British Berkefeld ( Berkey ) Portable Water Filtration System

The only water filter I am familiar with is the British Berkefeld, also known as the Berkey. I've owned one since 2002. It's one of the smaller, table-top models , holding two 7" ceramic filters in the top canister which removes chlorine, bacteria, cryptosporidium, giardia, salmonella, and sediment. It makes my tap water taste as sweet as spring water. For added protection, I add two fluoride/arsenic filters to the bottom of the others.

The Berkey works by gravity and produces up to 10 gallons of clean water per day. Just pour water in the top canister, and as it is filtered, it flows into the bottom canister. I use the filtered water for drinking, making coffee, tea, and for cooking.

It's lightweight when empty and easy to pack up and take with you on vacation.

Processed Food Ruins Health and Shortens Life Expectancy

Our commercial food supplies have been sprayed with herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides while still in the fields. Many of these poisons cannot be removed from the fruit, vegetables, and grain because it enters the soil and is taken inside the plants by the root system.

Below you will find a link to an excellent, comprehensive article discussing the following:

1. How processed cereals are no longer natural foods
2. Rat studies showing how the cardboard cereal box has more nutrition in it than the cereal in the box
3. Old fashioned, natural, unprocessed grain porridge is healthy
4. Dangers and additives in processed milk
5. Dangers and additives in processed orange juice
6. Natural nourishing broth vs. industrial soup
7. Health problems caused by MSG
8. Food industry's cooking fats and oils

Dirty Secrets Of The Food Processing Industry

Dangers Of Fluoride In Your Drinking Water

Fluoride has been linked to the following diseases:

1. Increased incidence of lung and bladder cancer
2. Increased incidence of osteosarcoma ( a deadly bone cancer )
3. Affects male fertility
4. Damages the brain
5. Calcification of the pineal gland
6. Dental fluorosis

Here are links to comprehensive articles about fluoride:

Dangers of Fluoride In Your Drinking Water

Dental Fluorosis Overview

Rosacea

Rosacea is also known as adult acne. It is characterized by redness, bumps, and small red blood vessels on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin. Sometimes the eyes appear irritated or bloodshot.
Most research sources claim there is no cure. However, my case of Rosacea cleared up in one month after I bought a shower filter to remove the chlorine; and changed to natural , chemical-free soap, shampoo, and face creams.

Comprehensive Information About Rosacea

Take The Rosacea Quiz

Chlorine-removing shower filters can be found online, and at Lowe's and Home Depot.

Here are a couple of sources for chemical-free natural soaps and shampoos. Many other sources can be found on-line.

Cal-Ben 5 Star Shampoo and Bar Soap

Dr. Bronner's Soap

Chlorinated Water Implicated in Many Modern-Day Diseases and Disorders

The sole purpose of chlorine in our drinking water is to destroy living organisms. It is very effective.
From the time it is added at the treatment plant until it passes through the water lines and arrives at our tap, it has done it's job. Since we are also living organisms, this chemical  needs to be filtered out of the water before drinking, cooking, or bathing/showering with it.

Problems With Digestion:
Chlorine can weaken or kill many of the good bacteria in the mouth, stomach, and intestines. These bacteria are needed in order to properly digest your food and absorb essential nutrients. This can lead to malnutrition which will eventually weaken the entire body.

Weakened Immune System:
Most of the immune system bacteria are located in the digestive tract, which is harmed by chlorine.

Skin Disorders:
Chlorinated water is very irritating and drying to the skin, leading to eczema, open sores, and infection. It is also easily absorbed through the pores where it enters the bloodstream and eventually ends up in every organ of the body, having the same irritating/drying affect.

Hypothyroidism ( Low Thyroid Function )
Chlorine can block the iodine receptors preventing proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

Cancer:
Chlorine has been linked to colon, bladder, and breast cancer.

Respiratory Problems:
Water from a shower head makes a fine mist which is inhaled directly into the lungs.

The following links give more information:

What Will Happen If You Take In Too Much Chlorine

Hot Tub - Chlorine vs. Your Health

Is Your Daily Shower Making You Sick?

Digestive Immunity

Why Raise Your Cancer Risks By Drinking Tap Water?

Chlorinated Tap Water Is Implicated In Hypothyroidism

Is Your Water Safe?

Chlorine And It's Affect On The Immune System

How Does Chlorine In Water Affect My Health

Health Benefits of Clean Drinking Water

Clean contaminant-free drinking water provides the following benefits for the human body:

1. promotes healthy circulation
2. flushes toxins from the body
3. aids in digestion
4. helps prevent constipation
5. helps alleviate fluid retention
6. decreases appetite
7. prevents fatigue, brain fog, headaches, body aches, and the feelings of depression associated with dehydration
8. prevents premature aging of the skin by keeping it moist and elastic

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of biological and chemical toxins found in America's water supply.
Some of the most common are bacteria, viruses, protozoa, amoebas, cleaning products, petroleum products; and pharmaceuticals such as hormones, pain medication, psychiatric medication, and Statin drugs. Two of the most familiar contaminants are chlorine and fluoride.

The water treatment plants are able to remove many of the toxins, but not all. Fortunately, there are filters available for home use that will remove most of the remaining pathogens and chemicals. Chlorine, especially, needs to be removed from the water before drinking or showering.

I can't afford an expensive whole-house filtration system, but since 2002 I have used a portable table-top Berkey Water Filter to remove most of the remaining contaminants from my drinking and cooking water. It's also referred to as the British Berkefeld. The filters in the top canister remove everything except fluoride and arsenic, which can be removed by adding special fluoride/arsenic filters to the bottom of the top filters.

I also use a chlorine-removing filter on my shower head. In 2000 I was diagnosed with a condition called Rosacea, which went away after I stopped showering in chlorinated water and using harsh commercial soap. Neutrogena , Dr. Bronner's, and Cal-Ben Five Star are soaps which are mild and chemical-free.

My next blog will discuss the dangers of chlorinated water to human health.