Water…

Do you ever take a shower and then sweat? I used to sweat so much I almost feel like it wasn’t worth it to take a shower. I even recall several years ago not going to a class reunion picnic because I was so miserably sweaty trying to get ready, I just couldn’t do it. While talking with a friend the other day, she mentioned showering and sweating afterwards to the place where it almost wasn’t worth showering. I thought, ah hah! I needed to share this information.

I recall trying so hard to drink lots of water when I was working away from home. It was your typical city tap water. The later the day went, the more I would have “hot flashes”. No one could really explain why, but it wasn’t hormones because I just knew it had to be and had levels checked. So I’d throw open a window, keep drinking, and sweating, even in the winter.

I also felt sometimes like the water I was drinking was “fuzzy”. Weird, right? I know, but I mentioned my suspicion to my doctor. He didn’t think too much of it but suggested I drink distilled water or spring water. He also suggested I try adding a box of baking soda to my bath water, that would balance out the water.

I know you’re thinking by now I’m some sort of a nut, but honestly at that time I was extremely active in our community, church, and owned a bustling business. I was not a hypochondriac, nut job like you’re thinking. I was just miserably sweating all the time.

Chlorine, the Culprit

The baking soda helped. I could finally take a bath and not get out and sweat right afterwards. I investigated and found a bath ball filter that I have used consistently for about 20 years. You do need to run the water slowly to get the most benefit, but it does help. I can tell when I need a new KDF (copper and zinc) filter media replacement too, I begin sweating again.

There are other ways to help with the chlorine or chloramines which are present in our water sources. While some water treatment plants still use chlorine, many are now using chloramines which are a group of chemical compounds that contain chlorine and ammonia.  The main reason for the transfer from chlorine to chloramine is that chloramine does not react with organic matter in the water and fewer trihalomethanes (THM) form during disinfection with chloramine. However, this does not necessarily make them a safer option and other toxic byproducts which have not yet been fully examined are still formed.  

Both chlorine and chloramines are poisons that we inhale and absorb through our skin as we shower and bathe. Your skin is the largest organ you have Weighing about 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and covering 22 square feet (2 square meters) in some cases, the versatile skin has been considered the largest human external organ. The use of Vitamin C crystals has also become a popular way to eliminate the chlorine levels in water. Ascorbic Acid is a powerful detoxifier which can be used to reduce chlorine and chloramines in both hot and cold water.  Vitamin C reacts with chlorine very quickly and it is incredibly easy to neutralize an entire bathtub full of water almost instantly with 1000mg. of Vitamin C.  

There are several Vitamin C items listed on Amazon to help keep your bathroom from smelling like a city pool, and to protect you and our family from the harmful toxins.

Even now, especially in the spring and fall in central Iowa when they seem to add more to counteract the runoff and decaying materials in our rivers and lakes, the chlorine smell of the water can be overwhelming to me. We need to pay attention.

But What About a Shower Filter

Yes, that’s a concern too. Heating up all that chlorine in a small enclosed area isn’t good for anyone. Thus, the shower filters. We’ve tried several, none with the best of luck because our water pressure lacks even without a filter. (The joys of country living.) Yet there are several from which to choose.

We used one like this for quite some time until I lost the battle for water pressure.

I’m currently waiting for one of these to try and see if it will keep the water pressure higher, yet do the job required to filter the water so I can shower without sweating.

Drinking Water

So I know the shower, bath and drinking water makes me sweat. What do you drink? We’ve got the refrigerator filtration systems but for me it’s not enough. We also have a reverse osmosis system. A whole house filtration system would be ideal. We just haven’t gone there yet. I’d seriously consider this one though.

But Is Chlorine Good for Me?

The water has to be treated. But, it’s absolutely not good for you. Your skin, your body, your hair and your family will notice the difference when you stop bathing in toxins. Your skin won’t be as dry, head won’t itch, and you may not sweat! Start slowly making changes, see what you notice because it’s definitely been good for me!