What's the difference between a tap water filter and a tap water purifier? Basically, a tap water filter will reduce only certain contaminants, usually just chlorine. A multi-stage tap water purifier on the other hand removes a wide range of contaminants by including a number of stages.

It's important to understand the difference before you go shopping. There are many products on the market and many are a real waste of money.

The least expensive (typically Brita) will only reduce chlorine and lower the lead content, according to their product performance data. A tap water purifier should do much more.

If you are serviced by a public treatment facility, this is a list of the contaminants that are most likely present in your water supply, along with the health problems that these impurities can cause.

· Cysts, parasites in an early stage of development that cause waterborne illnesses similar to food poisoning. Children with poorly developed immune systems and adults with dysfunctional immune systems can die from the infection. The EPA warns that cysts may be present in any supply at any time and can even be found in bottled brands.
· Chlorine and other chemical disinfectants cause anemia in children, gastrointestinal problems in adults.
· Trihalomethanes, THMs or disinfection byproducts are present in any publicly treated supply. Exposure occurs through drinking, bathing, cooking, washing dishes and showering. This exposure doubles your risk of bladder cancer and increases your risk of colorectal cancer by 40%.
· Lead, a heavy metal, causes brain damage, learning disorders, anti-social behavior and other problems in children. Tiny traces build up in the body over the course of one's lifetime and increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
· Other cancer causing chemicals including Atrazine, lindane, alachlor, benzene and TCE.

A tap water filter may remove some of these things. An effective tap water purifier removes more than 99% of each one. You can check for certifications and product performance data, before you buy, but here are some of the facts about the different systems on the market.

A reverse osmosis tap water filter will remove cysts and reduce lead to the "federal action level". Although expensive, they are not effective against chemical contaminants, at all. The only effective system that includes a reverse osmosis step costs nearly $800 and that's just for an under-the-counter unit. The thing about it is you do not need a reverse osmosis step.

A tap water purifier that includes submicron filtration will remove cysts. A system that includes ion exchange will reduce 99.99% of all of the traces of lead that may be present in your home. A multi-media block will trap all of the chemicals mentioned above. Just three steps and about $100 for the safest, best tasting water on the planet.

Remember that THM exposure occurs in the shower, as well. You should also remember to purify what you cook with. Any tap water filter is better than none. But, the purer, the better, in my opinion, so check water purifiers out today. The sooner the better.



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A proactive attitude towards your diabetes treatment is crucial in preventing complications. Diabetics can't just delegate their care to their health care provider. They have to be constantly involved.

While everyone should have an annual physical, eye exam, and dental exam, this is especially important for diabetics. You also need to inform the dentist and eye doctor that you are diabetic so they can be alert to the special problems that accompany diabetes.

Since high blood sugar levels weaken your immune system, you are more vulnerable to infections, flu and pneumonia. It is there important to do as much as possible to prevent these. Make sure your vaccinations for flu, tetanus, and pneumonia are current.

Diabetics need to take particularly good care of their feet. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet as well as reduce the flow of blood to your feet. That means you can injure a foot and not even be aware of it. It also means that the injuries will be more difficult to heal. So you need to check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, bruises, cracking, redness, and swelling.

You also need to keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet daily using gentle motions, a soft washcloth and a mild soap. Gently dry your feet giving careful attention to your toes. If your skin is dry, apply a moisturizer.

Change socks daily and avoid bulky socks or sock with tight elastic bands. Buy comfortable, safe shoes. They should have soft leather tops and flexible soles. Shoes with low heels and closed toes are safer and provide more comfort.

Diabetics need to be very particular about shoe fit. It is recommended that you shop for shoes late in the afternoon or evening. Then you will be trying them on at the time of day when your feet are most likely to swell. Your shoes should be large enough to accommodate normal swelling.

Diabetics should positively not smoke. People who have diabetes and smoke are increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney infections. In spite of that, it is estimated that 25% of Americans who are diabetic do smoke.

Diabetics also need to monitor their blood pressure. They are more vulnerable to developing high blood pressure than people who do not have diabetes. This is especially true of Blacks and Hispanics. High blood pressure causes from 35% to 75% of all complications that can accompany diabetes.

Individuals with diabetes also need to learn to manage stress. When we're under stress we tend not to eat properly or get the right amount of sleep.
The lifestyle practices that accompany stress are very detrimental to diabetics. Also, if the stress is excessive or lasts for a long time, our bodies produce hormones that block the effect of insulin. The result is a rise in blood sugar.

So it is important to employ stress-reduction techniques such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.

Also look for ways to lighten the stress. This could mean evaluating your daily commitments to see what could be eliminated or reduced; avoiding or limiting time with people who cause you stress, and if work is the problem, seeking out ways to lighten your load.

There are also stress-busting practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing and relaxation that you can learn to do and apply in stressful situations.



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