by Matt | Dec 4, 2012 | bottled water scam, BPA, Drinking Water Quality, Featured, Health
Recently BPA, a chemical used in plastic bottles, has been linked to another health problem in humans. BPA has a long list of negatives but continues to be used in plastic bottles because the chemical is so cheap. Most recently BPA has been showed to cause thinning arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. We took a look at some of the problems that BPA has been found to cause:
Narrow Arteries
A recent study at The University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter found an association between high BPA levels in the blood and severe coronary artery stenosis, the medical name for narrow arteries. The more stenosis an artery has, the more likely it is to become blocked. Blocked arteries lead to chest pain, tightness, and eventually heart attacks. Researchers concluded that exposure to BPA contributes to heart disease. Many people with heart disease unknowingly put their health at risk every time they use a plastic bottle.
Developmental Problems
The most concerning BPA related problems have to do with their impact on childhood growth and development. BPA was banned from baby bottles and other children’s products earlier this year amid health concerns. BPA has been linked to reduced fetal and newborn development, and wheezing in children among other problems.
Time Magazine recently put out a piece explaining that while BPA is banned from bottles and cups, the chemical is still abundant in children’s toys and apparel. This means that children are still being exposed to the potentially deadly chemical everyday, often without even realizing it. With all of the health concerns associated with BPA, it’s time to completely eliminate the use of the chemical in children’s products.
Lingering Problems
BPA has been proven to have serious medical concerns in animal testing and in human interaction. Exposure to BPA has been linked to cause everything from neurological problems to reproductive disorders in adults. We found a list of every side effect associated with BPA; its stunning how a chemical can continue to be used when it is known to cause so many health problems.
Take Action
There are a few easy ways to limit your BPA intake:
- Always choose fresh food over processed, bulk buy products
- Use glass rather than cans or plastic bottles
- Avoid plastics if you have a newborn
- Opt for a BPA-free bottle, such as the BeCause Water Stainless Steel bottle.
Make sure you purchase BPA-free products, especially if you are a parent. Limiting your exposure to BPA could save you or your child’s life.
by Matt | Nov 25, 2012 | Drinking Water Quality, Health
It is well known that American water supplies have been treated with fluoride, but what is less clear are the long-term effects of fluoridation. Supporters of fluoridation say that the chemical helps strengthen teeth, while detractors worry about potentially dangerous side effects. The issue is still hotly debated with vocal advocates on both sides, and a wide variety of opinions exist on the practice.
We’ve all heard of fluoride, but just how often do we come into contact with it? Bottled water and many other beverages are treated with fluoride, often with no indication to consumers. Is fluoride a helpful tool for dental health, or an unnecessary chemical? Should bottled water companies be required to communicate the fluoridation of water on their product’s label?
What Is Fluoride?
Most of us have had fluoride applied by a dentist after a tooth cleaning, but you come into contact with fluoride more often than you think. Fluorides are chemicals used in the production of a number of products such as:
- Pesticides
- Insulation
- Nuclear fuel
- Teflon
- Bio-medical supplies
The fluoride used in water treatment is hexafluorosilic acid, known to prevent tooth decay in acceptable doses. However, the rise of fluoride toothpaste has led many experts to argue that adding it to public water has become unnecessary. In addition, elevated fluoride levels are known to cause health problems, a potentially unwanted consequence of water fluoridation.
Supporters of water fluoridation say that the process leads to better dental health for a population, and many supporters consider the process extremely beneficial for impoverished populations. Opponents of water fluoridation argue that the process is too expensive to justify and potentially harmful to human health. Both sides of the debate continue to gain steam as water fluoridation remains a controversial topic even in the 21st century.
You can check which locations in Massachusetts fluoridate their water here.
The Positives
Fluoride is proven to prevent tooth decay, and water fluoridation is an easy way to deliver this benefit to the public. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention listed water fluoridation as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. We spoke to dentist Shivani Pareek of North End Dental Associates, who told us “Fluoridation at the appropriate level is the smart way to treat water”. Fluoride is a proven tool to fight tooth decay, which particularly affects young and impoverished populations.
Fluoride Flaws
Many people see water fluoridation as a challenge to individual rights. The practice was useful in the 20th century, but many experts feel the rise of fluoride toothpaste has made fluoridation unnecessary. Dr. Myron Wentz, an internationally recognized microbiologist and founder of USANA Health Sciences Inc., is a fluoride expert and points out that most American fluoride is purchased as an industrial waste product from China. Chinese suppliers actually list fluoride as an insecticide, raising more concerns about the business ethics of Chinese industrial suppliers and the safety of the chemical. What’s more, many European countries have seen a dramatic decline in tooth decay with no water fluoridation simply because of the rise of fluoride toothpaste.
Ever since its implementation in 1945, water fluoridation has had strong vocal opinions on both sides of the argument. Whether you support fluoridation or avoid it at all costs, the debate looks like it won’t be going away anytime soon. If you want to completely avoid fluoridated water, this website explains what filters are capable of removing fluoride from water and which filters cannot.
by Matt | Oct 23, 2012 | Health
We all know that it’s important to drink water to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it’s less apparent how much we truly need in order to stay hydrated. “Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day” is the common answer, mainly because it’s easy to remember. The truth is that different people need different amounts of water, and staying hydrated is especially important for growing bodies and athletes.
Most Common Causes of Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Not drinking enough during exersize and hot weather
- Dehydrating beverages (caffeinated coffee & soda, and alcoholic drinks)
- Excess sweating
Being dehydrated is a terrible feeling. When you lose more fluid than you take in, you become dehydrated your body can’t carry out normal functions. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda also lead to dehydration. Drinking fluids is the easiest way to fight dehydration, though severe dehydration requires medical attention.
Symptoms of Dehydration
- Dry mouth/thirst
- Fatigue
- Decreased urine, dark-yellow urine
- Headache
- Dizziness/lightheaded
- Fever/rapid heartbeat in severe cases
Severe Consequences
Untreated dehydration can cause confusion, hallucinations, and in extreme cases death. Extended time without proper hydration has significant mental effects and causes a dementia-like confusion. It is estimated that in a moderate climate, an average human being could last
about a week without water. However, in 2006 a man
survived 24 days without food and water after his body essentially shut down.
If you’re an athlete or person on the go its important to have water with you at all times. Consider buying a reusable water bottle such as the BeCause Water BPA-free Stainless Steel bottle so that hydration can always travel with you.
How Much Hydration?
There are a number of factors that determine how much water you should be drinking a day such as level of activity, weather conditions, and distance from sea-level. The Institute of Medicine recommends that adult males drink 3 liters (around 13 cups) of water a day, while women should drink 2.2 liters (about 9 cups). It is also important to spread out your water intake through the day; drinking a day’s worth of water at once will not give you the same health benefits as balanced consumption.
If you exercise heavily you should take steps to maintain healthy hydration. Drink 1.5-2.5 cups of water an hour before exercising, and take water breaks during your activity. Parents also need to make sure adolescent children are maintaining their hydration during sports. You can use this Hydration Calculator to get a specific idea of how much water you need each day.
Getting Your Fill
If you drink enough water so that you are never thirsty, you are most likely maintaining good hydration. While it may seem like you need to drink a lot of water in a day, you can also get your water through foods. Watermelon is mostly water, and remains the ultimate refreshing fruit on a hot summer day. Other fruits and vegetables such as grapefruit, melons, oranges, celery, and tomatoes can help put water back into your system.
Alcohol is the fastest way to become dehydrated. Make sure you drink a glass of water with every alcoholic drink to maintain your fluid levels. Another great way to replenish your fluids is with milk.
Staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of maintaining your overall health. Make sure you drink the recommended amount of water each day, especially if you are exercising. Raise a glass to your health!
