The Magic of mineral water...

In an effort to be healthier, we often do well-intentioned dumb shit (I absolutely include myself in this category.  It's often how we end up with blog posts like this one).

​Exhibit A: Several months ago I ordered a Zero Water Filter because I'm endeavoring to remove as much toxic crap from my life as possible.  It works a charm; my water now has zero contaminants!

Regrettably, it also now has zero trace minerals, which are essential to life, the universe, and everything.  Symptoms of mineral deficiencies can include (but aren't limited to) headaches, fatigue, muscle or body aches, numbness and tingling, irregular heartbeat, constipation, anxiety, and generally just feeling like poo.  For me, it showed up like ✨crushing✨ fatigue.  Seriously, I needed to be scraped out of bed every morning with a spatula.  I simply forgot to do the  mineral replacement thing, because ADHD.

​So if you plan to filter your water - and I recommend that you do - you will now need to replace your trace minerals.  Luckily there are a few simple and tasty ways to do this. While you can purchase a variety of trace mineral supplements or alternatives (see the list at the bottom of the post), my favorite way to get my trace minerals is mineral water.  Because I'm a geek, I prefer to make my own at home.

Mineral water is great for a variety of reasons: 

1. This delightful elixir tends to have a natural balance and concentration of essential minerals, specifically in healthy proportions.  It can be easy to overdo it when taking supplements in capsule or liquid form.  Too much of any mineral or vitamin can be just as bad as not enough.  In some cases, it's actually worse.

2. Mineral water usually has the right combination of trace minerals that we need.  Our bodies require a variety of minerals, including things like sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and more.  If we filter our water and rely on supplements to replace what we've pulled out, that can add up to a lot of pills, and subsequently a lot of money.  
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3. You can buy mineral water, OR you can make your own.  The homemade option provides some nifty cost savings.  It also allows you to tinker with the flavor based on which minerals you use.  It reduces rubbish/waste because you're not constantly throwing away or recycling bottles.  And it's fun, because science.

​Making mineral water is incredibly easy and takes just a few ingredients and a little time.  I use the following recipe, and because I'm obsessed with bubbles, I like to carbonate mine using my Soda Stream:

1. In a gallon jar/jug, add filtered water along with the following FOOD GRADE minerals:
   1. 1/2 tsp Calcium Citrate
   2. 1/2 tsp Food Grade Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate; this is NOT what you get off the shelf at a drug store or pharmacy)
   3. 1/2 tsp Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
2. Shake the jug to distribute the minerals and allow to sit at room temperature for a few hours until the minerals have dissolved.
3. Place the jug into the refrigerator to chill if desired.  If choosing to carbonate your water with an at-home system such as a Soda Stream, be sure to chill your water before carbonating.  Cold water holds carbonation/bubbles better than warm water.
4. Sip and enjoy!

*Note: this recipe does not include potassium, but you can add a little Potassium Bicarbonate as well

Whatever minerals you add, they MUST be food grade, meaning that they're safe to eat.  If you just go to the drug store and pick up Epsom salts, there are often additives that cannot be eaten, and can actually make you incredibly sick.  Do your research ahead of time.

If you're not a do-it-yourself-er, there are other options to ensure that you're getting the right amount of minerals into your system.  These include things like: 

• Mineral stones, which can be placed in the bottom of your filtration container.  The filtered water will absorb the minerals as it sits there.
• Trace mineral drops - I prefer the Trace Minerals brand
• Store-bought mineral water, such as Gerolsteiner or San Pellegrino

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In discussing my dip-shittery of failing to replace my minerals with one of my clients, he mentioned that he, too, filters his water and wasn't replacing his trace minerals.  He went out that day, bought some mineral water, and drank 2 glasses every for 2 weeks.  He discovered that the numbness in his legs that his doctors were struggling to diagnose simply disappeared.  He had a mineral deficiency! 

​This doesn't mean that mineral water is a cure for all your ills.  However, a healthy mineral intake is essential for a healthy body and life.  So go forth and drink rocks (which sounds like an insult but totally isn't.  Unless you fancy making it one.  If you do, tag me on Instagram @theburnoutwitch #drinkrocks)

*Note: This article contains affiliate links.  This article is not sponsored.  All products listed are items Dr. Collins has personally vetted, sampled, or used herself.  We do not promote products or companies that we have not personally vetted.