The period begins from the day you felt symptoms – whether they be mild of strong. If you do not feel any symptoms, however, the isolation period begins from the day you got tested.
Upon entering your positive test result into the Covid-19 app, you will be advised on which date to isolate until and which you are legally obliged to follow. You will also receive a call or text from NHS Test and Trace if you do not have access to the app.
However, those who are double vaccinated and have been notified as coming into contact with someone infected by Covid-19, are exempt from self-isolation rules providing they take daily lateral flow tests for 7 days.
If at any point you test positive during the 7 day period, you will need to isolate from the day you received the positive result.
How can I claim financial support under the Test and Trace support payment scheme?
You might be able to get a payment of £500 to support you during self-isolation if you live in England and meet all the following criteria:
You’ve been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS Covid-19 app, either because you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
You’ve responded to messages from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of your close recent contacts
You’re employed or self-employed
You’re unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating
You’re currently receiving or are the partner of someone in the same household who is receiving, at least one of the following benefits:
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit
If you’re not on one of these benefits, you might still be able to apply for a £500 discretionary payment if all the following apply:
You meet all the other criteria listed above
You’re on a low income
You will face financial hardship as a result of self-isolating
What if my child has been told to self-isolate?
If you have not contracted Covid-19 but are the parent or guardian of a child who is subject to self-isolation measures, you could be be eligible for the payment, if the following apply:
You’re the parent or guardian of a child in your household who is self-isolating, and you need to take time off work to care for them
Your child is aged 15 or under, or aged 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, normally attends an education or childcare setting, and has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by their education or childcare setting
You’re unable to work from home and will lose income because you have to care for your child while they are self-isolating
You meet all the other eligibility criteria for a Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment
You can claim up to 42 days after the first day of your, or your child’s self-isolation period.
For the application, you will need to provide the following:
An NHS Test and Trace Account ID, sometimes referred to as a CTAS number. If you test positive for Covid-19, or are told to self-isolate by contact tracers, you will be provided with an NHS Test and Trace Account ID
A bank statement
Proof of employment or, if you’re self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services that cannot be undertaken without social contact
If applying for your child, you will need to input your child’s NHS Test and Trace Account ID or proof of communication from their education or childcare setting telling them to self-isolate.
What are the rules in self-isolation?
NHS Test and Trace will advise on when your isolation period starts and ends, but it typically lasts 10 days from the day contact was made.
Unless you are exempt it is illegal to not self-isolate if you have been contacted and you could be fined if you do not obide the rules.
You should not leave your home for any reason when you are self isolating.
Do not go to work, school or public places – work from home if you can
Do not go on public transport or use taxis
Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
Do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care
Do not go out to exercise – exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one
I assist various clients from various backgrounds to overcome or disguise hair loss or damaged hair challenges. Most of them want to learn how to stimulate faster, stronger healthier hair growth. There are many hair growth products in the market place but, I am going to take a look at Castor Oil in particular today, mainly because it is a natural product and not many people understand it’s properties.
Castor oil is a thick, odorless oil made from the seeds of the castor plant. Its use dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was first used as lamp fuel and later for medicinal and beauty treatments — Cleopatra reportedly believed the oil would brighten the whites of her eyes.
Today, most of the world’s castor oil is produced in India. Modern research backs up some of its traditional uses, including laxative effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to help induce labor.
While studies continue to investigate other potential health benefits, castor oil is considered safe if used as directed, and can be found in a range of skin and hair care products sold today. Pure castor oil is also available at many specialty health stores.
You can put the oil directly on your skin and scalp or take it orally in small amounts. Some people also make castor “oil packs.” Castor oil packs are made of cloth that is soaked in castor oil and applied to affected areas. Because of its potency, castor oil is not used in cooking or added to food.
Firstlys we must outline that there are two types of castor oil available.
• yellow castor oil, made by cold pressing fresh castor beans
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• black castor oil, made by roasting the castor beans and then using heat to extract the oil
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Further on in this article we will outline the differences, uses, benefits and risks.
Nutrition Information
A one-tablespoon serving of castor oil contains:
• Calories: 120
• Protein: 0 grams
• Fat: 14 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams
Castor oil is a good source of:
• Vitamin E
• Omega-9 f atty a cids
• Omega-6 f atty a cids
More than 90% of castor oil’s fatty acid content is ricinoleic acid. Research shows that this omega-9 has pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects. When applied to the skin may help relieve issues like joint pain and menstrual cramps.
Potential Health Benefits of Castor Oil
Castor oil is a common ingredient in many beauty products. It’s rich in essential fatty acids that moisturize the skin, and research continues to study how their properties may be effective in treating common skin conditions.
Castor oil has also been used to help pregnant women with delivery for centuries. In fact, a survey from 1999 found that 93% of midwives in the U.S. used castor oil to induce labor. While further research is needed, one study found that castor oil initiated labor in 91% of women with little to no childbirth complications.
Other potential health benefits associated with castor oil include:
Laxative Properties
One of castor oil’s most traditional uses is to stimulate digestion, relieving temporary constipation. Modern research has found that this effect is due to the oil’s high levels of ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that acts as a natural laxative.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Studies show that castor oil’s ricinoleic acid reduces swelling and pain caused by inflammation. Research suggests that, when applied to the skin, castor oil may reduce arthritis symptoms more effectively than prescription topical treatments. More studies are needed to confirm this effect in humans.
May Heal Wounds
Castor oil’s fatty acids are natural humectants, substances used to moisturize the skin by preventing water loss. This effect can promote good skin health, relieve dryness, and soothe skin inflammation.
It may also have the potential to accelerate wound healing. Castor oil is a triglyceride that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Research shows that, when applied to the skin, it may prevent infection, reduce inflammation, improve localized blood flow, and shed damaged skin cells — all of which help skin’s healing process.
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Treats Some Skin Conditions
Castor oil can benefit overall skin health, but may treat specific skin conditions as well. Though there’s a lack of clinical research, its combination of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects is thought to help treat some causes of acne. One study showed that castor oil also fights fungal infections, which may help relieve hard-to-treat fungal acne.
Other studies have found castor oil helpful in the treatment of melasma, dandruff, and ringworm.
Potential Risks of Castor Oil
When applied to the skin, castor oil is considered safe for most people to use. However, its dermatological effects are still being studied, so be sure to follow your doctor’s advice when treating any skin conditions.
If you take it internally, castor oil’s potent fatty acids can pose health risks. Castor oil is a powerful laxative. It is recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a way to relieve temporary constipation, but it isn’t suitable for long-term treatment. Use castor oil in small amounts and be sure to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.
What is Ricin
Castor beans naturally contain the poison ricin. If you chew and swallow castor beans, ricin can be released and cause injury. Ricin is also in the waste that is produced in the manufacture of castor oil. Castor oil does not contain ricin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that it is highly unlikely to be intentionally exposed to ricin unless you were to actually eat castor beans. The CDC also indicates that ricin has been the focus of medical experiments to kill cancer cells.
Some health risks associated with castor oil use include:
Allergies
Some people may be allergic to the castor plant and experience itching, swelling, or rashes when using castor oil.
Physical Discomfort
Ingesting too much castor oil can cause nausea, cramps, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Use it as advised by your doctor and don’t take it on an empty stomach.
Pregnancy Concerns
Because castor oil may help induce labor, pregnant women should avoid it. There is also a lack of research on its effects on infants, children, and breastfeeding women.
Medication Interactions
If taken with diuretics, adrenal corticosteroids, or licorice root, castor oil may reduce the potassium content in your body to dangerously low levels.
Overdose
Taken orally, large amounts of castor oil can be poisonous. Symptoms of overdose include abdominal cramps, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Use castor oil as directed to avoid unintentional overdose.
Digestive System Damage
Long-term laxative use can cause damage to your digestive system and can even cause electrolyte abnormalities or dehydration. While castor oil can provide occasional constipation relief, you should talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options before consuming it
Using Castor Oil for Hair Growth
The most popular oil for hair growth is Black castor oil, which is made by roasting the castor beans and then using heat to extract the oil
Read a related blog
Because the method of starting with roasted beans was developed in Jamaica, black castor oil is often referred to as Jamaican black castor oil.
There are, however, many people who, supported primarily by anecdotal evidence, feel that using black castor oil on their hair promotes hair health and hair growth.
One way that proponents of black castor oil support their position is by aligning it with the benefits of other essential oils.
Although there are indications that many oils, such as peppermint oil (according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source) and lavender oil (according to a 2016 studyTrusted Source), have potential as hair growth-promoting agents, there is a lack of qualified studies on black castor oil and its effect on human hair.
• Benefits
• How to Use It
• What to Look For
• Side Effects
• Precautions and Concerns
Castor oil is often praised as a natural solution for hair growth. An age-old remedy long used in traditional medicine, castor oil is said to moisturize the scalp, ease dandruff, and leave your hair smooth, strong, and shiny.
Sourced from the castor bean, castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid known to fight inflammation.1 When applied to the scalp, it is thought to promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.
This section discusses the benefits of castor oil for your hair along with how to use it. It also covers what to look for when choosing a castor oil product and the possible side effects you may encounter.
Benefits
Some of the claims you may have heard about castor oil’s benefits for hair include:
• Castor oil increases blood flow to the scalp, which promotes healthier hair.
• Applying it just once a month can boost hair growth up to five times the usual rate.
• Castor oil can moisturize a dry, irritated scalp.
• Castor oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties can reduce dandruff.
There is very little evidence to back up the claims that castor oil specifically can improve hair health and growth.
There is, however, evidence that individual nutrients in castor oil, including vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), increase blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth. This explains why vitamin E is so commonly used in hair loss products.2
Castor oil is also a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the body’s healthy cells—a process known as oxidative stress that leads to hair loss.3
Additionally, castor oil contains omega-6 fatty acids—a type of essential fatty acid that promotes hair growth and reduces inflammation in the hair follicle.4
Recap
There is no scientific evidence that applying castor oil to your hair can boost hair health and growth. More research is needed, though, since specific nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are well known to have these effects.
Learn How and Why Hair Forms and Grows the Way It Does
How to Use It
If you’re interested in using castor oil for hair growth, try rubbing just a few drops of the oil into your scalp. You can also massage a few more drops into your hair’s midsection and ends. This may protect against breakage and improve your hair’s texture.
Castor oil is heavy and very sticky, making it difficult to remove from your hair. It’s best to dilute it with other natural oils like coconut or jojoba. This can also tone down the scent of castor oil, which many people find unpleasant. Simply mix one part castor oil with two parts of another “carrier oil.”
There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair. Leaving it in too long can actually dry out your hair and scalp, though, so it’s best to wash it from your hair after two hours or so.
Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. Using it more frequently than that can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting.
What to Look For
When shopping for castor oil, you might see some products that say “cold-pressed” on their labels. This means the castor seeds are pressed into oil without the use of heat or harsh chemicals. Many people say that cold-pressed oils are the best quality and more nutrient-rich than those processed with heat.
One of the most popular castor oil products for hair care is Jamaican black castor oil. This variety is made with roasted castor beans and the ash produced by the roasting process. Jamaican black castor oil is said to be especially good for thick, dry, and/or coarse hair.
Like any oil, castor oil has a shelf life. Once opened, it can start to go rancid after about one year, so keep that in mind when choosing a product and storing it at home.
Side Effects
There’s some concern that using castor oil as a hair treatment may lead to acute hair felting—a rare disorder in which the hair becomes tangled into a hard mass. Since the condition is irreversible, the only solution is to cut off the affected hair.5
It should also be noted that consuming large amounts of castor oil can be extremely harmful and trigger a number of adverse effects, including:
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath and chest pain
• Skin rash
• Throat tightness
Applying castor oil to your hair shouldn’t cause these problems, but make sure that you or others don’t accidentally swallow it.
Precautions and Concerns
Castor oil can stain your clothes and towels. Take care to cover your head with a shower cap, an old t-shirt or towel until it’s time to wash your hair. This will prevent the oil from dripping onto your clothes or other items. Keep in mind that your hair may require two applications of shampoo in order to completely remove the castor oil.
If you’re thinking of using castor oil as a remedy for hair loss, remember that hair loss may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you notice unexplained hair loss.
Summary
Castor oil is popular among natural beauty enthusiasts, who claim that applying it to your hair can boost your hair’s health, shine, and growth. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims, although some nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are known to be beneficial for hair health.
A Word From Diane Shawe
Hair loss is not just a symptom of getting older. There are many medical conditions that can lead to hair loss, including thyroid disease and alopecia areata. You can also lose noticeable amounts of hair during periods of severe mental or emotional stress.
If you find yourself losing large clumps of hair or you’re suddenly developing bald spots, get in contact with your doctor. When an underlying health condition is to blame, applying castor oil won’t help.
Types of Castor oil and Uses and
CASTOR OIL seeds
Castor oil, also known as a #1 grade Castor oil for products like soap making and general use-
Castor oil is a widely used renewable, bio-degradable and eco-friendly product. It is useful in a wide range of D-I-Y applications including: Soap and lotion making, blending of lotions, salves, creams, shampoos, and more. It is Vegetable Based, has no animal derived products, and there is No Animal Testing on our Castor Oil. It is GLuten free, and contains no Wheat, no Peanuts, no dairy, egg, fish, and is also solvent free .
On popular way to use castor oil is in soapmaking. It is a very useful, beneficial oil in soap making. It is typically used in relatively low percentages depending on the over-formulation and what other oils are used. The addition of the right amount of pure castor oil may enable soap to trace quicker, and make better soap. Plus. castor oil adds the benefit of better and more stable lather. Castor oil is an excellent moisturizer as it attracts and holds moisture to skin. Check your superfatting chart. Sometimes using castor oil will require more sodium hydroxide since it has a high ricinoleic acid content. In softer products, like shampoo bars and skin-care products it is excellent. In the right combination with over vegetable oils, however, it makes a very nice moisturizing and wonderfully emollient, hard bar of soap. Try castor oil in salves, balms, shampoos, hair oils, and other thick emulsions for the skin and hair. It is in all kinds of specialty formulations as a natural emollient and applied to the skin and hair as a softener.(keep away from eyes!)
Many customers tell us they use castor oil as a mole repellant in their yards. They blend it in hose end yard sprayer and spray in the mole holes to rid it of those pesky critters. One recipe passed along to us says to blend in 1 tablespoon of pure Decyl Glucoside with 12- 14 Oz of Pure Castor Oil. For a pump type sprayer add 1 Oz of Decyl Glucoside surfactant to every 32 Oz of Castor oil and then the balance of water up to 2 gallons to treat the mole holes. Spray at least half a gallon in and around the holes. Retreat as necessary. * In tougher situations try adding 2 Oz of natural NEEM OIL to the blend. This will also help with other pesky insects too.
Did you know that pure castor oil is a natural product, made from the beans of the castor plant which can be grown in any tropical region?. The world’s largest producer of castor oil is India, with China and Brazil being a far-distant second and third place.
It’s reported that castor Oil is one of the oldest,most versatile ingredients in use. The evidence of the use of castor oil goes all the way back to ancient Egypt. It has been found in tombs over 4,000 years old. There are other documented uses of castor oil in India, China and other ancient sites that date back thousands of years. In ancient times in the Netherlands, it was called “Wonder Oil” and was thought to be a cure for a multitude of ailments.
Castor Oil still has many useful applications today,from us as a cosmetic ingredient, to an industrial chemical and a specialty chemical. It is also a popular natural polyol, it is used in an increasing number of specialty applications, replacing traditional petroleum based polyols. Another advantage of Castor Oil is that it is not made from a food source so it is really not subject to the controversies that can arise with other plant based oils that are more traditionally used as a food source.
• CASTOR OIL INCI Name: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
• CAS no: 8004-79-4
• EINECS no.: 232-293-8
What is SULFATED TURKEY RED CASTOR OIL
Sulfated Castor oil, is also called “Turkey red” castor oil
Sulfated Castor oil CAS 8002-33-3 Formula: C18H32Na2O2S
Sulfated Castor oil, also known as “Turkey Red” has a wide range of uses including: Soap and lotion making, blending of lotions, salves, creams, shampoos, and more. It is the only castor oil that completely disperses in water and will not leave an oily ring around the tub when you use it in your products to emulsify colors, fragrance and essential oils.
Features of Sulfated Castor/ Turkey Red
• Turkey Red Castor oil completely disperses in water.
• Use it to emulsify fragrance and essential oils so they disburse completely in other water-based products
• Use for superfatting liquid soap so it remains transparent
• Excellent humectant & moisturizing properties
• Has a typical sulfated castor oil odor but is easily disguised in formulations using typical fragrance and essential oils.
Sulfated castor oil. also known as Turkey Red oil is very useful since it will completely disperse in water. It contains all of the same humectant and moisturizing properties of Cosmetic Castor Oil but in a water soluble form. Castor Turkey Red is a common addition to bath products, natural soaps, lotions etc. Try using it to formulation balms, shampoos, hair oils, and other thick emulsions for the skin and hair.
Sulfated Castor Oil is also seen in formulations as a natural emollient and applied to the skin and hair as a softener. (keep away from eyes!)
PEG 40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor oil – is also a very popular derivative of castor oil
PEG 40 Castor oil, also known as Castor oil ethoxylate (POE 40) is a Multifunctional Oil-in-Water Emulsifier, surfactant, foam booster.
PEG 40 Castor oil is a multifunctional non ionic surfactant used as fragrance builder and fragrance solubilizer, emulsifier. PEG 40 can be incorporated in to a formulation to help solubilize PLUS act as a foam booster, which benefits the formulator by possibly eliminating a secondary surfactant, or lessening the use of a secondary surfactant for example.
In some formulations it is a good replacement for polysorbates used to incorporate fragrances and oils in to water based blends like shampoos and body washes. Whether you are making creams and lotions, floral waters, room and fabric sprays, body washes, shampoos, even bath bombs, and need a good solubilizer for colors, fragrances, give PEG 40 Castor oil a try.
It is a safe, easy to use, vegetable derived non ionic surfactant, and serves a number of useful purposes.
Out side of uses in the personal care formulations, ethoxylated castor oil POE 40 is found in lubricants, specialty formulations that have applications in metals, textiles and other areas too.
Non Ionic – Compatible with non-ionic, anionic, and cationic ingredients and products.
Useful as a surfactant (foam booster.) As an emulsifier, solubilizer, and foam booster. Miscible in both oils and in water Use in a heated oil, or in cool down phase at 1% to 10%, although it’s safe to use up to 100% (Neat) on skin.
Cloud Point: 185°F (85.0°C)
Black Castor oil (Jamaican Black Castor oil)
Cold pressed Black Castor Oil (Jamaican Black Castor oil) also known as JBCO
Jamaican Black Castor Oil, JBCO for short, is a liquid extracted and cold-pressed from roasted seeds of the castor plant, known by the botanical / latin name Ricinus communis Seed
The difference between “regular ” castor oil and Jamaican Black Castor oil are that the seeds are roasted before the liquid castor oil is extracted from the seeds, This roasting process means that the oil has a dark burnt orange to reddish-brown appearance. It also has a different fragrance – it is a roasted nutty fragrance.
Roasting the seeds also raises the pH level of Black Castor Oil which results in a preferred ingredient for making many hair and cosmetic formulations.
Black Castor Oil, or JBCO is very popular in skin and hair care products and formulations. Many cite that the JBCO improves hair growth, and use it to massage in to the hair. Other sources cite that the black castor oil may improve circulation, to help stimulate follicles. Products made with the black castor oil often advertise that it helps moisturize the hair and eliminates hair split ends, and it is used as an alternative to, or even in addition to traditional hair conditioners.
Typical Uses: Skin and Hair Care, hair conditioning, personal care products, Medicinal type topical products, Ayurveda
The effects of drinking Alkaline water on our body
We’ve all heard that drinking water is good for us and we’re often told to drink around 2 litres a day. But all waters are not equal. What is good quality water and how can it norish the body?
I work with a lot of clients who are experiencing hair loss, low energy, joint aches and pains and even weak nails. I had those same issues until I started to explore the benefits of drinking good quality water. What I mean by this is alkaline water?
I was reading and watching a lot of healthy eating books and videos by Dr Sebi https://drsebiscellfood.com/ and he kept mentioning Alkaline foods and drinks. So I set out to find out how I could drink Alkaline water everyday effortlessly and came across pH Replenish which I will introduce you to later. However what I really wanted to do is share the benefit of drinking alkaline water.
So does alkaline water have even more health benefits than regular tap or bottled water?
Firstly, why is drinking all that water so good for us?
Over half of our body is water! Our cells, organs and bones all need water to function properly. In fact, our brains and hearts are made up of about 70% water.
Although drinking water doesn’t seem very glamorous, if we become dehydrated we can quickly begin to lose concentration and focus, become lethargic and have sugar cravings. In the long term, dehydration can result in organ failure and humans can only survive for 3 or 4 days without water.
OK, So water is good for us. But what’s the difference between regular water from the tap and alkaline water?
Regular tap water usually has a neutral PH of 7 (although it can be lower) whilst alkaline water has a PH over 7.
7 is neutral and any lower than 7 is acidic. As an example, corrosive liquids like lemon juice have a PH of around 2.5.
Water usually has a natural PH higher than 7 which comes from the minerals and salts found in the earth. But as the water passes through our man-made pipes and water distribution systems it loses a lot of it’s minerals and as a result the PH levels drop.
The blood in our bodies has a PH around 7.4 and the systems in our bodies work hard to maintain that level. Many alkaline water fans believe that drinking filtered water with a higher PH means that we are giving our bodies a helping hand to keep to that healthy PH of 7.4.
Are there any other advantages to drinking alkaline water?
1 Reducing acid levels within our bodies
It’s widely believed that drinking alkaline water can help to reduce or balance the acid levels within our bodies.
Having too much acid in our body can result in a long list of issues including fatigue, confusion, joint pain and inflammation, headaches, an elevated heart rate and digestion problems. This ‘acidosis’ occurs when our kidneys cannot remove all the excess acid from our body.
Acid in our body can also strip important minerals like calcium and magnesium from our bones which can lead to diseases like osteoporosis.
Cancer is also known to thrive in acidic environments and struggles to survive in alkaline environments. The opportunity to reduce acid in the body could be a significant benefit of drinking alkaline water for many people.
2 Anti-oxidant effects
Alkaline water is high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are great for our body and our overall health. They help us to keep repairing our cells to keep us looking and feeling fit and healthy.
3 Anti-aging
Another benefit that drinking alkaline water can have for our bodies is an anti-ageing effect. A 2016 study on mice which ran for three years suggested that drinking alkaline water increased their life span significantly.
4 A treatment for acid reflux
A report by Dr. Jamie Koufman concluded that alkaline water with a PH of 8.8 can work as an effective treatment for people who suffer from acid reflux. Alkaline water has the ability to neutralise the stomach acid causing this unpleasant disease.
5 Hydration
The molecules in alkaline water are smaller than in our regular tap water. This means that our bodies can absorb alkaline water more easily without that bloated feeling that regular water can sometimes give you.
6 Reducing high blood pressure
One study carried out in Shanghai discovered that drinking alkaline water for 3 to 6 months brought high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipid levels back to normal.
7 Decreasing blood thickness
A paper Weidman et al found that drinking alkaline water after exercise helps to thin out the blood faster then normal water. This is useful to aid recovery after exercise and could be potentially life saving for individuals suffering from thickened or hardened arteries who want to improve their fitness with less risk.
8 Preventing obesity
Many alkaline water enthusiasts report that it helps with weight loss. Backing up this claim, a 2013 study found that when obese mice drank alkaline water for 7 weeks they lost weight compared with mice drinking regular water but eating the same diet.
The benefits of drinking alkaline water are very promising and many people who drink alkaline water report considerable health benefits. However, many of these studies and reports have only been carried out in labs or on a small scale so it would be nice to see more research demonstrating the many benefits of alkaline water.
Are there any side effects to drinking Alkaline water?
As with anything, if you consume too much there can be negative effects. Although it is extremely unusual, an over consumption of alkaline products could lead to alkalosis. Having too much alkaline in the body can bring on the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. However, if we drink alkaline water alongside a healthy and varied diet we would be very unlikely to experience this effect.
Slowly increasing the amount of alkaline water that we drink allows our bodies to adapt to the increased mineral content and higher PH and reduces the likelihood of any unwanted side effects.
How can I get alkaline water in my own home?
Installing a water filter is the easiest way for us to access unlimited alkaline water and Invigorated Water offers a variety of alkaline water filter systems to suit every home.
Counter top filters for kitchens with plenty of space hold enough water for the entire family. Smaller pitcher filters will fit easily into the fridge door where you can keep them cool.
Or, there faucet filters are a great option to easily provide alkaline water in your home and are easy to install.
If you are on the go and want to make sure that you have your alkaline water with you, try one of our bottle filters. Not only do they make your water taste better, they also look great.
You can also benefit from using alkaline water in your shower.
When you shower, water is vaporized into steam which you inhale as you shower. By installing a shower filter such as the PH Rejuvenate shower head filter, which increases the PH of your water you’ll know that you are breathing in safe, alkaline steam rather than potentially harmful, acidic water.
Showering with alkaline water can also be good for your skin. One study found that applying alkaline water to the sun damaged skin of mice helped to reduce the damage. Alkaline water has an anti-inflammatory effect that was also seen in people bathing in high PH spring water. Many of our customers report that their hair and skin feels noticeably softer and smoother after showering under our shower head filters.
Another advantage of the Invigorated Water filters is that they can remove any unwanted toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from our drinking water whilst adding in healthy minerals like magnesium and calcium.
Pollutants often work their way into our water supply and can be missed by our government water treatment stations, particularly if our water is carried through old pipes, across long distances.
Increasing the PH of your drinking water to make it alkaline, removing pollutants and adding in the healthy minerals allows your body to thrive. By choosing to drink filtered, alkaline water you are looking after your health in one simple, easy step.
So I hope you found this article useful, I have been drinking alkaline water for the past 18 months and have seen and felt the difference.
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