Health Tips and Beauty Tips Blog: Why You Don't Want to Drink - Or Shower With

(MS) - Water is integral for human survival. The human body is made up of over 70 percent water, and by consuming enough water, one ensures the body runs in an optimal state. Digestion, temperature control, nerve transmissions and virtually every other process within the body occurs as a result of water. It has been proven that you can survive weeks without food, but without water the body doesn't stand a chance.

But what if the water you consume and wash with is harboring unhealthy ingredients? This means the very element that is supposed to keep you healthy, could actually be doing quite the contrary.

WHAT'S LURKING IN THE WATER?

The water that feeds into many homes from municipal water supplies or even wells may not be as fresh and clean as it should be for optimal health. While municipal water treatment strives to eliminate harmful bacteria from the water you use, oftentimes lead and other harmful elements remain. Additionally, chlorine, an ingredient designed to kill off the greater evils floating unseen, is often elevated in treated water. It only takes common sense to realize that a chemical designed to attack bacteria and dirt probably isn't the best thing to drink. In fact, The National Cancer Institute reports that drinking chlorinated water may as much as double the risk of certain cancers.

SHOWERING IN UNFILTERED WATER COULD BE MORE HARMFUL THAN DRINKING IT

According to studies, the body absorbs 50 times more chlorine through showering than drinking the same unfiltered water. Warm shower water opens up the pores of the skin and may allow higher absorption rates of chlorine and other chemicals present. That's why in addition to some very real health concerns, chlorinated water may also have some adverse cosmetic affects as well. Anyone who has swum in a chlorinated pool understands the drying and irritating effect this chemical can have on the skin. Chlorine may also dull or discolor the hair. It's not ideal - or healthy - to shower in this mix every day.

COMBAT THE CHEMICAL MELTDOWN

Apart from cooking, drinking and bathing solely with bottled water, an idea that has merit but could quickly become an expensive habit, there are more practical ways to enjoy the benefits of clean water. The Colorado Shower Spring is a patented water filtration system that was designed to produce clear, great tasting drinking water, but has been revamped to also provide water filtration for home showers.

CONSUMER DIGEST AWARD-WINNING TECHNOLOGY

The Colorado Spring Shower system has two separate filter stages. Stage one takes out chlorine and balances the water pH. Stage two filters out harmful VOCs and THMs that vaporize while showering and are unhealthy to inhale. The filter installs in seconds and provides healthy, filtered water immediately. In fact, the system won the Consumer Digest award in 2006 due to its efficacy and ease of use.

By showering in filtered water the body can reap several benefits. Many of Hollywood's top hairstylists recommend their clients wash their hair in filtered water because of the softer, more lustrous results that ensue. The Colorado Spring Shower filters out the metals and other water components that can affect certain hair products, such as shampoos and conditioners. Also, chemical-free, filtered water offers benefits to people suffering from skin conditions and breathing disorders, where chlorine-laded water and steam may be further contributing.

For more information, visit www.coloradoshowerspring.com or call 1-800-811-2245. Use code VTD1 when ordering.

CAPTION: A patented two-stage filtration system helps deliver clean, spring-quality water in the shower. The cosmetic and health benefits are quickly apparent.