Many people like to drink orange juice and eat oranges. But, did you know that unless you drink fresh squeezed juice and ate oranges that are tree ripened you could actually contribute to the acid build up in your body. Oranges are usually picked from the tree in a green unripened state. That's because it makes it easier to ship them to the grocers without spoiling, but at the same time because they have never had a chance to ripen on the tree the nutrient value is very poor. This type of orange can be too acidic to our body and does not contribute to our nutritional well being. On the other hand fresh tree ripened oranges are excellent storehouses of nutrients like vitamin C and calcium, and do not contribute to acidifying the body. So, unless the oranges, or other citrus foods, you are eating are fresh it is better to eliminate them from your diet.

Chlorine
If you are drinking city water there is a problem there as well. Most cities use chlorine to kill bacteria. Chlorine destroys vitamin E, the beneficial friendly bacteria, or flora, in the intestines, and has been demonstrated to cause vascular disease. Chlorine also combines with organic matter in the water and forms a cancer causing chemical called chloroform.

Sodium Fluoride
Sodium fluoride can found in drinking water as well. Although many people believe that it is good for us it is actually a toxic by-product of the aluminum industry. Since it was so expensive to dispose of, the aluminum industry persuaded the cities to buy it from them and put it in their drinking water. Before this, it was used as a rat poison. Once cities started purchasing it the cost went up 1,000% almost immediately.

The serious side effects of sodium fluoride are;
1. Affects the healthy function of the thyroid and the entire enzyme system.
2. Damages the immune system. Cancer and other degenerative diseases are increased. Some of the conditions that may arise first are sclera derma, lupus, and various forms of arthritis.
3. While it does seem to promote bone growth, researchers have discovered that the bone is very weak and brittle and breaks easily.

Calcium Flouride
The type of natural fluoride that the body requires is calcium fluoride. One of the best sources is goats milk. Other sources are seaweed, brown rice not white, rye, parsley, avocados, cabbage, black-eyed peas, juniper berries, licorice, the plant not the candy, lemon grass, and bancha twigs.

Chemicals and Toxins
Of course this doesn't even include the thousands of other chemicals and toxins dumped into our water supply by the tons each year. In fact, certain chemicals are deliberately added by the water departments to stabilize the action of the water and to keep pipes from rusting.

Importance of Clean Healthy Water
Make sure that you drink lots of fresh clean water each day. Water is crucial in maintaining our health. It assists in keeping us cool, removes waste and toxins, and keeps our cartilage and the discs in our spine hydrated. If your water intake falls too low over a period of time the discs in your spine lose water and shrink which can cause back pain.

I know many people use filters at home but most them do not remove sodium fluoride. You can purchase filtering systems that can do that or purchase water from a reputable company. Preferably one that uses the steam distilled method. You can also purchase your own team distiller or have steam distilled water delivered to your home. If you wish to add minerals to your water I recommend a company called Trace Mineral Research. You can find them in almost any health food store in the United States. I don't have any connection with them, but I have used their minerals for years and they are of the highest quality.

About the Author

Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and author specializing in the treatment of mental health using integrative medicine and natural therapies. She works with individuals, couples, and families at her office in San Jose, California and is the founder of All Things Well, a certified provider of The Listening Program. Dr. Fredricks' publications include the landmark book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Randi Fredricks as articles often present the published results of the research of other professionals. Copyright © 2012.