Dietary indiscretions will be a major factor in maintaining any illness, however it may not be main issue. If we use ulcers as an example: too only modify diet would be to treat only half (or less) of problem. This would not be getting at cause which may be dissatisfaction with their job or relationship, or just an inability to cope with life as they see it.

To pursue example of ulcers a little further; we know that they are usually caused by stress. We also know that people under stress are likely to drink alcohol and coffee to try and cope with their stress. Foods that are sugary, fatty and salty are also tasty and satisfying and make a great "pick me up" when we are down or depressed. These foods are popular with ulcer sufferers. So, stress has contributed to ulcer and has also been a major reason for our choice of inappropriate foods. This poor diet will contribute greatly to increased stress levels because of "highs and lows" created by drug-like effect of sugar, coffee and alcohol.

The Behavioral Effects of Stress

These are observable in way we act or behave. For this it is necessary to observe what happens on a physiological level, and understand how stressful events and emotions affect us physically. We accept that more toxic elements of our diet have a depressing effect on us. However, it appears that emotional strains are even more debilitating.

Anything which comprises our immune system is a serious threat to our health. From a purely physical point of view our body reacts same way, no matter what stress is. Be it an argument with your employer of flight from a wild animal; physical response will be basically same; only degree of response will vary according to intensity of stress. The advantages of latter example is that you are either going to be eaten by that wild animal or you will escape.

Either way stress will be resolved. It is often not possible to resolve stresses in our modern and complex framework of social interaction. Intense emotions may have to be buried with no opportunity for immediate or short term resolve. These feelings of anger, futility, resentment and hurt are left to eat away at our very core.

Physical and emotional threats to our well-being are registered by Hypothalamus in brain. The Hypothalamus is a major control centre of brain and initiates reactions via Autonomic Nervous System. This system is not directly under our conscious control and can act in many ways. It can restrict blood flow or digestive secretions and inhibit genitalia. It may act to dilate blood vessels serving muscles involved in "fight or flight" response. Nerves to face can dilate pupils and tense facial muscles.

Something as simple as an embarrassing word can send blood rushing to our face. An angry word at work may send blood rushing to our arms and muscles to prompt other physical changes. It is important to acknowledge that all stresses are not bad. Some stress is necessary and is a great motivator. Indeed stress reactions are very necessary for our survival. They are our body's way of preparing for and dealing with crises. This is both necessary and healthy.

What is not healthy is excessive or chronic (ongoing, long term) stress. When we are chronically stressed all of these physical reactions remain active. Everything is thrown out of balance. It is hardly conducive to digestion if, through a stress reaction, your blood has been directed away from digestive area and gastric secretion has been inhibited.

Two examples of this would be arguing at dinner table or maintaining intense mental activity at work whilst eating lunch. The Pituitary Gland is actually an anatomical extension of Hypothalamus; so close is connection between brain and endocrine glands. The pituitary sends our many hormones which act directly on tissues of body and on other endocrine glands which put out even more hormones. Pituitary hormones stimulate thyroid which produces hormones to raise metabolic rate during times of stress. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone, or ACTH is produced by pituitary and carried by blood to adrenals.

Therefore, brain's response to various stresses can increase secretion of glucocoriticoide from adrenal cortex to bring about adaptive metabolic responses in order to increase bodily resistance and survival. In conclusion, it is important to realise that however well you appear to cope with everyday life, you will experience stress to some degree.

Moderate amounts are good for you, and can improve your performance, your efficiency and productivity. But too much may generate disabling emotions such as overwhelming anxiety and tension, difficulty in thinking clearly, and a wide range of behavioural responses.

Deep artesian water - which is added to dam water. Ground water - which is heavily saturated with suspended matter and dissolved acids (which give it brown colour). To clear this water, aluminium sulphate (alum) is added as a coagulant and then chemical polyelectrolytes are added to further settle coagulated wastes. This water is then passed through sand filters to remove settled particles. Some of chemicals remain in water.

This water is then added to scheme water. So we have situation where our water is heavily saturated with inappropriate mineral salts and a large amount of added chemicals. Other pollutants also seep in.

It is now established that there is no water supply in U.S.A. which is not contaminated with toxic residue from dry cleaning fluid. Some ground pollutants must also reach our water. This is a fairly dismal picture but fact is that things are not getting better. They are getting worse. It is clear that we are slowly poisoning our planet, and one of first places that this shows up is in our drinking water.

So, What Water is Best?

There are about five main sources of water that you can drink. The first is Tap water and we have seen why that is not a choice. The second is bottled mineral water, which can be quite high in mineral salts. It is however reasonably pure and is quite acceptable to drink socially. The other three choices bear more detailed analysis.

Distilled Water

This is produced by boiling water and condensing steam. This water is very pure. It also carries a Negative polarity as a result of distilling process. This polarity is aggressively attracted to trace minerals and other elements that make up what we could call whole water. Because of its purity, it is also highly absorbent of salts and other minerals. Distilled water is therefore very effective at leaching excessive minerals and salts from body.

It is also very sweet and pure tasting. Because of its ability to remove minerals, it must only be used exclusively for short periods of up to 6 months. Longer than this and it can begin to leach essential minerals from body. Distilled water, taken as 6 to 8 small glasses not more than 1 every half hour, is therefore indicated in any Therapeutic dietary approach to disease for short periods of time.

It is spectacularly effective as an adjunct to treatment of hypertension and arthritis. Please note that de-ionised water from supermarket is created using a different treatment. A little won't hurt but it is not same as pure distilled water.

Tank Water

Tank water is probably ideal water to drink but there are some factors which must be considered. The roofs of houses in metro area are constantly collecting heavy metals like lead from car exhausts and other airborne pollutants. Roofs and gutters are not always clean. Nor are collection tanks. Roofs in rural areas may be even more suspect especially if there is crop dusting or aerial or spray pesticides being used. Always consider these factors and source of tank water before using it.

Filtered Water

It is quite an indictment on our modern society but all things considered, filtered water is probably best choice. There are a number of types of filters available. These include simple carbon filters. Also more sophisticated carbon filters with silver mesh components which destroy bacteria.

Then there are more expensive reverse osmosis filters which produce very clean water, whilst still retaining a certain amount of precious trace minerals. All filters retain trace minerals but their individual effectiveness at removing pollutants is proportional to their cost.

In summary, tap water should never be drunk or used for cooking or making beverages. With a few exceptions, we should all drink 6 to 8 small glasses of clean water throughout day. A lesser quantity would be acceptable if some fresh juices are included in diet. Therapeutically, distilled water is first choice, then moving on to filtered water or clean rain water.

Most people will notice a considerable improvement in their health when they begin to take right amount of clean water each day.