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Elderly and drinking water

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Waterborne contaminants are not a new health risk. It has been the topic of discussion for years, inciting debates on policies, restrictions and technology when it comes to the water you use every day. Last year, a study by the University of California-Berkley’s School of Public Health shed some light on a population that may be more susceptible that the rest when it comes to contamination: the elderly. The report showed while some risk levels are acceptable for the public at large, the “immunocompromised” may need to invest in extra precautions. The article Increased Risk in the Elderly from Tap Water Consumption goes on to say, “…POU drinking water filters were found to reduce stomach illness in the elderly (persons over the age of 55). The incidence of highly credible gastrointestinal disease among those with and without purification systems differed by 12 percent, a statistically significant improvement. It is important to note that the supplied water was from a high quality, treated source in Sonoma County, California that met all state federal water quality standards during the survey period. Thus, the additional rate of illness could be even higher in less quality supplies that are not treated at the POU.” The overarching theme of these studies is to simply make people aware of their water. It is up to the individual to watch their faucet, and it is up to the individual to do something about it if there is an issue. source – www.culliganh2pointo.com

What does “TDS” mean to you?

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TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a term used to define the amount of all the dissolved minerals in the water. Dissolved solids come from rock dissolved by water. High dissolved solids may have the following effects:
  • Bad Taste – This could be really any variety of tastes, but more common would be salty, bitter, or astringent
  • Scaling – High hardness in conjunction with high alkalinity or sulfates causes scale
  • Spotting – Even with soft water, a residue can be left behind on a surface after the water has evaporated
  • Mineral Fur – Mineral Fur is found around water spigots/faucets due to the accumulation of solids upon evaporation
  • Laxative Effect – caused by high sulfate
The Federal Drinking Water Standard on TDS is 500 ppm.   http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/secondarystandards.cfm The best way to treat high TDS is through reverse osmosis.  It is important to know your TDS levels ahead of time before you purchase any equipment.  Reverse osmosis (RO) will have certain limits as to how much TDS it can reduce depending on make and model.  Other important factors in reverse osmosis is feed pressure and temperature.  It may be necessary to add booster pumps either before or after an RO depending on those factors.  More information on RO can be found here:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis

BCS Culligan Men run from Dallas to Houston!

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A few week ago BCS Culligan Men Derick Rogers and Matt Norwood participated in a 240 mile relay over the course of 48 hours.  They each ran 6 – 5 mile legs.  This relay was a fund raising effort in support of Mercy Project which is a non profit organization that is working to free children from slavery in Ghana, Africa.  We are all so proud of Derick and Matt
Can I get some more Gas?
Lots of open road!
The Hand off!
Matt heading home!
Matt at the Finish Line!
Matt and Derrick DONE!
All the team

Chuck Norris on Water! (You better listen)

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Q: Hey, Chuck! My wife and I love your new health and fitness column, “C-Force.” She’s always telling me that I don’t drink enough water and that it’s possibly the cause of some of my physical ailments. What say you? — M. Schmidt, Billings, Mont. A: That is a very common question, and your wife is correct about the power of water in your life. Julia Child summed it up well when she said, “Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital.” In a previous article, I suggested a couple of great nutritional books. One of them was Dr. Don Colbert’s “The Seven Pillars of Health,” in which he simplifies complex matters and boils down the web of healthy lifestyle tips into simple steps. Colbert’s seven pillars are a part of what I consider eight basics, or foundational principles, that you must focus on to create a better you. And some of them might surprise you. If you even relatively master these eight, you will greatly increase your odds of a long, energetic and productive life. Based upon questions from readers, I’ll be elaborating on each of them in future articles. And it all starts with the most overlooked element to nutrition: water. Water is critical throughout the body. —It helps transport nutrients and waste products in and out of cells and the body. —It is necessary for all digestive, absorption, circulatory and excretory functions. —It is critical for the proper function of every organ in the body. —It is needed for the utilization of water-soluble vitamins. —It helps to maintain proper body temperature. That is why proper hydration is the first item on Dr. Colbert’s checklist in examining all ill patients. Roughly 70 percent of the body is made up of water, so drinking water makes sense. It is the most foundational aspect of life and the single most important nutrient. Again, it is used in every bodily function. The fact is you can live five to seven weeks without food but only five days without water. Colbert says, “Many Americans live in a mildly dehydrated state with various irritating symptoms and never realize it.” Signs or symptoms of a lack of hydration include headaches, skin problems, digestion problems, back pain, arthritis, dry skin, being overweight, high blood pressure, asthma, memory loss and other ailments. Colbert testifies that in his medical practice, many people have actually experienced relief and even been cured through proper hydration. The doctor recommends you don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. Because the average body loses about 2 quarts through organ functions, perspiration, filtration and secretion, it is important to hydrate yourself regularly. Thirst is actually your body’s way of saying, “I’ve needed water for a while.” If you wait to drink water, you’re likely dehydrated to some degree. And here’s another hydration myth. I used to think I could get my daily dose of water in coffee, juice, soft drinks and milk, but chemicals and sugars often associated with these beverages (and certain types of caffeine, even in teas) actually dehydrate the body more than they replenish it. There is an equation to figure the recommended amount of water you should drink. Your weight divided by 2 equals the number of ounces of water you need to consume daily. And not all of that needs to be drunk, as much of your food intake provides the liquid. For example, bananas are 70 percent water. Apples (80 percent), tomatoes (90 percent), watermelons (90 percent) and lettuce (95 percent) are also good sources of water. In order to ensure the intake of quality water, use a reputable filtration system or drink good bottled water, because contaminants are plenty in much of our tap water. With the essential role that water plays in life, you will benefit physically, mentally and spiritually, so remember that the road to a better you definitely begins with H2O. Write to Chuck Norris (info@creators.com) with your questions about health and fitness. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK NORRIS DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

Are your kids drinking enough water?

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Got Water?

by The Kid’s Doctor Staff Children in the United States are not drinking as much water as they should, and the deficiency can have far-reaching implications, a new study suggests. “Even mild dehydration can affect physiological function, and cause fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches and dry mouth,” said Samantha Heller, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., who was not involved in the study. Impaired cognitive and mental performance are also linked to inadequate hydration, said Heller. According to the study, published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, depending on age-only 15 to 60 percent of boys, and 10 to 54 percent of girls drink the minimum amount of water recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Too many children are getting much of their water from sweetened beverages rather than plain old H2O, the researchers found. The study also revealed that those who drink water consume fewer sweetened beverages and eat fewer high-calorie foods. The research looked at the water intake of 3,978 boys and girls, aged 2 to 19 years, who had been included in a national nutrition study from 2005 to 2006. The investigators found that water intake from all sources varied by age: 2 to 5 year-olds drank 5.9 cups a day. 6 to 11 year-olds got 6.8 cups, and 12 to 1-year-olds consumed 10.1 cups daily. Girls generally drank less than boys. The findings also suggest that kids of all ages are more likely to drink beverages, such as sodas, tea or milk, and not water at mealtime. Water makes up 55 to 75 percent of total body weight, said Heller. “We cannot live without water for more than a few days because our bodies cannot store water. Thus, it is essential we replace the water our bodies lose every day.” Heller, a nutritionist and dietitian, advises starting children on water early. “Give them water instead of sweetened beverages during the day and between meals,” she said. To make it more appealing, put sliced cucumbers, oranges, lemons or strawberries in ice water, she suggested.

by – www.kidsdr.com

by Sue Hubbard, M.D. Pediatrician

Is Flouride Necessary? Part 1 of 5

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Here is a 5 part interview that addresses the issue of Fluoride being added to our Municipality water system. Is Fluoride necessary? Over the next 5 days take the time to watch this series of interviews. Its well worth your time “Natural health advocate Dr. Joseph Mercola and Fluoride Action Network head Dr. Paul Connett talks about the potential dangers of water fluoridation and what you can do to help remove fluoride from your water supply”

Whats in your water?

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One of the best new tools on our blog is the “What’s in Your Water?” widget ( found on the left sidebar, and seen below.) It is produced by the Environmental Work Group, a third-party watchdog organization on a mission to “expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions.” Their research is incredibly detailed, and their Drinking Water Quality Report is nationally renowned. What’s more, the widget is incredibly intuitive. Plug in your zip code, press search, and get educated. A few points worth noting on this site:
  • The testing timeline differs from area to area. Some of the analysis was finished in 2007, some as recent as 2010. As you can imagine, the breadth of such a report takes time.
  • In some cases, the health standards and the legal standards differ.
  • The site is mostly written in layman’s terms.
  • Regardless of the limitations of the study, the results are well worth noting.
An example of a query into water in New Ulm, MN (note: this is simply a summary, a much more detailed report is offered):
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