When it comes to health, water plays a major role. In fact, no other substance is as important as water in our bodies. So, if you are drinking plenty of water every single day, you’re already doing something beneficial for your health.

However, you may have heard about alkaline or ionized water. This water is less acidic than tap water, and therefore is a healthier option. Let’s investigate whether ionized water is really beneficial or it’s just a myth.

What is alkaline water?

Alkaline water is loaded with alkalizing compounds, including silica, magnesium, bicarbonate, and calcium.

Some people and even health experts in Singapore believe that a diet with more alkaline—including consumption of more alkaline water—can reduce the body’s acidity level, which leads to better overall health. However, there are still some who are sceptical and question whether drinking ionized water significantly helps with the health.

Is it worth every dollar to buy a water filter to alkalize water or is it just another diet trend?

Do you need to alkalize water?

The concept of alkalizing water is this: tap water usually has lower pH level (acidic) due to the dissolved elements in it. Pure water has ph level lower than seven, while alkaline water has pH level above seven. The idea is that to create a balanced alkaline in the body by drinking water with higher pH level.

However, there’s a problem with this concept. First, each internal organ requires different pH range, and our body’s natural mechanism does a fantastic job of maintaining them in their respective range.

Secondly, if you body’s pH is unbalanced, it’s crucial to get into the root of the problem instead of relying to ionized water. Without the right diagnosis, you cannot determine whether ionized water can really help you.

Once you get into the bottom of the problem and have find way to counteract it, you can then boost the medication’s and your body’s ability to cure the problem by consuming alkaline water—though it’s still recommended to ask for your doctor’s advice before doing so.

What are the benefits of alkaline water?

With that being said, let’s explore the health benefits of ionized water from www.h2olifesource.com in Singapore before judging the method, as many sceptics do.

• Helps Prevent With Glycation

In a research, ionized water seems to lower glycation levels and reduce liver damage in rate with poor sugar control. Why is this important? Here’s the reason behind:

Glycation is a body reaction that occurs when sugar molecules like glucose or fructose, attaches to proteins or fatty lipids without moderation of enzyme. In result, rogue molecules known as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed, which are directly associated to diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, although rats and humans are not the same, the benefits of ionized water still lean on the positive side. While it’s tricky to directly relate animal studies to human health, the rest of the water’s health benefits prove how much alkaline helps in boosting human health.

• Enhances Body Stamina

If there’s one group of people that will benefit the most from drinking alkalized water, it is those who are physically active. Intense work-out stimulates the muscle to produce more hydrogen ions, thus increasing the body’s acidity level and encouraging fatigue. Drinking ionized water enhances the body’s ability to control acidity, therefore enhancing the performance. Plus, over time, the mineral content of the water helps active individuals retain fluid in the cardiovascular system. This improves overall body hydration and fluid reserves.

• Boosts Gut Health

Some components of ionized water help improve the gut health. Ionized water has negative oxidation-reduction potential, meaning it offers extra disinfectant properties. With this component, drinking ionized water can provide the body additional protection against health-threatening microorganisms.

• Slows Down Aging Process

Toxins that circulate inside the body are among the top causes of premature aging. As ionized water helps get rid of these toxins out of your system, the body’s aging process slows down. It also rids the body of free radicals that can cause cell degeneration. Rather than wreaking havoc on your health, the alkaline properties of the water transform free radicals into oxygen that your body can utilize.

• Improves Your Skin

It’s no secret how adequate water intake promotes healthy and glowing skin. Drinking alkaline water enhances the process of skin rejuvenation by also removing toxins from the skin, allowing healthy skin cells to flourish.

Where to find alkaline water?

If you want to give alkaline water a try, it can get confusing to know which waters are alkaline. But it’s essential to know that bottled mineral waters are more alkaline than non-mineral ones. These waters can range from pH level of 6.0 to 9.5.

The most practical way, however, instead of buying bottled water is to buy an ionizing water filter, which is called water ionizer. In Singapore, water ionizers are available in machine and tumbler form. These ionizers can turn tap water into alkaline in the convenience of your own home—or wherever you are with ionizing tumblers.

Generally, people hardly notice what’s happening inside the body. We lack the tools to interpret or don’t have the time to notice the signals our body conveys in terms of change—positive or negative. Still, equipped with the basic knowledge that modern lifestyle is the number one culprit of unhealthy body, we should provide our body with a beneficial nudge in dealing with day-to-day challenges. A simple tweak, like consuming a couple of glasses of alkalized water in a day, goes a long way in keeping our health at its prime.

Other than the toilet and the kitchen sink, which are expected to be among the nastiest places at home that requires frequent cleaning, there are a few more spots that are surprisingly thriving with bacteria but don’t get that much tidying up.

Here are some of the unexpected spots and objects that contain large amount of health-threatening bacteria and, thus, also requires regular sterilization.

1. Kitchen Sponge

This cleaning tool holds 10 million bacteria every square inch. Clean your sponges by running them through a dishwashing cycle or microwave them while wet for two minutes.

2. Chopping Boards

Astoundingly, chopping boards have 200 times more fecal bacteria than toilets, from raw meat particularly animal insides where fecal bacteria exist. To clean them, run your plastic chopping boards through the dishwasher and let them dry completely before storing.

3. Pillows

Pillows are contaminated with fungi, which you breathe in while you’re asleep. Keeping the pillows free from fungi is important especially to people with sinusitis and asthma. Make sure to wash you pillows regularly in hot water at least once a month.

4. Cell Phones

It’s not very surprising to know that cellular phones, which we breathe and spit on, are playground for bacteria. As much as possible, disinfect your phone with antiseptic wipes every day.

5. TV Remote

Have you ever thought of cleaning your TV remote? Probably, no. The remote control, being one of the most touched items, makes it one of the germiest spots in every household. And because it is seldom cleaned, the possibilities of disease-causing bacteria thriving in it are extreme. Clean your remote with sanitary wipes at least once a week.

6. Stove Knobs

It’s no surprise that the kitchen is the germiest area of the house, and our hands often contaminate stove knobs. Unfortunately, it’s just another part that we often forget to clean up. Aside from cleaning the knobs, as part of hygiene, wash your hands before and after using the kitchen.

Now that you’re aware of the six more contaminated places and objects at home, it’s time to start wiping, washing, and cleaning these often-neglected areas. Germs and bacteria may not be visible to the naked eye, but they sure are there, waiting for a chance to strike fast and hard.

Many people in Singapore, who wish to correct their vision, are confused which surface ablation procedure to go for. Though LASIK eye surgery has been a well-known solution for correcting vision problems, surface ablation procedures (PRK, LASEK, and Epi-LASIK) also offer the same results but with less invasive surgical method. Unlike LASIK, these procedures don’t require creation of corneal flaps, which reduces the risk of scarring, discomfort, and post-operative complications.

PRK

Before the existence of LASIK, Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) was the only known refractive surgical method that used an excimer laser to sculpt and correct a patient’s vision. Because of the benefits it provides that LASIK eye surgery cannot, this eye surgery is still widely performed by many surgeons throughout Singapore.

Unlike LASIK, PRK carefully vaporize corneal tissue by using an excimer laser. With this, the patient’s healthy corneal tissue is left intact and unharmed. Afterwards, a special contact lens that acts as a bandage is placed over the cornea to protect the eye and promote healing, which usually takes a week or two. Since PRK doesn’t make use of much corneal tissues, patients with thin cornea can correct their vision through this laser eye method.

Epi-LASIK

The surgical procedure of Epi-LASIK by Tony Lasik in Singapore and PRK are almost identical. The only difference is that with Epi-LASIK, Singapore surgeons replace the separated epithelial cells after the cornea is corrected with a laser. With PRK, the loosened epithelial tissue is completely removed. The replacement of epithelial cells to the cornea is done to protect the new epithelial cells while it’s still healing.

The visual results and advantages of Epi-LASIK and PRK are also the same, including quicker recovery and lesser chances of flap complications. Some Singapore optometrists and ophthalmologists predict that Epi-LASIK will soon become popular in Singapore patients who must undergo PRK.

LASEK

The Epi-LASIK and LASEK procedures also have a few similarities. Unlike LASIK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK don’t require cutting of corneal layer, which make these procedure less invasive. The main difference of the two eye laser techniques is the handling of the superficial corneal skin. In LASEK, the epithelial tissue is manually folded out of the way. With Epi-LASIK the flap is moved mechanically.

By folding the epithelial tissue to the side, the underlying eye collagen surface is exposed. With the use of an excimer laser, the cornea is reshaped from the surface and anything that hampers clear vision are removed and corrected. After the cornea is sculpted, the folded epithelial flap is then carefully repositioned to its original place.

Without cutting the corneal layer, like what LASIK does, normal shape of cornea and healthy corneal tissues are preserved. Furthermore, with these less invasive procedures, the normal sensation of the cornea is maintained and clear vision is immediately restored. Recent studies have shown that after a average of two to three months, patients of surface ablation procedures slightly better sight condition than patients of LASIK surgery. With PRK, LASEK, and Epi-LASIK, Singapore patients who are not qualified for conventional LASIK surgery can now have the chance to correct their eyesight.

Cancer is widespread. Survival will vary depending on the type and the stage. In this case, you should think about breast cancer. Breast cancer is prevalent in women. If you are a woman over 40 years old, it is necessary that you submit to BSS (BreastScreen Singapore). This is the initiative of the government to encourage many women to go for breast screening at least once in every two years especially if they are over 50 years old.

Remember that early diagnosis followed by treatments will increase your chances of surviving. How can you protect yourself against breast cancer? Here are some tips:

Self Examination

It is important that you practice and observe breast self examination every month. There is a right way to do the self examination, ask your doctor about it. Generally, you just need to feel if there are lumps present. If you want to be sure, you can feel your breast every day.

Mammogram

Mammogram employs two plates for compressing the breast for a few seconds. This will cause a little pain and discomfort but this should be carried out to get a clear X-ray. For women ages 40 to 49, they are recommended to submit to mammogram once a year. For women ages 50 years and above, they are recommended to submit to mammogram once in every two years.

Eat Right and Exercise Regularly

Your lifestyle affects your health. The food choices you make and the things you do will surely impact your health. It is crucial that you pick and eat the right food. Basically, fruits and vegetables should be consumed. Exercise strengthens the body. You should make time to consider physical activities. At least 150 to 200 minutes of physical activities every week will suffice.

Many cases of breast cancer are acquired. This means that your lifestyle heavily influenced in the development of cancer but to others, breast cancer (or any cancer) runs in the family. Regardless, it pays to be careful and vigilant. If you feel something, go to the doctor right away no matter how other people ridicule you for being “paranoid”.

The Healthy Living Master Plan is created to encourage healthy lifestyle for all Singaporeans. The vision of this plan is to guarantee that all Singaporeans have equal access to healthy living. It has three components:

• Place: Healthy Living Master Plan seeks to create a conducive environment for all Singaporeans so they can maintain and sustain healthy lifestyle.
• People: Healthy Living Master Plan seeks to create a healthy and fit community for all Singaporeans. The group of people who participate in it will continuously motivate each other to achieve healthy lifestyle.
• Price: Healthy Living Master Plan seeks to create reasonable choices so that healthy living is available to all Singaporeans regardless of their status in life.

There are others areas that are covered by the Healthy Living Master Plan. These areas include immunization, balanced diet, smoke free lifestyle, physical activities, health screening and mental well being. Economic progress is not possible if the population is unhealthy. All material things will not matter if you are sickly and unhappy. If you live healthily, even if you may not have everything in life, you certainly have a life to live happily.

Good news for employees who want to lead a healthy lifestyle: the Health Promotion Board has revealed the first Healthy Workplace Ecosystems at the Mapletree Business City (MBC) last October. This is part of the 3 components of the Healthy Living Master Plan. The MBC Healthy Workplace Ecosystem aims to persuade more Singaporeans to espouse healthy lifestyle. Apart from the creation of Healthy Workplace Ecosystem, there have been programmes initiated by HPB like Healthier Food Trail, Sunrise in the City, i-Run and many more.

As an employer, have you imagined one of your trustworthy employees, with undetected hypertension, slowly develops damages in his major body organs, which lead to serious heart attack? Then after the cardiovascular attack, it required the employee for prolonged hospitalization, surgical treatment, and intensive medical attention, which, therefore, incapacitate him from working for your company? Now, imagine the opposite. What if the high blood pressure was detected early through corporate health screening?  It would have made a significant change, and your best employee would have got to maintain his good health, as well as saving you from medical claims and productivity loss.

Aside from allowing your employees to be knowledgeable of their current health status, worksite health screenings are economical and an advance method of improving your employees’ health. This could be especially helpful to employees with higher risks of acquiring serious diseases who seldom or do not visit a personal physician at all. Corporate screenings that provide Asiamedic health screening packages in Singapore can identify the kinds of risk employees have, and the healthcare provider can provide counseling to individuals about their unfavorable lifestyle choices and help cope up by offering opportunities on how to save their wellbeing.

Furthermore, as the head of the company, you can help develop a good lifestyle to your employees by planning worksite health programs based from the group’s overall health status result. Through the worksite health program, health risks are prevented from getting worse as well as keeping your company’s productivity at its best.

Corporate health screening is a health method used by many Singapore companies to lower health benefit expenses to offer to the employees. A successful screening brings value to you and your employees beyond immediate identification of potentially fatal but totally treatable diseases.

Corporate Health Screening Package

Most Singapore worksite screenings are limited to several tests that are proven to be effective in detecting illnesses for which early identification makes a great difference. These tests should also be appropriate and practical in the worksite environment. Most health screening packages that companies offer to their good employees are the following:

1. Cholesterol — the cholesterol test is performed through getting a blood sample by quickly pricking a finger. The sample blood is examined and result is provided immediately.
2. Blood sugar — like the cholesterol test, blood sugar level can also be measured with a quick finger prick and immediately provides detection whether a person is diabetic or not. Though fasting gives more accurate result than random measurement, it’s not really necessary.
3. Body Mass Index — this test is completed by calculating the height and weight of a person to determine if he’s obese or not.
4. Blood pressure — all health screening packages have this test as it is the most important examination that people should undergo. Blood pressure test can detect almost all kinds of heart diseases and alert the person to a very perilous, but treatable, health condition.
5. Coaching/Counseling — this is an exit interview with the healthcare provider to help clarify the results of the tests, answer any concerns or questions the employee might have, and provide options and opportunities to a better physical condition.