In a science news report I came across this weekend,
researchers in Taiwan examined eggs from "free range"
chickens and eggs from conventional sources.
Regrettably, they found that the free range eggs
had significantly higher amounts of dioxins, a nerve
damaging group of poisons typically derived from
industrial and vehicle exhaust. So just getting outside
for a walk in the sun exposed the chickens to enough
poison to make their eggs a riskier meal. What do
you think might be the implications for the water
supply in that area?
Obviously, we can not protect ourselves from every
source of every toxin. Take fish oil as an example.
Two months ago a lawsuit was filed against RiteAid,
NatureMade and CVS because 10 out of 10 fish oil
supplements tested had some level of PCBs, a once-
common component of plastics. Congress banned
PCBs in 1979, but here they are showing up in a
health supplement, 31 years later!
One thing we should do is to drink the best water
available, and that means distilled water when possible.
Water is the transport medium for getting nutrients into
our cells, and getting waste materials out, so it only
makes sense to start out as clean as possible.
The chickens and the fish don't have a choice.
More later,
Sam
www.nutriteam.com
www.steamdistiller.com
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Water Over the Dam
As our title suggests, people tend to take water for
granted, like "water off a duck's back". But throughout
history, water has been a factor at virtually every major
turning point. Let's take a look at an interesting example,
involving the use of water as vapor for steam power.
It was James Watt's invention of a better steam engine
that transformed England into a military, political, and
economic giant. Steam power changed everything:
manufacturing moved from water power to steam which
allowed cities and their growing populations to flourish.
The industrial revolution changed lives more in a couple
of hundred years than through all the thousands before it.
Steam power was required to unlock the age of iron which
led to the conquering of the world's oceans in huge, iron-
clad vessels.
Every era has been shaped by water in some form. Steam
power is still at the heart of energy production, even though
the issues surrounding the use of nuclear energy to turn
steam turbines have not been resolved. The biggest issue
is simple yet seemingly unsolvable: where will the volume
of fresh water come from to care for the population growth
that is already outstripping the available supply?
If you think that these issues will not affect you, think again.
Even now, water is being trucked, piped, sluiced, ducted,
and diverted in every conceivable way to areas of water
shortage. How long can this last? What will happen when
water "Haves" and "Have-Nots" come to a boil? What will
happen, for example, when China and India reach their
tipping points from unsustainable water management?
World history is set for a major change, and water will be
a driving force. Maybe it's time for a few more people to
get steamed up on this subject,
More later,
Sam
www.nutriteam.com
www.steamdistiller.com
granted, like "water off a duck's back". But throughout
history, water has been a factor at virtually every major
turning point. Let's take a look at an interesting example,
involving the use of water as vapor for steam power.
It was James Watt's invention of a better steam engine
that transformed England into a military, political, and
economic giant. Steam power changed everything:
manufacturing moved from water power to steam which
allowed cities and their growing populations to flourish.
The industrial revolution changed lives more in a couple
of hundred years than through all the thousands before it.
Steam power was required to unlock the age of iron which
led to the conquering of the world's oceans in huge, iron-
clad vessels.
Every era has been shaped by water in some form. Steam
power is still at the heart of energy production, even though
the issues surrounding the use of nuclear energy to turn
steam turbines have not been resolved. The biggest issue
is simple yet seemingly unsolvable: where will the volume
of fresh water come from to care for the population growth
that is already outstripping the available supply?
If you think that these issues will not affect you, think again.
Even now, water is being trucked, piped, sluiced, ducted,
and diverted in every conceivable way to areas of water
shortage. How long can this last? What will happen when
water "Haves" and "Have-Nots" come to a boil? What will
happen, for example, when China and India reach their
tipping points from unsustainable water management?
World history is set for a major change, and water will be
a driving force. Maybe it's time for a few more people to
get steamed up on this subject,
More later,
Sam
www.nutriteam.com
www.steamdistiller.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Minerals and Water
One of our most frequently asked questions is about
minerals in water. For example, it is known that distilled
water is pure; hardness minerals are removed along with
contaminants of all kinds. Is this a health risk?
The answer is an unequivocal NO. The best source of minerals
is from food: leafy greens, dairy products, meat and fish are
among the best sources. The minerals in water are very difficult
to assimilate for several reasons. When you eat minerals that
are part of plants and animals you are getting organic forms of
the needed minerals which are much easier to process, digest, and
assimilate.
It's ironic, but despite the concern over getting enough minerals,
many Americans are getting overloaded with minerals, in particular
calcium in the form of 'anti-acids'. The problem here with both
over-the-counter and prescription antacids is that they neutralize
stomach acid, which inhibits the absorption of many macronutrients
including protein, fat, and calcium. Many experts contend that
the overuse of antacids could be the leading contributor to the
problem of osteoporosis in older Americans.
This is not to say that it would be wrong to take a mineral supplement,
if you have reason to believe that you are lacking certain key minerals
in your diet. In particular, a supplement containing the full range of
'trace' minerals would be good for anyone eating a diet that is highly
processed or known to come from factory farms where minerals
are rarely if ever reintroduced into depleted soils. But be aware that
many mineral supplements today contain mineral combinations that
are too alkaline to aid in proper digestion. We will discuss this issue in
more detail in later posts.
Looking out for your health and well-being,
Sam
www.nutriteam.com
minerals in water. For example, it is known that distilled
water is pure; hardness minerals are removed along with
contaminants of all kinds. Is this a health risk?
The answer is an unequivocal NO. The best source of minerals
is from food: leafy greens, dairy products, meat and fish are
among the best sources. The minerals in water are very difficult
to assimilate for several reasons. When you eat minerals that
are part of plants and animals you are getting organic forms of
the needed minerals which are much easier to process, digest, and
assimilate.
It's ironic, but despite the concern over getting enough minerals,
many Americans are getting overloaded with minerals, in particular
calcium in the form of 'anti-acids'. The problem here with both
over-the-counter and prescription antacids is that they neutralize
stomach acid, which inhibits the absorption of many macronutrients
including protein, fat, and calcium. Many experts contend that
the overuse of antacids could be the leading contributor to the
problem of osteoporosis in older Americans.
This is not to say that it would be wrong to take a mineral supplement,
if you have reason to believe that you are lacking certain key minerals
in your diet. In particular, a supplement containing the full range of
'trace' minerals would be good for anyone eating a diet that is highly
processed or known to come from factory farms where minerals
are rarely if ever reintroduced into depleted soils. But be aware that
many mineral supplements today contain mineral combinations that
are too alkaline to aid in proper digestion. We will discuss this issue in
more detail in later posts.
Looking out for your health and well-being,
Sam
www.nutriteam.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Water - Running Out?
Some of us, like me living in New England, have a relative
abundance of water and tend to take it for granted.
With this post, I want to put a little perspective on the issue.
Some 40 percent of the world's population "carry their water from wells,
rivers, ponds, or puddles outside of their homes", according to
Diane Ward in her book, Water Wars - Drought, Folly and the
Politics of Thirst. In some countries, women may spend 6 hours a
day or more fetching water in buckets from questionable sources.
The fact is that over a third of the world's population
is seriously affected by a water and sanitation crisis. In
Africa, 6 out of 10 people do not even have a proper toilet.
This of course contributes to the spread of deadly bacteria,
viruses and parasites.
Principal rivers in many countries no longer have anything
left to pour into the sea. Nations are squandering their most
precious commodity at such an alarming rate that many doubt
that their could be a viable solution.
Do you think this will eventually affect the water-rich Western
countries? Politically? Economically? Of course it is, already.
Yet here in the United States little is being done to protect
our water sources. Water infrastructure in major cities is old
and dilapidated. Testing for many of the newer and more
dangerous drugs in water is literally non-existent. Many people
still consider it their 'right' to have unlimited clean water when
that is no longer the case anyway, and enormous cost increases
are just around the corner. The major disinfection agent for
municipal water, chlorine, has no doubt saved millions of lives
over the years, but it is itself a health risk of high order. And
many cities and towns are turning to an alternative, chloramine,
which is cheaper but poses more risks and is harder to remove
at the point of use.
In the meantime, do not take for granted the quality of water
you are using for drinking and sanitation. Your health is
on the line.
More later,
Sam
abundance of water and tend to take it for granted.
With this post, I want to put a little perspective on the issue.
Some 40 percent of the world's population "carry their water from wells,
rivers, ponds, or puddles outside of their homes", according to
Diane Ward in her book, Water Wars - Drought, Folly and the
Politics of Thirst. In some countries, women may spend 6 hours a
day or more fetching water in buckets from questionable sources.
The fact is that over a third of the world's population
is seriously affected by a water and sanitation crisis. In
Africa, 6 out of 10 people do not even have a proper toilet.
This of course contributes to the spread of deadly bacteria,
viruses and parasites.
Principal rivers in many countries no longer have anything
left to pour into the sea. Nations are squandering their most
precious commodity at such an alarming rate that many doubt
that their could be a viable solution.
Do you think this will eventually affect the water-rich Western
countries? Politically? Economically? Of course it is, already.
Yet here in the United States little is being done to protect
our water sources. Water infrastructure in major cities is old
and dilapidated. Testing for many of the newer and more
dangerous drugs in water is literally non-existent. Many people
still consider it their 'right' to have unlimited clean water when
that is no longer the case anyway, and enormous cost increases
are just around the corner. The major disinfection agent for
municipal water, chlorine, has no doubt saved millions of lives
over the years, but it is itself a health risk of high order. And
many cities and towns are turning to an alternative, chloramine,
which is cheaper but poses more risks and is harder to remove
at the point of use.
In the meantime, do not take for granted the quality of water
you are using for drinking and sanitation. Your health is
on the line.
More later,
Sam
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