Water Toxins and Diabetes

          It is almost impossible to escape from the deadly grip of environmental toxins in our society.  We watch what we eat, we buy expensive ionic air filters, and we invest in top quality water filters, like reverse osmosis.  But, what of those people who do not.  Can simply drinking a glass of tap water lead to diabetes?

            Of course, the answer to that question is a reassuring NO.  Drinking a single glass of tap water most likely will not lead to disease unless; it is heavily tainted with some kind of environmental pollutant.  Fortunately, most tap water only contains trace amounts of toxins like arsenic and pesticides.  Even trace amounts can be lethal though.  Over many years of drinking tap water, the toxins will accumulate in the body and eventually lead to chronic disease and, trust me; that is no fun.  Investing in a good water filter is a great first step.  Reverse osmosis are the best types of water filters, followed by solid block carbon filters, and granulated carbon filters.  The solid block carbon filters are better than the granulated carbon filters due to the fact that it is much easier for bacteria to grow in the small spaces between the carbon granules than it is for bacteria to grow on a solid block of carbon.

            In one recent study, scientists have discovered a link between arsenic and type II diabetes.  Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our environment and is formed when minerals are dissolved in soil and rock.  The safety standard for arsenic in water, established by the Environmental Protection Agency is 10 micrograms per liter. It is estimated that 8% of all municipal water supplies in the United States contain higher levels of inorganic arsenic than the safety standard establish by the EPA.

            In the recent study, 788 adults had there urine analyzed for traces of arsenic.  The participants with type 2 diabetes had arsenic levels which were 26%higher than the participants who did not have diabetes.  It is believed that inorganic arsenic may contribute to diabetes by interfering with insulin sensitivity.  The cells of the body absorb less glucose when exposed to both insulin and arsenic than when exposed to insulin alone.