Question from Keith

Dear Debra,

I have a low ph problem with my well water. The water ph based on testing is between 4.9 – 5.2. I’ve done some research into the alkilizers that you spoke of as well as other brands. The problem is that the ph levels are so low that the alkalizers will not raise the ph enough.

Also, we would like to make sure that we can raise the ph levels enough for the whole house as I’ve learned that acidic water can cause problems with the plumbing, even pvc, which in turn is a problem for our health as well as the integrity of the house.

I’ve looked into this with some water filter companies and the present recommendations are a mineral or chemical wash. The chemical wash is from something that I believe is called sodium carbonate, which is a precurser to sodium bicarbonate. The other options are added blocks of magnesium and/or calcium. My concerns is with either option in terms of the saftey of consuming the sources for sodium carbonate and the minerals. Some mineral sources can have other contaminants in them.

I can’t get a straight answer from any local water companies as they don’t understand my concern and don’t have the knowledge to address it. The area we live in is not very much aware of the type of health issues that are addressed in this site.

In addition, I have health issues such as copd and hashimotos and am concerned about exacerbating any of these conditions.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience with this, but am posting your question so you can get answers from others.

Readers?

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Question from Krudman

Please advise if anyone is aware of a non-PVC shelf/drawer liner. Preferably, not fabric and non-toxic.

Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Before the days of PVC, everyone lined their shelves with just plain paper, and held it down with thumbtacks. I think they still sell paper shelf paper.

When I moved to San Francisco last month to stay here temporarily for three months, I moved into a barely furnished apartment that has a chest of drawers. I wanted a clean surface on which to put my clothes, and I had just purchased some items from Ikea that were wrapped in big sheets of white paper. So I just lined my drawers with that white paper and it worked fine.

Some years back, I lined some drawers with pretty handmade paper that comes in big sheets at art supply stores. It was nice to see something pretty when I opened the drawer.

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Question from Terry

My daughter recently returned from Iraq with blemishes on her once beautiful, flawless skin. I made her some exfoliant with baking soda and sea salt but it didn’t help. She said most of the women who return from the middle east end up with acne.

PROACTIV is heavily marketed but I researched all of the ingredients and was shocked. It seems most of the treatments ALL have parabens and other toxic ingredients.

A website Acne Skin Guide.com recommended PROACTIV, which leads me to believe they are ‘connected’ to Proactiv. Apparently, this toxic mix is highly effective. To me, it just isn’t worth the risk.

What is an effective but SAFE product or remedy?

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t researched natural products for acne, but I’m sure that my readers will respond to this.

I do know from my own personal experience that acne can be caused by a variety of factors. I had horrible acne as a teenager, but now I have flawless skin.

Acne can actually be caused by a buildup of toxic chemicals in the skin. The fact that your daughter’s skin began to break out in Iraq and she says other women have the same problem leads me to believe there is some environmental factor.

So a cleansing diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and pure water would help more than a topical product.

The topical treatment that helped me the most was applying a clay mask, as the clay pulls toxins out of your skin. You can get clay masks at any natural food store. Just get the plain clay, mix it with water, and apply. Leave it on til it dries and wash it off with warm water. Another good mask is oatmeal. Just just regular oatmeal, and apply with the same instructions. If it’s too think, put the oatmeal in the blender and whiz it to make a powder before mixing with water.

There’s a website at www.bestacnereview.com/ that compares quite a few acne products. Proactiv is down at the bottom of the list, but there are many natural products you can explore, including a book on natural acne treatments.

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Question from Melissa

I am looking for a new garden hose for this summer. I intend to use for my young children to run through the sprinkler and fill their pool. I have read to buy a drinking water safe version. I have been searching, but cannot find one. Do you know where I can purchase one?

Debra’s Answer

See Q&A: Nontoxic Garden Hose. Read the whole post. The next to the last paragraph explains about food grade hoses.

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Question from Mary Anne

I have an RO system that I’m thinking seriously about replacing, given what I’ve learned on this blog. The question is, with what? I recently looked at a Kangen filter system. It supposedly removes the bad stuff, leaves the minerals AND significantly ups the pH levels (for health). The problem is: it’s a dollar short of $4,000 (wince and wince again). Have you heard of this system? Are there other reputable pH systems out there for less? Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Debra’s Answer

Choosing a water filter is a fairly complex subject. I’ve been working on writing a special report on this, but in the meanwhile, there is an excellent chapter on choosing water filters in my book Home Safe Home. There are a few things about water not covered in that book and alkaline water is one of them.

There is a very good book called Reverse Aging which talks about the importance of keeping the body’s pH in a more alkaline range for good health and says drinking alkaline water is a more effective way to do that than eating an alkaline diet. After reading that book, I purchased an alkaline water machine and have been happily drinking alkaline water ever since.

I got my machine from Go Beyond Organic. We pour the water into the top of the machine, and it places an electric charge in the water that “splits” the water into equal parts of water with an alkaline pH and water with an acid pH. The Kangen website has an excellent explanation of the uses of acid and alkaline water.

The health benefits of drinking alkaline water are well documented and well known in Japan. After a couple of years of drinking alkaline water almost exclusively (almost a gallon a day when I am at home) I can honestly say that my body is healthier and stronger (I didn’t get that nasty flu that’s been going around this year) and I do look young (people usually think I’m around 35 and are astonished to find out I’ll be 53 in June). It didn’t, however, magically lower my blood sugar in two weeks, but over time, my blood sugar is getting lower and lower after removing almost all carbs from my diet didn’t work.

I do feel that alkaline water is “closer to natural water” than ordinary tap water or filtered water.

Now, about the Kangen water specifically. The website does not state (that I could find) how the toxic pollutants in the water are removed, but does say that the alkaline water is made with an ionic process. I can’t evaluate a product for which no information is given. The website is only selling you on the fantastic health benefits.

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Question from S

Hi Debra, Is it possible to be tested to see if one is sensitive to gas heat? If so where and how? I have mcs and we have gas heat, however, that is something that is not easily changed. Thanks s