How to address toxins in water (and avoid them)

Although we know that proper hydration is important to our health, most of us don’t put too much thought into our drinking water. If it’s the public water supply, then it MUST be regulated, right? And they wouldn’t sell bottled water if it was bad for our health, would they? Let’s take a closer look…

What you don’t know about water

The fact is, our public water supply is dangerous, and many people don’t know that it contains many toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other harmful compounds that can affect you and your family. In 2009, The Environmental Working Group conducted a 3 year study examining tap water throughout the United States. The results detected a shocking 316 chemicals, 202 of which were either not regulated or didn’t follow legal guidelines/regulations. These chemicals include heavy metals, pesticdes, plastics and even pharmaceuticals like pain killers, birth control and antibiotics..YUCK!

Water health is more than what we drink

Beyond the water we drink, there are many other ways we interact with water on a daily basis. It’s important that we consider all of these factors when deciding on what kind of water to use. Here are our top hacks to make sure you are using clean, healthy water:

TMB’s 6 tips for safer water

1. Switch to filtered water

As we’ve mentioned, tap water is high in toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides and BPA’s that negatively impact our health. Contrary to popular belief, boiling is NOT the same as filtering; it does not kill the harmful substances in your water, so the next time you’re making a cup of coffee or steaming some veggies at home, remember that filtered water is the safer option. Don’t forget to use filtered water when making ice too!

2. Opt out of using plastic bottles

Not only are plastic water bottles an added expense, but they’re also bad for you AND our oceans. The industry is poorly regulated, which may help explain why a single bottle of water can contain up to 24,000 chemicals. Additionally, the plastic itself leaches into the water which is estrogenic and hormone disrupting. If you’re driving up to the cottage, or traveling, be extra careful about leaving plastic bottles in the heat of the car as this can enhance this process. Consider switching to glass bottles to lower these risks and to be more environmentally conscious.

3. Avoid chlorinated pools

Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent and irritant used to disinfected swimming pools that has been linked to various health problems, including respiratory conditions and allergies. We recommend avoiding chlorinated pools as much as possible to reduce exposure. Chlorine acts like an antibiotic, so if you do swim in chlorinated water, shower off right after so doesn’t sit and absorb into the skin and disrupt your skin and gut’s microbiome.

4. Use spring water when available

Fresh spring water comes from a natural source in the earth that flows to the surface and is free of contaminants and is rich in minerals. Mineral-rich water often has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, which has been shown to help neutralize acidity in the body, reduce free radical damage and help keep bones/teeth strong and healthy. If you’re a cottage owner, double check to see if you have access to spring water!

5. Choose “alive” water vs. “dead” water

Living water is water that has tumbled over rocks, waterfalls, streams etc, causing it to flow in specific ways and absorb the minerals & energy of the ground underneath it. As a result of this process, the water becomes more fresh, vibrant and energetically alive. Research shows that living water has anti-aging properties, can increase cell performance, enhance your energy levels and can benefit your overall health. If you don’t have access to spring water, you can throw a pinch of pink sea salt into your water to re-mineralize it since it comes from a natural, living source.

6. Drink sparkling mineral water

As you may have guessed from it’s name, sparkling mineral water contains a variety of health-promoting minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. It also contains bicarbonate which helps buffer acidity. Alkalinity has been associated with disease prevention and helps with blood sugar regulation. For all of you soda drinkers out there, opting for a sugar-free, unflavored sparkling mineral water (ideally in a glass bottle!) is a much healthier and safer alternative.

About The Movement Boutique in Toronto – Pilates, Chiropractic, Functional Medicine

Located on Yonge Street in Toronto, The Movement Boutique serves the areas of Summerhill, Rosedale and Yorkdale with Pilates classes and much more. Our philosophy is centred on a holistic, multimodal approach to health, grounded in the latest therapeutic techniques and clinical research. Our approach: Optimal health cannot be attained through a single therapeutic lens; injuries are often the result of a constellation of lifestyle issues, including dysfunctional movement patterns, trauma, nutritional deficiencies or destructive habits of mind.

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