Scientists have known for decades that there are substances in our tap water that are not natural components of water.
This has been detected by testing the tap water itself and by observing peculiar new health effects on the fish in our rivers that feed into our tap water supplies.
For example, many fish have been found with both male and female sexual organs, and the fertility of male fish has declined to such an extent that some freshwater fish species have been extinguished.
The Cost of Clean Water
In2012, researchers concluded that it would cost Britain £30 billion to rid its water of oestradiol alone.
Oestradiolis a major type of oestrogen that the more than 2.5 million British women on the contraceptive pill flush down their toilets and into our future water supply.
Researchersfound this potent hormone in 80% of the water at the 50 sites they tested.
Unsurprisingly, neither the British government, nor the water suppliers, nor those who pay the household water bills are keen on this clean-up effort, and the pharmaceutical industry is actively lobbying against it overfears that itwould have to contribute.
Studies in Europe and the United States, whichprobably apply equally strongly in Britain, have positively tested drinking water for a startling list ofpharmaceuticalssuch as ACE inhibitors (heart drug), antibiotics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, blood thinners, calcium-channel blockers (heart drug), carbamazepine (anti-seizure drug), digoxin, fibrates (cholesterol drugs), naproxen (an anti-inflammatory), painkillers like paracetamol and codeine, and tranquillizers.
High amounts of antidepressants have also been found in the brains of some freshwater fish, which illustratesthat our quest for synthetic health comes at a steepprice.
Hormones and Pharmaceuticals
At this stage, experts worry more about hormones than general pharmaceuticals – because while high concentrated levels of medication are required before our bodies are affected, small amounts of hormones can have an impact.
However, manyscientists have warned that this is not necessarily true. Itistrue that hormones can affect the body at far lower levels than pharmaceuticals, but the impact of consuming small quantitiesof pharmaceuticals in our drinking water over a period ofdecades may still be harmful.
If you drink three litres of tap water a day, with each litre containing only nanograms of each drug, you are unlikely to consume the same amount as even one prescribed dose across your whole lifetime.
But while medical researchers may understand the effects of a one-off prescribed dose,they do not yet understand the effects of apermanentpresence of thedrugs in ourbloodstream.
Moreover, synthetic medication consumption riseswith each generation, suggesting that the amount of medication in our water will continue to increase.
Lastly, the pharmaceuticals that we are permanently consuming in our water are all mixed with one another into a new and unique chemical brew that has not been studied at all.
It is worrying that experts assume the risk to be negligible, as this precludesthem from carrying out studies to prove that it is indeed harmless. At present, therefore,we cannot emphatically conclude that the chronic consumption of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water is safe.
Examples of Hormones in Our Water
Oestrogen is a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
They appear in our drinking water primarily in the form of oestradiol, the most potent formof oestrogen, and these hormones enter the water supply chiefly through the oral contraceptive pill which women excrete in their faeces and urine.
One concern centres on the effects that the chronic intake of this hormone can have on the sexual development of pre-pubescentchildren,whose bodies rely on the presence of carefully regulated amounts of male and female hormones to develop the appropriate sexual characteristics at the appropriate time.
Another concern is the effect they have on men, who may develop more breast tissue than their peers in previous generations and may struggle with abnormalprostate developmentand functioning.
Since these hormones seem to cause infertility in fish,some medical authorities are becoming concerned that they may also cause infertility in humans.
Furthermore, somefindings havesupported the conclusion that they may be responsible foraggressive behaviourin men.
Progesterone – A Very Active Hormone
Progesterone is a hormone released by the female body that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, plays an important role in the development of the mammary glands, and stimulates the uterus to prepare for pregnancy. It is also found in the male body.
Among its manyfunctions, progesterone aids the normal development of neurons in the brain, regulates neurotransmission in the nervous system, relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, combats inflammation, helps regulate the pancreas’ release of insulin, reduces gallbladder function, boosts the operations of serotonin receptors in the brain that can potentially make it a positive mood drug, and so on.
A high proportion of body tissue contains progesterone receptors, which suggests that it’s ahighlyactive hormone.
As a drug, progesteroneis prescribed to prevent pregnancy, to induce immediate abortion, and to delay menstruation. It is even being investigated as a treatment for certain types of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
The effects of artificially elevated levels of this hormone are poorly studied and therefore badlyunderstood, but with so many receptors and so many functions, the effects couldbe far-reaching.
The Effects of Testosterone
Testosterone is produced by both male and female bodies, but occurs in much larger amounts in male bodies,aidingin the development of physical male sexual characteristics.
It also plays a role in the synthesis of proteins, such as in muscle tissue. Female bodybuilders consuming testosterone to build muscle, for instance, run theriskof deepening their voices and promoting facial hair.
High amounts of testosterone have also been associated with characteristics likerisk-takingbehaviour in both men and women,menstrual irregularitiesin women,larger brainsin men, and aggression andanti-social behaviourin both genders (and also in children).
At present,the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all drugs containingtestosterone carry a warningthat theymay cause thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
There is evensome speculation that testosteronemay increase the likelihood ofbreast cancer in women.
Glucocorticoids – Regulated for a Reason
Glucocorticoids are a group of steroid hormones that include cortisol and dexamethasone.
There are few functions in the body in which these hormones are not involved. They support the immune system, help the body absorb blood glucose (or sugar) andact on the brain to generate emotion and cognition – but only in their required amounts as regulated by our bodies.
An excess of glucocorticoids can have seriously adverse effects, which is why they are strictly regulated and available almost exclusively as prescription medicines.
It’s easy to verifythis:simplyconsult the long list of potential side effects on any medicine containing glucocorticoids, cortisone and cancer drugs!
Glucocorticoids can cause weight gain and even diabetes by increasing the body’s resistance to insulin, by depositing fat and by stimulating appetite.
They can cause a decrease in bone density and even osteoporosisby blockingthe body’s absorption of calcium;impair memoryand attention; compromise theimmune systemby blocking some of its cells from functioning, thereby rendering you more susceptible to a wide range of infections.
As well as compromising our hormonal health, they can even cause a loss ofmuscle densityand strength.
In summary,these areseriously powerful hormones that we shouldnotconsume without our informed consent.
What Can I Do?
It’s simple:do not flush expired or unwanted drugs down the toilet. Locate a pharmacy near you that sends expired drugs back to drug manufacturers for proper disposal, and ask them to include yours with their normal supplies.
Alternatively, throw them in the bin – but only after removing the label, crushing them, and mixing them with kitty litter or used coffee grounds. They will then be unpalatable to trash scavengers and will hopefully be incinerated at a landfill.
Stop supporting the meat and dairy industry by adopting a plant-based diet, or eat only certified organic, farm-reared animals.
Even though the European Union has banned the provision of growth hormone to farm animals to fatten them up prior toslaughter, all hormones have not been banned except in organically-farmed animals.
Moreover, these industries use huge quantities of to treat millions of farm animals against illness and infections; and many of these samepharmaceuticals end up in our water.
Boiling your tap water will not get rid of hormones and other pharmaceuticals.
Buying bottled water is not the solution either, as it is either taken from the municipal water supply or from natural sources that might be contaminated with the same substances through the soil into which they drain.
Microplastics have alsobeen found in 90% of bottled waters, raising questions over just how healthy bottled water is.
Your best bet, by far, is to invest ina water filter that has beenscientifically provento remove some hormones from your tap water: theEnergy Plus Water System.
Not only doesthe 4-stage filter eliminate harmful hormones, but itremoves heavy metals, chemicalcompounds and other contaminants such as bacteria, chlorine, fluoride, chloramine, nitrates, herbicides and glyphosate.
What’s more, the Energy Plus elevates the pH of the water, making it alkaline, and its bioceramic minerals stimulate the release of small amounts of active molecular hydrogen,an emerging antioxidant.
Thus, you can get good-quality filtered water from the tap with the added benefits of an alkaline pH and the oxidation reduction associated with hydrogen-rich water.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has resonated with you. We’re always keen to make people aware of the benefits of drinking clean water. In fact, this was the guiding motivation behind our starting the business 10+ years ago.
Though you will be told time and time again that tap water is perfectly fine, and while we agree that you’re unlikely to immediately fall ill from drinking such water, it is not ideal for the body for the reasons cited above.
If you’d like to learn more not only about hydration but also nutrition, whynot check out our free ebook, “The Simple Steps to Optimum Health.” Over the course of 60 pages we delve into topics such as stress, alkaline balance, digestion, detoxification and exercise.
We all want to live long, healthy, energised lives, but improving your overall wellbeing requires a joined-up approach. Our ebook outlines recommended steps to nurture a healthier you.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Clickhereto find out more.
As an environmental scientist with extensive expertise in water quality and contamination, I can attest to the alarming issues raised in the article. The presence of pharmaceuticals and hormones in tap water is a well-documented concern that has been the focus of my research for many years. My work involves not only analyzing water samples but also understanding the broader implications of these contaminants on ecosystems and human health.
The evidence presented in the article aligns with established scientific knowledge. The detection of substances not naturally found in water, such as pharmaceuticals and hormones, has been a recurring observation in water quality assessments globally. The impact on aquatic life, particularly the occurrence of intersex fish with both male and female sexual organs, is a phenomenon documented in numerous studies.
The specific example of oestradiol, a potent estrogen, is a notable case. The article rightly highlights the significant challenge of addressing this issue, with estimates suggesting a substantial cost for water treatment. The resistance from various stakeholders, including governments, water suppliers, and pharmaceutical industries, is unfortunately a common barrier to implementing necessary cleanup efforts.
The discussion on the presence of a wide range of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, including ACE inhibitors, antibiotics, antidepressants, and others, is consistent with the findings of comprehensive water quality assessments conducted in Europe and the United States. The cumulative impact of chronic exposure to these substances, even in trace amounts, raises valid concerns about potential long-term health effects.
The article emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the safety of chronic pharmaceutical consumption in drinking water, particularly the lack of studies on the combined effects of the various substances present. This is a critical point that underscores the need for more research in this area.
The detailed examination of specific hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and glucocorticoids provides valuable insights into their roles and potential consequences of elevated levels. The multifaceted effects of these hormones on both human and environmental health are complex and merit careful consideration.
The recommendations for responsible drug disposal and dietary choices to mitigate exposure to these contaminants are practical and align with existing environmental guidelines. Additionally, the endorsem*nt of water filters, such as the Energy Plus Water System, as a means to reduce hormone and pharmaceutical levels in tap water is a scientifically sound approach.
In conclusion, the issues addressed in the article are of utmost importance for public awareness and policy considerations. As an expert in the field, I share the concerns presented and stress the need for continued research, regulatory measures, and public initiatives to safeguard water quality and, consequently, human and environmental health.
