TL;DR Tap water contains harmful chemicals like arsenic, pesticides, residual medication, and disinfection byproducts, which can make your MTHFR gene work less effectively. This can lead to health problems like brain fog, blood clots, mood swings, and fertility issues. To protect yourself, drink filtered or spring water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, consider detox support supplements, and take high-quality electrolytes.†
The Dangers in Tap Water: What’s Really in It?
Most of us drink tap water without thinking twice about it.
But did you know that it contains harmful substances like arsenic, chlorine, jet fuel, pesticides, fluoride, and even residual medication like birth control? 1,2
You do not want these chemicals in your body because they can disturb how your cells work.
The treatment of tap water creates disinfection byproducts that can affect the levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water. This makes the water less healthy and hydrating. Some studies even suggest that these chemicals can impact fertility. 3
When you drink water with these contaminants, your body has to work hard to filter them out. This puts additional strain on your system, especially if you have a dirty MTHFR gene.
Dirty MTHFR and Tap Water Contaminants
If your MTHFR gene isn’t working properly because of a genetic mutation (Dr Ben Lynch refers to it as a "Born Dirty Gene"), your body may have trouble detoxifying, especially when it comes to harmful substances like arsenic, a heavy metal. 4,5
That’s because to remove something like arsenic effectively, your body needs healthy levels of glutathione and SAMe, which are important substances that the MTHFR enzyme helps make. 6
Even if you don’t have a genetic mutation, harmful substances in tap water can still make your MTHFR gene not work as well ("Got Dirty” Gene). These substances can affect how well your MTHFR gene does its job, disturbing its function.
When your MTHFR gene is dirty, it can cause many health problems and symptoms, such as: 7,8,9
- Poor detoxification
- Brain fog and trouble thinking clearly
- Mood swings
- Low mood and nervousness
- Blood clots
- High homocysteine levels
- Digestive issues
- Infertility, miscarriages, or congenital abnormalities
The good news is that you have control over different factors related to the water you drink and how well-hydrated your body is, helping it function at its best.
Simple Steps for Safer and Better Hydration
Here are some simple steps you can follow to drink safer water and avoid harmful substances that can affect your health and well-being:
- Choose Filtered or Spring Water: Opt for filtered or spring water from a trusted source. Make sure the spring water has been tested for purity. If you filter your water at home, consider using a high-quality filtration system like reverse osmosis to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria.
- Test Your Water Quality Regularly: If you're using a filter, it's important to test your water regularly for contaminants like lead, pesticides, or bacteria. You can use home testing kits or send samples to a lab for more thorough testing.
- Avoid Excessive Caffeine and Alcohol: Too much caffeine (from coffee, tea, or energy drinks) and alcohol can cause dehydration. 10
- Use Electrolytes for Better Hydration: Electrolytes are essential for proper hydration. Consider investing in a high-quality electrolyte supplement since our soil and diet are often insufficient in important minerals like potassium and magnesium.† 11,12
- Eat Foods High in Water and Mineral Content: Incorporate high-water-content foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges into your diet to help you stay hydrated throughout the day. When possible, always choose organic.
- Consider Using Efficient Detoxification Supplements. They support your body's ability to remove harmful substances, especially if you have MTHFR mutations.†
By following these simple steps, you're helping support the healthy activities of the MTHFR enzyme and detox systems, supporting your overall health.†
Seeking Health’s Supportive Supplements
Help your body stay healthy and work effectively. Our supplements use scientifically backed ingredients to help support healthy detox pathways, your MTHFR enzyme, and your cellular hydration levels:†
Optimal Electrolyte: Proper hydration is almost as important as breathing to stay healthy. But staying hydrated isn't just about drinking water—electrolytes are key for true hydration. Optimal Electrolyte helps support cellular hydration with powerful, research-backed ingredients.†
Glutathione Plus Lozenge: Glutathione has critical antioxidant-like properties for detox support. It’s great for those who are frequently exposed to harmful substances and want to help support their detox systems.†
Liver Nutrients is a complete liver support supplement. This powerful mix of nutrients and herbs helps support your liver as it breaks down everyday chemicals and hormones. It also supports normal glutathione production and liver cell regeneration.†
The Bottom Line
Tap water may contain harmful chemicals that can affect your MTHFR gene, making it harder for your body to detoxify.
Whether you have a genetic mutation or not, it’s important to take steps to help support your detox pathways so your body can protect itself from contaminants and stay healthy. By drinking filtered or spring water, eating hydrating foods, using electrolytes, and considering detox supplements, you can help support your health and keep your body in balance.†
References:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4088919/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3948022/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37121289/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8078867/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8703276/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7681022/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10791559/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29212064/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18670064/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5563313/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32921052/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10969708/
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially at higher doses.