Why the water we drink matters for hormonal health

Water is one of the most vital things our bodies need each day. By weight, we are 75% water. We need water to make sure our body runs appropriately. Water helps flush toxins out, promotes circulation, nourishes our organs,helps us digest our food, and maintains our body temperature - to name a few. We take water for granted. It comes out of our taps and we have no shortage of bottled water at our fingertips.

But, not all waters are created equal. Because water serves our body so profoundly, I think it's important to consider the sources and the value that each source can provide to make sure we get the highest quality hydration for our health.

City water quality has come under scrutiny over the past few years, especially after the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Most city and town water infrastructures have been in place for many years and there can be toxic metals lurking there.

Add to that the suspicious contaminates that now show up in our city water:

Fluoride, which has been purposefully added, is a known neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor that can have significant effects on your thyroid and gut health.

Heavy metals like lead, copper, and arsenic have been linked to Alzheimer's, ADHD, and Parkinson's, to name a few and have a harsh effect on your gut and immune health as well as your hormones.

Glyphosate and other environmental chemical runoff which has been linked to cancer and gut dysbiosis.

Pharmaceuticals, like birth control and cholesterol medications, can get into the water system and have substantial effects on our hormonal balance, fertility, and immunity. Birth control, alone, is a significant contributor to our increased exposure to estrogen.

What are your options?

Reverse osmosis - Most Whole Foods and health food stores have these systems in place. They remove all the chemicals and heavy metals. However, they also pull out all the trace minerals like magnesium and calcium. These trace minerals are essential because, without them, we can't get the water delivered into our cells. So, we end up dehydrated even if we have consumed a lot of water. One way to combat this is to get "concentrated trace minerals" and add them back to your reverse osmosis water.

Bottled water - they are easily accessible, but not always the best choice. In some cases, you just have to drink it if you're traveling or at meetings, but I wouldn't make this a solution to healthy drinking water. They are bottled in plastics that can leach chemicals into the water when they're exposed to hot or cold temps. These chemicals, like BPA, have been linked to neurological and behavioral problems in fetuses, infants, and children. They also likely affect female reproduction, the brain, and the immune system. Also, most bottled water doesn't come from real springs and is just purified tap water with no benefits at all. There are a few exceptions, but ideally, you want to have them in glass bottles, and that is a hard way to stay continually hydrated and would get very expensive .

Spring water - If you have access to nearby clean springs, this is your best option. Spring water is structured by the elements of the earth to form a highly efficient molecular shape that is superior for our hydration. It has all the trace mineral we need without compromise. Do your research if you're interested in this route. It's often free or costs very little to fill up your bottles. Many states have amazing springs at your fingertips. Here is a link to look into some that might be in your area http://www.findaspring.com/category/locations/north-america/usa/

Filtered water system - In my opinion, this is the easiest route for most homes. It has some upfront cost, depending on the brand you choose, but will pay for itself in no time. You want to look for a charcoal filter, as it can purify your water of heavy metals and the like without compromising your water. If you wish to filter the fluoride out, you will need to buy a separate filter that can attach, to eliminate it. Not all home filters are created equal. Those that you fill and then put in the fridge can't stack up in pulling out the number of toxins that need to be filtered out.

I use this Greenfield water purification system that mounts under my sink and filters my water for all contaminants. It also remineralizes and structures the water to make it more usable to the cells. I also am a fan of the Berkey It has a charcoal filter and I would add the additional fluoride filter to make sure that comes out too. You only need to replace the filters about once a year (depends on the number of times you fill up your tank as to when you need to replace your filter). It's mobile and can take it on long trips if needed. I keep a number of stainless steel and glass water bottles on hand and leave the house each day with at least two of them. That way I'm not at the mercy of drinking other water options too often. It has been worth every penny and has been a pillar for helping me take back my immunity and gut health!