For the past few years, scientists have believed that there are chemicals found in drinking water that do not naturally belong there.
With several tests on tap water and the observation of the ill effects of the fish in the rivers, experts have proven that the condition of water sources is becoming alarming.
In one case, it was found that the water source was now contaminated by estrogen. Fish now have male and female sexual organs. The fertility of male fish decreased until the freshwater fish species were extinguished.
Thus, this article aims to explain today's drinking water conditions. This will unveil whether the water has estrogen and other hormones in it.
This will also address the remedies available to eliminate harmful hormones in the water and make it safe for the whole family to consume.
The Presence of Estrogen in the Water
In 2012, researchers discovered it would take around 30 billion Euros to eliminate estradiol in the water.
Estradiol is a type of estrogen. According to studies, more than 2.5 billion women are using contraceptive pills, flushed down at the toilets and into the water supply.
Furthermore, scientists discovered that 80% of this hormone in more than 50 sites underwent tests.
Water suppliers, individual households, and authorities are not keen on the clean-up efforts of concerned agencies. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry is actively fighting the issue, fearing it will decrease global sales.
Studies in the United States and Europe show that water is positive in pharmaceuticals. These include ACE inhibitors, antidepressants, antibiotics, beta-blockers, carbamazepine, fibrates, painkillers, and tranquilizers.
Also, there are alarming amounts of antidepressants in the brains of several freshwater fishes. Indeed, finding synthetic health can be a little bit pricey.
Hormones and Pharmaceuticals
Nowadays, several experts are more concerned about hormones than general pharmaceuticals. This is because one needs to have high concentrations of medication before one gets affected. However, even small amounts of hormones can impact the body.
On the other hand, experts have warned the public that this is not always true. Yes, hormones can affect the body even at low levels compared to pharmaceuticals.
However, when one consumes drinking water contaminated with drugs for decades, it can still be harmful to the body.
For example, if you drink around three liters of tap water with drug contamination each day, you can more likely consume the same amount of a prescribed dose in one lifetime.
Indeed, researchers can now understand the effects of the prescribed medicine dosage. However, they do not yet understand the permanent presence of drugs in the bloodstream.
In each generation, the consumption of synthetic medication tends to rise. As such, the number of drugs in the water will surely increase in the coming years.
Finally, the drugs people consume in the water are now mixed with all others, creating a unique chemical that science has not studied.
Experts are now conducting several studies to prove if, indeed, the condition is harmless. Today, one cannot easily conclude that the chronic consumption of drugs in the water is safe.
Examples of Hormones in the Water
Estrogen is a group of steroid hormones that promote the maintenance and development of female body characteristics.
Estrogen appears in the drinking water in the form of estradiol. It is the most potent form of estrogen, and it can enter the water supply via contraceptive pill, which women excrete through urine or feces.
One health concern of the chronic consumption of this hormone is that it can affect the sexual development of pre-pubescent teenagers. The body of these groups of children relies much on the presence of regulated amounts of female and male hormones to develop the appropriate sexual characteristics in a specific period.
Another health concern that can greatly affect men. With water consumption contaminated with estrogen, they can develop more breast tissues than their peers in the previous generations. With this, they can struggle with abnormal development and functioning of the prostate.
Studies have shown that these hormones can cause infertility in fish. As such, it is possible that they can cause the same in humans.
Finally, some researchers show that the estrogen in drinking water can be responsible for the aggressive behavior of men.
A Very Active Hormone: Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone released by female organs. It helps regulate the regular menstrual cycle and plays a crucial role in the development of the mammary glands.
Furthermore, it stimulates the uterus, preparing women for pregnancy. Progesterone is also found in male bodies.
Progesterone has multiple functions and helps the brain develop normally. It regulates neurotransmission within the nervous system, fights inflammation, relaxes the body's muscles, helps regulate insulin release in the pancreas, and boosts the operation of serotonin brain receptors.
Indeed, the body tissues include high levels of progesterone receptors, making it a highly active hormone.
When used as a drug, progesterone is used to prevent pregnancy among women. It is also used by medical experts in inducing immediate abortion. Furthermore, progesterone as a drug is being used to treat the delay of menstruation, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
Meanwhile, the effects of the high levels of this type of hormone need more studies since it is poorly understood. However, with the receptors and functions, the effects can be far-reaching.
The Effects of Testosterone
Testosterone plays a major role in both the female and male bodies. However, it occurs in large amounts in the male body since it aids their physical development.
Testosterone plays a role in protein synthesis in the body, just like in the muscle tissues. As such, female bodybuilders or weightlifters taking testosterone supplements can have a high risk of developing deeper voices and having some facial hair.
Furthermore, high levels of testosterone are known to cause the development of the risk-taking behavior of women and men. It can cause larger brains in men. Finally, testosterone was studied to be one of the major factors in causing anti-social behavior in men and women.
Today, the United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all drugs that have progesterone on them must have a warning that states that it can cause pulmonary embolism and thrombosis.
For women, studies are being conducted to determine if testosterone can indeed increase the chances of having cancer.
Glucocorticoids: Regulated for a Reason
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones, including dexamethasone and cortisol. They can support the immune system and aid in the body's absorption of blood glucose, also known as sugar.
They act on the brain to generate cognition and emotion, but only in the required amounts, which the body has regulated.
Excessive glucocorticoids can have serious adverse effects on the body. As such, they are strictly regulated and can be prescribed by physicians.
To verify, consult the side effects of the list of medicines, including cortisone, glucocorticoids, and cancer drugs.
Furthermore, glucocorticoids can cause diabetes and weight gain. This can increase the body's resistance to insulin by stimulating the appetite and depositing fat.
Furthermore, glucocorticoids can decrease bone density and cause osteoporosis. They block the body’s absorption of calcium and impair attention and memory.
In addition, they compromise the immune system by preventing some cells from functioning, making the body more susceptible to many infections.
Indeed, glucocorticoids can compromise hormonal health and even lead to muscle loss in strength and density.
As such, these hormones must not be excessively consumed without consent or a prescription from the physician.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filters and Activated Carbon Filters
One option for removing estrogen and other pharmaceuticals luring in the drinking water is using a reverse osmosis filter with post and pre-activated carbon filters. With this system, one is assured that the drinking water can be safe from harm and become sufficient.
Meanwhile, there is no need to install the system for the whole house since the water for cleaning and plumbing can come from a different source.
Regarding prevention, individuals can avoid flushing unused medications in the toilets and put them in the garbage instead.
Bottled Waters
Buying bottled water might not be the best solution. This is because bottled water sources can come from municipal or natural sources.
Then, the same substances can still contaminate these sources through the soil where the hormones or other drugs have been drained.
Studies have shown that bottled water contains 90% microplastics. As such, there are speculations about how healthy it can be.
The Berkey Water Filtration System
The best solution is to invest in a water filtration system inside the house to prevent the occurrence of drugs and hormones in the drinking water.
One of the best water filters available today is our Berkey Water Filtration System. Black Berkey® Elements dramatically reduce trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment, radioactivity, and more.
Take a look at some of our products at the Berkey Water Filtration System below:
Royal Berkey Water Filter
The Royal Berkey Water Filter is one of our best-sellers of the Berkey Water Filtration System. This can be used both inside the home or outdoors. With this gravity water filter, one is assured that his drinking water is free from hormones and other pharmaceutical contamination.
It can store 3.25 gallons, or about 12.3 liters, of water. For normal use, our Royal Berkey can serve 2 to 4 people.
Our product's flow rate is 15.1 liters per hour and can be configured to use up to 4 Black Berkey filters.
Grab yours now here!
Berkey Light Water Filter
For a lightweight alternative, you can use our Berkey Light Water Filter. This product has a water capacity of 2.75 gallons or 10.4 liters and features two Black Berkey filters.
The Berkey Light is made from a non-BPS or BPA copolyester. As such, it does not retain or leach any foul smell into the water. Its see-through design lets one quickly determine the amount of water in the upper container.
Under normal use, it can serve 1 to 5 people. It can even serve 100 to 200 people daily when fully configured during emergencies.
Conclusion
To prevent water contamination with these hormones, ensure that unwanted drugs are not flushed in the toilet. One can send expired or unused drugs to the local pharmacies for proper disposal.
Alternatively, you can throw them in the bin after removing the label, pounding/ crushing them, and mixing them with the used grounds or kitty litter. As such, they can be incinerated in landfills.
Stop supporting the dairy and meat industries and switch to a plant-based diet. Eat certified organic products or farm-reared animals.
Even though there is a ban on providing growth hormones to farm animals that fatten them to make them marketable, all hormones have not been banned. Of course, with an exception to the organically-farmed livestock.
Moreover, big industries use huge quantities of hormones to treat millions of farm animals with infections. Ultimately, these drugs can end up in the source of the drinking water.
Investing in a water filtration system, such as the Berkey Water Filters, is also best. This will protect the whole family from the ill effects of estrogen and other hormones in drinking water.
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