Most physicians agree that the most important prescription for good health and nutrition is to properly hydrate the body with pure, clean water.  Water is the essence of life on Earth and sufficient hydration is essential for the proper functioning of all life as we know it.  Along with the thousands of doctors who use and recommend the Wellness Filter® in Japan, several hospitals  have outfitted their entire facilities with commercial sized Wellness Filters® (Appendix D – Installations).  The Wellness FilterÒ has been measured to change the physical characteristics of the water (e.g., surface tension, reduction-oxidation potential, and solubility).  The result is a fresh, enhanced water that is engineered to emulate the famous Hunza water in Pakistan.

After over seventeen years of use and testing in Japan, there is a substantial accumulation of reports, data, studies and experience regarding the benefits and observed effects of water treated by the Wellness Filter®.   The health benefits and observations referenced were obtained by drinking Wellness Filter® water and/or from external bathing/washing. The maximum benefits were obtained when patients followed a specific drinking protocol, which immediately follows this section.

Drinking Protocol – After several years of hydration studies, which included the optimum amount of water to ingest and the schedule for ingestion, a specific protocol was developed.  This protocol involved drinking approximately 12 ounces of freshly prepared water immediately upon rising and thirty (30) minutes before each meal (as opposed to drinking it with their meal).  Subjects were directed to drink 2 to 3 additional 12 ounce portions of water between breakfast and lunch and then again between lunch and dinner.  A final portion of treated water was ingested approximately 2 hours after the last meal of the day.  Water temperature (i.e., room  temperature  versus iced) was left to the individual taste of the subject.

Bathing/Washing Protocol – When studying the effects of the water on specific dermatological conditions such as eczema and acne, maximum effect was observed when the subject washed the affected area with a mild cleansing soap and treated water two times per day and just prior to bedtime. Severely affected areas were treated with a compress of warm treated water for approximately 15 minutes twice per day or by soaking in a bath for 15 minutes.

 Summary of Japanese Studies:

The Wellness Filter® and the beneficial effect it has on water have been studied by the Japanese Ministry of Health, several US and Japanese universities, and by independent physicians during the past several years.  Most studies have focused on either the observed effect of a specific hydration schedule (i.e.,drinking) or on the dermatological effects of bathing/washing with treated water. Although controlled clinical studies have been less frequent, there have been numerous case studies performed in the area of: cancer research, diabetes, gastroenterology, dermatology, nutrition and internal medicine.  In addition, the filter has been evaluated in weight loss and fitness training programs. A number of beneficial results have been observed, some of which were directly measurable such as the reduction of certain immune disorders while others were more subjective such as an increase in personal energy, endurance and a heightened sense of well being.  Results were the most reproducible when a specific ingestion or bathing protocol was followed.  

Observed effects resulting from drinking and/or bathing in Wellness Filter® water can be summarized into several categories:

¤     Digestion & assimilation of nutrients – Users of the treated water were observed to digest their food more quickly and thoroughly than subjects using untreated water. Treated water has been shown to assist the body in achieving a natural alkaline state. Nutritional supplements have been shown to be transported into the blood stream faster than with untreated water.  At the cellular level, osmotic pressure is reduced and the transport of biochemical reactants across cell membranes is increased.[1][1]  

¤     Waste elimination – virtually all subjects were observed to adjust to a more frequent waste elimination schedule and that bowel movements were easy without experiencing diarrhea.  Stool
specimens were observed to be significantly more digested than subjects consuming untreated water.

¤     Gastrointestinal disorders – Subjects ingesting the treated water were observed to reduce complaints of gastric reflux, heartburn and indigestion by more than 80%.  Subjects who suffered from peptic ulcers showed a 60% reduction in complaints of pain.  All subjects reported less intestinal cramping and gas.[2][2] [3][3]

¤     Dermatological conditions – Subjects who suffered from acute acne were observed to experience a greater than 90% reduction in episodes and severity when following the daily washing protocol for four weeks or longer. Subjects suffering from eczema and other chronic skin conditions showed a greater than 90% reduction after daily bathing and soaking in the treated water for three to four months. This is believed to be the synergistic result of the antibacterial qualities of Taicho (which reduces acne forming bacteria) and the antioxidant properties induced by the far-infrared ceramic. [4][4]

¤      Cancer treatment & prevention – Wellness FilterÒ treated water is part of a long-term 300-patient study in cancer treatment in Japan.  Final clincial studies are expected in the spring of 2002 but preliminary test results in comparative studies show 75% remission rate with patients following a restricted diet and drinking 14 glasses of treated water per day.  In cancer prevention studies, it was observed that reduced ions in the water reduced the presence of free radicals and the subsequent reduction in damage to DNA.[5][5] [6][6] [7][7]

¤      Diabetes treatment and prevention – The Japanese report that Wellness Filter® water helps normalize blood sugar levels for diabetics – both type I and type II. This normalization effect (i.e., reducing the highs and lows of blood sugar by approximately 50%) was observed after approximately 11 to 12 weeks of hydration. The Japanese report that Wellness FilterÒ water also reduces oxidative stress to the pancreas and liver.  Insulin dependent diabetics were seen to reduce their daily intake of insulin by 25% to 40% after approximately 12 weeks of daily usage.

¤      Migraine headaches – Patients were treated with a specific protocol for migraines.  Patients were given 12 ounces of treated water immediately upon the onset of a migraine.  The patients were asked to wait 20 minutes and consume a second 12-ounce portion of the water.  Twenty minutes later a third aliquot of water was administered.  Eighty percent (80%) of the patients experienced a significant reduction or the complete elimination of the headache by the time the third aliquot was consumed.

¤      Urinary tract infections – Physicians’ studies have shown that patients who are prone to recurring urinary tract infections experience a significant reduction (greater than 90%) in the incidence of urinary tract infection when the standard drinking protocol previously referenced is followed.

¤      Kidney stones – Patients with a history of kidney stones experienced a reduction in incidence by more than 70% when drinking the Wellness Filter® water.  In a small, statistically insignificant population, patients suffering from kidney stones were able in 100% of the test subjects to reduce the size of the stone and successfully pass it after following the drinking protocol.

¤      Kidney dialysis – In a sample population of ten kidney patients who were confined to regular dialysis treatment, four of the patients were able to eliminate dialysis after four months of following a strict drinking protocol of four liters of Wellness FilterÒ water per day.

¤       Weight loss and fitness training – Subjects who drank the prescribed amount of treated water and who participated in several different diet programs were observed to lose more weight (16% to 24%) and keep the weight off longer.  Fitness trainers using the water were observed to develop significantly more lean muscle mass (8% to 12%). [8][8]

¤      Dental hygiene – Clinical studies at USC Dental School and in Sweden have shown that daily brushing and rinsing with treated water produced a 46% reduction in plaque when compared to the same amount of brushing and rinsing with regular tap water regardless of the brand of tooth paste used. This study further showed a 42% reduction in the incidence of gingivitis - one of the principal causes of gum disease.[9][9] [10][10]

Summary of US Studies:

            Because of the recent arrival of the Wellness Filter to the US, most human studies are just getting organized.  However, there are two notable human studies, one animal study, and one major biology study to report.  These are summarized below:

¤    Hippocrates Health Institute – Hippocrates is a Florida based medical spa specializing in the treatment of cancer and heart disease by a specialty program of diet and nutrition.  Recently rated by Spa Magazine as the number one such institute in the world, the Institute conducted a seven month study of the effect of Wellness Filter® water on their patients (approximately 600 patients).  Patient blood samples were taken upon entering the Institute and upon leaving 21 days later.  Blood samples were given a comprehensive blood chemistry analysis by an outside laboratory and were examined at the Institute by dark field microscopy. The Institute reported a statically significant increase in hemoglobin and blood alkalinity in virtually all patients during the 21 day test period.  This increase was above and beyond the increase that has been historically reported with their program.  Dark field microscopy showed an increase in blood cell elasticity and mobility…indicators of improved immune function.  The Institute has since converted their entire facilities over to Wellness FilterÒ water.

¤     In-house diabetes studies – Wellness Enterprises is currently conducting its own long term study of diabetic reaction to Wellness Filter® water.  After three months and in a small sample population of type I diabetics, 100% of the subjects have observed a reduction in blood sugar swings and one subject has reported a 50% reduction in insulin requirement.  

Other Notable Benefits:

            The filter removes or reduces all harmful contaminants but unlike distillation systems and reverse osmosis systems, provides a stabilized water which will not leach calcium or other precious minerals from the body tissue and bones. In addition to removing suspended and dissolved contaminants, the Wellness Filter® has also been shown to alter the physical and chemical properties of water as it passes through the filter’s media. Specifically, treated water can be measured to have a lower surface tension, increased solubility, and lower viscosity. It also produces a negative ORP and produces a substantial anti-fungal effect.[11][11]  As a direct result of these changes, treated water can be observed to more readily wet surfaces, dissolve salts, transport a higher concentration of dissolved minerals, and penetrate membranes at a faster rate than untreated water. These features yield a benign “ purified and enhanced water” that produces other desirable physical results (documented in footnotes and Appendix D –Installations):

¤      Retardation of bacteria and fungus – treated water resists the growth of bacteria and fungus whether in standing containers such as toilets or ponds, on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables or in the filter housing itself.

¤      Enhanced cleaning – treated water can be observed to more effectively remove unwanted residues (i.e., chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, etc.) and dirt from surfaces such as fruits and vegetables, floors, dishes, laboratory glassware, cooking utensils, clothes and the like.  Glass and stainless steel surfaces that are washed in the water exhibit less spotting than untreated water does.

¤      Enhanced flavor of food & beverages – food and beverages prepared with treated water have no
intruding taste (i.e., from chlorine or sulfide in the raw water) and appear to have a richer taste due to the higher solubility of taste producing compounds per unit volume of the treated water. 

¤      Deodorizing and freshening – treated water can be observed to remove odors from surfaces and from the air by simply spraying a mist of water on the surface or by leaving open containers of the treated water in refrigerators -- much like the effect observed with baking soda.

¤      Conditioning – although the filter does not remove dissolved calcium and magnesium, treated water behaves as if it has been softened, i.e., it dissolves soap more readily and does not leave deposits on surfaces including the body.  

[12][[1]1]Research observations and discussions to be presented at the 13^th International Meeting of Japanese Association for Animal Cell Technology, Fukuoka, Japan, November 17-21, 2000, Sanetaka Shirahata

[13][2] Unpublished studies, Tobioka Internal Medicine Takashi Tobioka, MD, Okayama, Japan, 1997.

[14][3] Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, F. Batmanghelidj, MD, July 1995, Second Edition.

[15][4] “Two hundred patient dermatological studies using naturally ionized water”, Tadahiro Hotta, MD, Kyoto, Japan 1997.

[16][5] “Electrolyzed-Reduced Water Scavenges Active Oxygen Species and Protects DNA from Oxidative Damage”, Sanetaka Shirahata, et. al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, V234/1 pp 269-274 (1997), Academic Press.

[17][6] Unpublished research observations and discussions, Sanetaka Shirahata, 1999-2000.

[18][7] Water, The Chemistry of Life, Hidemitsu Hayashi, MD, Volume 6, Nos. 2-5, 1995.

[19][8] Unpublished fitness training studies, Gainesville, FL, 2000

[20][9] “The Effect of oral irrigation with a magnetic water treatment device on plaque and calculus”, J. Clinical Periodontal, 1993: 20: 314-317.

[21][10] Hibben, S.O. (1973) “Magnetic treatment of water”, National Technical Information Service, no. 1622-4. Krasse, B. (1977) “Adherence of bacteria to tooth surfaces”. Swedish Dental Journal I, 253-259.

[22][11] Laboratory studies on the effect of water treated by the Wellness Filter on specific biological species. Nelson Laboratories, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, Sept. 2000