss chard.  Greens are loaded with chlorophyll, the “life blood” of the plant, and pigment that gives them their green color.  Human blood gets its red color from the molecule hemoglobin, which allows blood the ability to carry oxygen.  Interestingly, the chlorophyll molecule in plants and the “heme” portion of the hemoglobin molecule in humans are almost identical.  The similarity rests in what’s called porphyrn, a ring of of atoms.  Chlorophyll contains magnesium in the center of the ring and hemoglobin contains iron.  Thus, chlorophyll is known to be an excellent blood builder and purifier.

5 – JUICE your vegetables!
Juicing is one of the best ways to flood your body with antioxidants and vital nutrients.  What makes juicing more powerful than eating vegetables is the efficient absorption, and the live enzymes because of their raw state.  Of course, eat your veggies too.  Just don’t drink too much green juice in one sitting, trust me on this.

6 – Exercise!
Some individuals need more aerobic exercise (constant and steady – e.g.: jogging, swimming, etc.) than anaerobic exercise (quick bursts – e.g.: weight training, sprinting, etc.).  Your applied kinesiologist can determine which is more necessary, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to do both.  At least 30 minutes every day would be ideal.  Yes, you can over-exercise, I see it all the time – and it’s harmful.

7 – Restrict you caloric intake!
There are probably hundreds of studies that have shown eating less (more likely, not overeating), will extend your life span.  The mechanism(s) is not fully known.  I would speculate that it has to do with controlling insulin levels, lessening the load on your liver, and preventing your gut from becoming toxic due to undigested, fermenting, and putrefying food.  Remember, you still have to get an optimal amount of nutrients; just do it with more nutrient-dense whole foods.

8 – Take dietary supplements!
This will ensure that you are taking in necessary nutrients that you may be missing from your diet, for any number of reasons.  Ideally, you will want your applied kinesiologist to determine the exact supplements you require most.  It is much better than a “shotgun” approach.  However, if you’re going to “shotgun” it, read my article on supplements by clicking here.

9 – Get adequate amounts of sleep!
This is of prime importance!  When you sleep, your body regenerates.  If you are not regenerating – there will nothing to prevent you from degenerating.  The necessary amount of sleep will vary by individual, but go for a MINIMUM of 8 hours each night.  There is more to know about sleep beyond the scope of this article.  Let’s get the amount of time down first.

10 – Laugh!
A study in Norway showed that subjects who found the world most funny were 35% less likely to die during the time the study was run.  Also, people in the study with cancer were 70 times more likely to survive until the end of the study.  Regardless, get some funny movies (with/or without) friends and try it!

Age – doesn’t matter

Health is what you do for your body minus what you do to your body – a quote from one of my mentors that appears to reign true

THE BODY NEVER LIES!!!

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

So what’s the right amount of water you should drink on a daily basis?  Eight, 8-ounce glasses, right?  You probably all know, that has been the recommendation for as long as we can remember.  Where did that come from anyway?  I haven’t found anyone how knows, and frankly, I’m not going to look because I completely disagree.

Let’s think about that, though.  Eight, 8-ounce glasses for everyone.  OK, well what if I weigh 200 lbs. and my brother weighs 100 lbs.?  Should we still consume the same amount of water.  Even if we narrow down the weight range; does it make sense that everyone should have the same amount?  Wouldn’t a recommendation based on weight (and activity) be more appropriate.  That makes the most sense to me.  How are prescription medicines dosed?  Well, there really is no standardization I know of. However, “body surface area” which includes measurements of weight and height is often considered reasonable.  So what about for water?

Well, first of all, please avoid listening to a lot of information out there, when it pertains to what we “need”.  What we need can always be construed to the bare minimum.  So tomorrow, you might not need to drink any water to survive (if that’s the “need” I’ve been reading about).  I talk about what can bring out the potential to optimal health.  I am not going to elaborate on comments or sources of information from the “need” point of view, to save us all time.

There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for water – our most important “nutrient”.  Not to say that RDA’s of vitamins and minerals are perfectly accurate and even useful (esp. if you’re trying to use a nutrient therapeutically).  Some day we can talk about RDAs, let’s stick with water.  Here is what one of the most prominent source(s) I found has to say about water intake.

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies reviewed The Food and Nutrition Board’s report.  The report contains these statements in quotes: “The vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide.  The report did not specify exact requirements for water, but set general recommendations for women at approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water — from all beverages and foods — each day, and men an average of approximately 3.7 liters (125 ounces daily) of total water.  The panel did not set an upper level for water.”  They said that these recommendations represent adequate intake levels.  However, they acknowledged that physically active people or those in hot climates might need more water.  Additionally, they go on to say that 80 percent of people’s total intake comes from drinking water and other beverages (including caffeinated ones), with the rest from food.

Furthermore, the report says: “We don’t offer any rule of thumb based on how many glasses of water people should drink each day because our hydration needs can be met through a variety of sources in addition to drinking water”.  This is quoted from Lawrence Appel, the chair of the panel of the report.  He is a professor of medicine, epidemiology, and international health at Johns Hopkins University.  To conclude, he says that people get adequate amounts of water from normal drinking behavior, other beverages, and food – and by letting thirst be their guide.  Here is another source that I used.

Guess what?  I disagree, partially.

First, to include caffeinated beverages as a source of water intake is a bad idea.  Isn’t it a diuretic you ask?  Well the scientific jury is still out on this one.  Anyway, they say 80 percent of total intake from drinking water and other (perhaps caffeinated) beverages.  Hmmm, so is 10 percent drinking water, 70 percent caffeinated beverages, and 20 percent from food OK?  Not quite from my perspective based on what I see in patients, and myself.  Even if you use a variation of the ratios, I still feel caffeinated beverages should not be included in your total amount of daily drinking water.

Second, you obviously get water from foods, but personally that doesn’t sit well with me either (sorry, no science on that).

Third, even though the report takes into account activity levels and climate; they still don’t address the size of the person.  That’s unacceptable to me, and hopefully to you.  It really seems like a no-brainer.

I do however like the actual number they gave – approximately “91″ and “125″ ounces daily  – BUT I would say from pure drinking water ONLY.  Generally, I’ll tell patients that a good amount of PURE WATER (not even “lemon” water) is at least half of your body weight (in lbs.) in ounces per day; and sometimes it’s more ideal to drink 1 liter (33.8 ounces) for every 50 lbs. of body weight.  This is what I see works best for my patients and myself.  To re-iterate, for a 150 lb. person, that translates into either 75 oz. or 101.4 oz. depending on which measurement you use.

I won’t go into all the necessary body functions of water, they are too extensive.  And the need for optimal intake is too obvious if you ask me.  One reason is because roughly 60 percent of your entire body is composed of water.  Some functions I would stress though, are: flushing of toxins, transport of nutrients, lubrication of body parts (e.g.: ear canal, nasal passages, throat, etc.), and regular bowel movements.

Another important point to consider is the rate at which you drink water.  If you drink too much too soon, your kidneys will simply flush it out, before it can get absorbed.  So space it out accordingly.  And, I wouldn’t wait until you get thirsty – I feel it’s a bit late then.  Let’s maintain water status, not go refilling it when we’re low.  Also, your urine should be straw-colored or light yellow; not clear or darker yellow.  That would be imperceptible if you are taking vitamin B2 (riboflavin) though, it will fluoresce your urine.  Riboflavin is often in mulit-vitamins and b-complex supplements also.  Lastly, please take note of your physical activity and how much you perspire; as you know, these will certainly increase your needs.

Here’s a good experiment.  If you have dry skin, without an underlying condition (e.g.: hypothyroidism), try and see if increasing your water intake (over several days to a week) solves it.  It works everytime for me, along with chapped lips.

By the way, there are other reasons you may not absorb water properly which could easily go unnoticed without obvious reasons that include (but are not limited to) sodium reserves/intake and adrenal (stress) gland function.  We’ll talk about those situations another time.

I’ll close with this — would you (and your cells) rather be a raisin, a prune, or a grape?

Thanks for visiting and see you soon!

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

Now I’ll talk about another type of water purifier called reverse osmosis.  This works by forcing the water through a semi-permeable membrane while leaving the contaminants behind.  This system requires pressure to push the water through.  That’s why it’s called “reverse osmosis”, because osmosis occurs when natural movement causes a solvent to move from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration.  Reverse osmosis is fantastic at removing many different types of contaminants.  However, it should be combined with a type of sediment pre-filter and carbon filter because some contaminants (that the others can remove first) can clog or degrade the membrane.  OK, so here’s the list of things reverse osmosis can filter: aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chloride, chromium, copper, fluoride, magnesium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nitrate, selenium, silver, sulfate, zinc, asbestos, chemicals (that cause bad tastes, color, and odor), particulates, general turbidity (or cloudiness from particles), radium, bacteria, viruses, salts, sugars, proteins, dyes, volatile organic compounds, and chlorine and its by-products.  I’m sure there are some others that I may have missed.  Now think about combining that with an activated carbon filter.
Three important caveats: 1) bacteria and viruses can still accumulate and also degrade the membrane; 2) by removing minerals the water becomes acidic, meaning it will have a pH below 7 (our blood is between 7.35-7.45) – however high quality salt can be added to raise the pH, more on pH and why consuming  alkaline-forming foods and drinks is extremely important for health in another article; and 3) it wastes A LOT of water – at least 3-5x the amount of original water that is filtered for drinking, is wasted.

Ok let’s move on.  What do we do about all these bacteria, viruses, parasites, cysts, algae, fungi, and other microorganisms that can be in our water.  Chlorine will not always kill everything.  And there’s even chlorine-resistant bacteria out there.  For these bugs, the best way to kill them is none other than light – ultraviolet light (UV) to be specific.  The UV light damages the organisms DNA, making it’s cells incapable of reproducing/dividing – thus making it harmless or killing it.  Simple as that!  Hmmm, wouldn’t that solve the problem of having to add chlorine to water (which causes the production of toxic by-products).  Of course it would, and ozone (a molecule with 3 oxygen atoms) is another alternative for the job.  Apparently, there are “more than 400 municipal water treatment ozone systems operating in the U.S. alone.“  BY THE WAY, for those of us in NYC – this option (of UV light) has been reported about in 2005, though I don’t know what sort of progress has been made.

Let’s finish with one more – ceramic filters.  These use porous ceramic to literally filter the water through, while leaving the contaminants behind.  They are especially known for filtering microorganisms, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has even created standards for their effectiveness.  Search Google™ for “US EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers” for their report.  So if you get a ceramic filter, make sure it’s stamped with their approval.  These filters most notably remove parasites and bacteria.  It will certainly filter large sediment (that can’t pass through the pores) as well.  However, some manufacturers of ceramic filters are certified to be effective in removing chlorine, lead, turbidity and particulates, and bad taste and odor.  Additionally, these can be cleaned by hand when they clog up – but be VERY careful as simply handing it can clog the pores, rendering them less effective.  They can also break, or get hairline cracks, which will cause particles to pass right through into your drinking water.  Follow the instructions very closely.

Wait, really the last – distillation is by far the best way to remove most (and perhaps all) contaminants that can possibly exist.  The water is basically boiled and the steam is collected which is then converted back to liquid for use.  The contaminants are left behind, not emitted in the steam.  However, that doesn’t mean it produces the best water.  Some people say it can act as a vacuum and draw minerals out of the body.  I haven’t been able to verify that yet.

distilled

spring or purified

And, Dr. Masaru Emoto has taken pictures of water from a “pure source” and distilled water.  No comment – see the pictures and make your own judgment please.  By the way, it’s quite tedious and energy consuming to distill water at home.  SmartWater® is distilled, although it has some minerals added back into it.  I like that it’s definitely “clean”.

On fluoride — some companies talk about a separate fluoride-removal filter, but fail to disclose the mechanism it uses.

There are some links at the end of the article if you’re interested in buying a water filter.  I have no financial connection with any of the companies – although I signed up as a “dealer” with EcoQuest® last year. I haven’t renewed my membership this year, but probably will. It cost me $25 to become a dealer, which saved me around $100 on the filter (Living Water 3® with a fluoride and arsenic pre-filter).

If I were you, I would speak with the companies first to make sure the filter meets your needs.  And you may want to call your local municipality to see if they add fluoride to the water – and see if, maybe (hopefully) they use UV light or ozone as a chlorine alternative.

H20 International Corporation
The Water Exchange
Home Water Purifiers and Filters – a source for this article
EcoQuest
Doultan USA

I’m sure there are many more – I just happen to come upon these that “looked good”.

PS – don’t forget a showerhead filter!

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiologist

There are basically only two practical alternatives to tap water: 1) bottled water and 2) filtered water.  By the way, well water is not out of the woods – it can be, and quite often is contaminated.

There are definitely some great quality bottled waters on the market.  Here are a few brands I personally like: Mountain Valley Spring® (glass), Gerolsteiner® (glass, sparkling), and Smart Water® (plastic).  There are plenty more, but those are my top 3 choices. Please see their sites if you want to learn more about them.

Unfortunately, bottled water presents an enormous environmental hazard. And it’s totally unpractical to drink all of the time.  You can find plenty of information on the environmental impact all over the internet and I encourage you to do so.  Additionally, the industry is not regulated and therefore you need to know your source.  You could easily be buying tap water (it’s been said that 40% is tap water) or water tainted with many harmful chemicals and microorganisms in it.  Based on what I read off of the labels, most bottled water isn’t worth it, although you can usually find a “fairly good” bottled water readily accessible if necessary.

OK, so the other option is a filter.  This is a win-win situation!  Save the environment and save money (compared to bottled water).  There are so many options when it comes to filters.  I’ll discuss one right now.

(Activated) carbon (AC), also known as activated charcoal- Carbon filters contain granules or powdered carbon which acts to absorb impurities from the water it is in contact with.  Activated carbon (one step up from ordinary carbon) has a slightly positive charge to it, which can further help to attract (negatively-charged) impurities.  There are two main variables for how well an AC filter will perform.  First is the amount of carbon.  More carbon means more absorption, just like a large towel will absorb more than a smaller one.  Second is the amount of time the water/contaminant is in contact with the carbon.  The longer the water can be in physical contact, the more will be absorbed.  The size of the contaminant will also be a factor.

Activated carbon filters will also trap or breed bacteria in the filter medium.  Unfortunately, they do NOT kill the organisms.  Therefore, they can build up in the filter creating a sort of breeding ground for bacteria, eventually headed for the drinking water.  This is why it is highly recommended to change the filter often – which can become costly.

Activated carbon filters are also claimed to contain the toxic metal aluminum, which can get into the filtered water.  The only information I found related to this makes the claim look accurate.  Click here for information on the patent of “compacted activated charcoal filter material” (note the words “aluminum oxide” and “aluminum hydroxide”).  Charcoal that has been “acid-washed” is said to contain little or no aluminum.

Lastly, activated carbon from coconut shells (as opposed to coal) is more environmentally-friendly and contains less aluminum.  So ideally, if you go with an AC filter, it should be acid-washed and made from coconut shells.

Here’s what an AC filter is capable of removing and/or reducing: volatile organic compounds (including MTBE from gasoline and other chemicals that cause bad tastes and odors), pesticides and herbicides, chlorine, benzene, trihalomethanes (by-products of chlorine), radon, solvents, and many other man-made chemicals that find there way into the groundwater.

Unfortunately, AC filters alone won’t remove all the contaminants we spoke about – i.e.: toxic metals and fluoride, and perhaps haloaceticacids (more chlorine by-products).  Because the presence of pharmaceutical drugs in tap water is relatively new, I can’t find information on filters effective in removing them.  Although, it’s certainly possible that the filters we’ll discuss can filter drug residues anyway.

Don’t forget, these AC filters need to be changed very often to prevent bacteria build-up, which can get into the drinking water.  And unless they’re acid-washed and from coconut shells, they probably have a fair amount of aluminum in them.

The Brita® Pitcher Filter is one example of an AC filter.  It also contains something called an ion-exchange resin which helps remove copper, mercury, cadmium, and zinc.  Hmmm, what about lead.  Well, the Brita® Faucet Filter is said to have something called zeolite as well, which helps remove lead.
My guess is that these filters are from coal and not coconut shells, nor acid-washed – please verify the specifications with the manufacturer, as I am making no claims.  The above information about Brita® was derived from their website.

Please click here if you are interested in more information on the differences between coal and coconut shell derived carbon material.  And click here for more general information and the source of some information above.  I have no financial connection to any of the brands mentioned, or products sold from any links.

More on other types of filters soon.

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

I’m referring to none other than your “neighbor’s” (already ingested) antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, ibuprofen, sedatives, heart medication, and more!!!  That’s right, pharmaceutical medications are in the tap water.  Well it does make sense when you think about it.  People take drugs and not all of them are absorbed or fully metabolized.  The drugs subsequently end up in sewage or wastewater which can then get treated for sterilization and directed into reserviors.  It can also get into the surface water or groundwater which again goes to the tap after treatment.

According to the Associated Press(AP), “In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas – from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville.”  They also said that the water supply of at least 41 million Americans contains a vast array of pharmaceuticals.  Key results noted by the AP are as follows: testing in Philadelphia revealed 56 different drugs or byproducts in treated water including medication for pain, infection, high cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, mental illness, and heart problems.  Sixty-three drugs or byproducts were found in the watersheds.

Another article in USA Today said that more than 15 drugs or byproducts were detected in the water sources that feed into NYC taps.  These included: medication for “aches; infections; seizures; high blood pressure; hormones for menopause; the active ingredient in a popular sedative; and caffeine”.

There are many more areas around the country where this is a problem, please check the articles above and plenty of others that are easily searchable for further information.  And by the way, six of 28 metropolitan areas (where drugs were found in watersheds or their supply) didn’t bother to test the water at the tap.  And New York City is one of them!

Let’s see what the (New York) city water officials have to say. Well, nothing to the AP because they declined multiple requests for an interview with them.  They did however, issue this statement: “New York City’s drinking water continues to meet all federal and state regulations regarding drinking water quality in the watershed and the distribution system.”  Phew!  Oh wait, there are no federal or state regulations in place for pharmaceuticals in the water supply.

Another article from the AP states some more baffling news.  “In April (presumably 2008, the article is dated 9/11/08) New York City council members insisted during an emergency hearing that their drinking water be tested.  But DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) officials declared that “the testing of finished tap water is not warranted at this time”.”

If you are interested in how the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is not happy with how the US Environmental Protection Agency is dealing (or not dealing) with this problem, click here.

One last issue (I’ll mention) is that the USA Today article states that there is evidence that the added chlorine in tap water is making some of those pharmaceuticals more toxic.

OK, now let’s talk about the health issue of this.  Well, that’s quite the cocktail!  Fortunately, it’s most likely going to be infintessimally low doses compared to prescriptive doses.  However, there is obviously no data on the long-term effects.  I can’t but help but re-iterate how you will be adding to your bodies toxic burden and stressing your detoxification pathways with the addition of ANY amount of a toxin(s).  Will this be the straw that broke the camel’s back in developing that chronic disease (cancer, thyroid, liver, or kidney problems, etc.) of unknown origin?  So it’s really just one more thing to add to the list.  So far the list (in tap water alone) consists of chlorinated byproducts, toxic metals, and (maybe) fluoride.  That’s a generous maybe, by the way.

Also, please stop and think – if I had a glass of the cleanest, purest, fresh water possible and then told you I added a cocktail of random pharmaceuticals to it, would you drink it???

LASTLY, raise your hand if you think there must also be illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines in the water!

Keep in mind, even though I’m not a proponent of drinking tap water, that does NOT mean I am a proponent of drinking bottled water.  More on that in future articles.

More on better choices than tap water coming soon.

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

I believe it safe to say that the government does NOT add toxic metals to our water supply.  Toxic metals find their way into the water via the environment, industrial pollution, and through out-dated means of delivery to your tap.  The next ingredient in tap water I’d like to discuss, that is deliberately added, is fluoride.  Chlorine is deliberately added to water as well, but with a slightly different intention than fluoride.  Chlorine will kill potentially deadly disease-causing microorganisms, so it’s obviously put there for your safety (despite the concerns mentioned in part 1).  Fluoride on the other hand is added to medicate you.  That’s right, the reason fluoride is added is to help you prevent tooth decay.

We know why fluoride is supposed to be beneficial, when added to our water supply.  Let’s examine some information that points to why it might be harmful to us.

According to the US EPA: “Some people who drink water containing fluoride well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could get bone disease (including pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth.”  I have a lot of questions right now.  How is “well in excess” defined?  How many is “many years”?  Should the EPA put limits on the amount of fluoridated tap water a person should consume?  Does the amount in your toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash matter?  What population is most at risk?

Currently, the EPA set the MCL for fluoride at 4 parts per million (ppm).  However, the National Council of Research (NRC) suggests that the EPA lower this level because of strong evidence that links fluoride to bone fracture, joint pain, and damage to teeth.  Additionally, they have found research linking fluoride exposure to problems with the brain, thyroid, and pineal gland.  The NRC even reported that the amounts of fluoride associated with thyroid imbalances are now being exceeded by many Americans, mainly children – even while living in areas where fluoride is measured at 1ppm.  The American Dental Association says that optimal levels are 0.7-1.2ppm.

Additionally, the NRC reported on patients who live in a community where the water has fluoride at rates of 4ppm, and said that they “have all accumulated fluoride in their skeletal system and potentially have very high fluoride concentrations in their bones.  The bone marrow is where immune cells develop and that could affect humoral immunity and the production of antibodies to foreign chemicals”.  So here we have fluoride possibly presenting people with immune system challenges that may ultimately end up causing infections and/or cancer.  The NRC also makes an excellent point stating “there is no question that fluoride can affect the cells involved in providing immune responses.  The question is in what proportion” – of the population.  That’s reflects my question also: “What population is most at risk?”

There are more potential health concerns with fluoride exposure such as: increased lead absorption, hyperactivity and/or lethargy, brain damage and lowered IQ, dementia, inactivates 62 enzymes, genetic damage and cell death, disrupts synthesis of collagen, muscle disorders, arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, damage to sperm, decreased fertility, kidney problems, and more.  Unfortunately, I don’t have solid evidence for those problems so I won’t expand on them.  Perhaps one day I’ll look into the research.  One last condition of excess fluoride as a child is, ironically, dental fluorosis (I suppose that’s the mottled teeth the EPA speaks of).  By the way, send me an e-mail at dr.robertdaquila@gmail.com if you would like the NRC’s report.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to prove whether or not some substance prevented a particular condition.  Now that I think of it, ask yourself: “Did I ever have a cavity?”  If so, did you drink fluoridated tap water all the years growing up?  Now, not all municipalities add fluoride to the water.  Did yours?  Perhaps you would have had even more cavities if you hadn’t had those daily doses of fluoride.  What about diet?  What about sugar intake?  What about dental hygiene?  Here’s one of the best questions, what about the pH (acid/alkaline balance) of your saliva?  For optimal health it should preferably be on the alkaline side.

As with all toxins and even diseases (e.g.: swine flu), those “considered” to have the weakest immune systems, the elderly, and young children are usually the ones most at risk.  So most people don’t think twice about a lot of public health concerns.  Here’s another question: Should we be concerned with people who have nutrient deficiencies that impair their liver and kidney’s ability to detoxify chemicals appropriately – and consume fluoridated tap water for “many years?”

As an aside and some food for thought: if  “they” are so concerned with our health (i.e.: tooth decay), what about the rest of our bodies?  Why don’t they add zinc to the water supply, or magnesium, or calcium?  Just about everyday I find people deficient in those minerals.

Interestingly, a 13-year old patient’s mother called me last week.  In the past I had helped her daughter fully overcome obsessive/compulsive behavior through diet, supplements, and chiropractic treatments.  Now, she’d like to bring her in again for treatment next weekend.  She explained how after a fluoride treatment at the dentist, her daughter experienced severe stomach pain, nausea, and anxiety.  This is obviously a case of acute fluoride poisoning and not what I’ve discussing above.  My point is that because she knows I am a holistic, wellness-oriented chiropractor, who practices applied kinesiology; I have the ability to help people overcome very challenging health concerns.  Therefore, I’ll be able to help identify what organ system is the most stressed and what nutrients she needs to detoxify effectively.  Additionally, I’ll employ standard chiropractic treatments in order to help her entire body.  Please consider this information if you or someone you know has a health concern.

In conclusion, there are many concerns with water fluoridation regarding health effects and ethics beyond the scope of this article.  I strongly encourage you to read The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson if this topic interests you.

Additionally, I encourage you to find the time to watch these 2 YouTube videos on the subject of fluoride.  They are around 5 and 8 minutes in length.

Professional Perspectives: Fluoride in Tap Water

The Fluoride Deception: Part 1

Keep in mind, even though I’m not a proponent of drinking tap water, that does NOT mean I am a proponent of drinking bottled water.  More on that in future articles.

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology

Let’s move further and discuss toxic metals.  In case you’re not sure, examples of toxic metals would be mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic, nickel, etc..  Bear in mind, however, necessary minerals like copper, zinc, magnesium, etc, can be toxic in large doses.  Necessary minerals don’t usually present a problem, whereas exposure to toxic metals is a very prevalent problem.  There are many sources of toxic metals in our environment, such as the food we eat and the air we breathe, but for now let’s focus on tap water.

Every year, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) publishes a report on drinking water.  Here’s an excerpt from the New York City 2008 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report – “New York City water is virtually lead-free when it is delivered from the City’s upstate reservoir system, but water can absorb lead from solder, fixtures, and pipes found in the plumbing of some buildings or homes.”  Click on the word virtually in the last sentence if you need a reminder of the definition.  So basically, tap water in NYC definitely has a certain amount of lead in it based on the DEP’s measurements, and perhaps more by the time it reaches your tap.  Lead (and copper) from pipes will be a bigger problem for those who live in homes or buildings built before the late 1980s.  And don’t forget water fountains and restaurants.  The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “maximum contaminant level goal” for lead in tap water is “0″ mg/L.  One would think that the EPA’s goal for all toxic metals should be zero, but that’s not the case.  In fact, the “goal” for other toxic metals in our water supply such as antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, mercury, and thallium are all above “0.”  They apparently consider lead much more of a problem.  Here’s a link to their page on “Drinking Water Contaminants.” with a list of every contaminant (THEY LOOK FOR) in the water.  (FYI, the picture of the sink with brown water is reportedly from Stuyvesant Town in NYC)

Some more daunting news:
In October 2004, The Washington Post reported that, “Cities across the country are manipulating the results of tests used to detect lead in water, violating federal law and putting millions of Americans at risk of drinking more of the contaminant than their suppliers are reporting.”  In regard to NYC they said the following: “In New York City, the nation’s largest water provider has for the past three years assured its 9.3 million customers that its water was safe because the lead content fell below federal limits.  But the city has withheld from regulators hundreds of test results that would have raised lead levels above the safety standard in two of those years, according to records.”  Click here for the article. Again, the article is from 2004, let’s hope that scenario has changed since then.

Now, let’s hear about the health problems associated with lead and other toxic metals.  The problem with toxic metals has a lot to do with how they interfere with the way other minerals work and thus the body’s enzyme pathways.  And if you remember from my article titled “Dr. Rob’s Top 5 Supplements for Overall Health” you’ll know that minerals and enzymes are involved in converting one chemical into another an allowing the body’s biochemical processes to continue smoothly.  They also cause detoxification imbalances as a result, and add to the body’s burden of toxins.  Which type(s) of toxins that will not be excreted depends on your individual physiology and nutritional status.  As a result, a person may experience any (or MORE) of the following conditions: muscle pain, nerve disorders (might be related to Multiple Sclerosis), kidney disorders (the kidney’s are the main detox route for metals, because they are water-soluble), possibly developmental problems in children, cardiovascular disorders, anemia, memory loss, depression, reproductive disorders, possibly Alzheimer’s disease (can be related to aluminum specifically), headaches (especially from copper toxicity – although essential, it can be toxic at high levels), PMS, cancer, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, and more.

To date, I have helped my patients with the following conditions related to toxic metals: muscle and joint pain, kidney disorders, headaches, PMS, chronic fatigue, and hypothyroidism.  Because I am a chiropractor who uses Applied Kinesiology and focuses on wellness and treating people holistically; I can detect when excessive levels of toxic (and essential) metals might be affecting a person’s body.  Aside from Applied Kinesiology methods, there is a simple take-home urine test that will measure levels of toxic and essential metals.  Click here for more information on that test.

Additionally, there is almost always a chronic mineral deficiency that contributes, causes, or is the result of toxic metals in the body.  Most notably, that mineral is zinc, however there are others.

Oh, and some really sad news – unfortunately, it no longer takes many years of exposure to become toxic.  Some of these metals might pass through the placenta from mothers that are toxic (and don’t even know it).  As a result, many babies are born with a burden from “day one”.

The good news is that it is not very difficult to expel these harmful substances from your body.  With the right diet (mainly avoiding fish), targeted supplements (to up-regulate detoxification pathways), and decreased exposure, it may take as little as 3-6 months to detoxify and start feeling better.  Most of the time patients will feel better even sooner.

Keep in mind, even though I’m not a proponent of drinking tap water, that does NOT mean I am a proponent of drinking bottled water.  More on that in future articles.

Come back to read “issue” #3 on tap water

Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology