Alkaline Ionised Water Booklet

8/6/2019 Alkaline Ionised Water Booklet

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/alkaline-ionised-water-booklet 1/25

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www.water-for-health.co.uk

An Overview of the History,

Science & Health Benefits of Alkaline Ionised Water

Compiled byWater for Health Ltd.



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Index

1. Introduction 42. Brief History of Alkaline Ionised Water 53. Science of Alkaline Ionised Water 6

3.1 Water, The chemistry of life. 63.2 Water, the universal solvent 63.3 Polarity of water molecules 63.4 Oxidation-reduction reactions 73.5 Acids and Bases 83.6 What is pH? 83.7 Importance of balancing pH 83.8 Oxygen: Too much of a good thing? 8

3.9 Antioxidants block dangerous oxidation 93.10 Water, the natural solution 9

4. How to make alkaline ionised water? 104.1 Electrolytic Process 104.2 Mineral Processes 11

5. The application of ionised water in the treatment of disease. 135.1 Cardiovascular Disease 145.2 Diabetes 155.3 Cancer 165.4 Gastro - Intestinal System 165.6 Kidney Problems 17 5.7 Osteoporosis 185.8 Obesity 185.9 Skin Complaints 19

6. Summary 20

APPENDIX 1 – Different types of Water Ioniser APPENDIX 2 – Frequently Asked Questions APPENDIX 3 – Recommended Reading

References



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Important Note

This booklet has been compiled to give interested parties information on alkaline ionized water. It isproduced purely for education purposes and no medical claims are stated or implied By Water for HealthLtd. We are keen that the many health benefits of good hydration and its contribution to proper body pHbalance are appreciated by as many people as possible. Please feel free to pass this booklet on to anyoneyou think might benefit, the only condition being that you pass it on unchanged in its entirety. Thecompilation copyright is retained by Water for Health Ltd.

Roddy MacDonaldManaging Director - Water for Health Ltdwww.water-for-health.co.uk



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1. IntroductionGood hydration is fundamental to health. Our bodies are composed of approx 70% water so it isessential to keep ourselves hydrated. The dilemma for many people is, “What is the best water todrink?” There are concerns about drinking tap water due to it potentially containing low levels of toxins such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, hormonal residues and pharmaceutical drugresidues. There is also the potential problem arising where source water could have low levels of humic acid compounds that are difficult to remove in water treatment and when chlorinated canproduce trichloromethanes (THM’s). These THM’s are regarded as being potentiallycarcinogenic.

Consequently many people have elected to drink bottled water or to install undersink filtrationequipment such as reverse osmosis systems or using water distillers. Although these optionsovercome many of the potential problems of drinking tap water they are not without theirdownsides. There is increasing concern about drinking bottled water, primarily due to theenvironmental impact of production and disposal of plastic bottles and transporting water longdistances. There is also the concern about possible leaching of the plastic into the water. ReverseOsmosis systems and water distillation system; although very effective at removing pollutantshave also got their downside. With the reverse osmosis system a significant amount of watergoes to drain, which is becoming increasingly expensive and is not particularly environmentallydesirable. However the main concern viewed by several health practitioners is that this sterilewater is not good to be ingested long term. It has been said that drinking this type of water canremove beneficial minerals from the body. Also when it is purified and allowed to stand it canabsorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is the reason why this water becomes acidic,which is not what our bodies need.

So the dilemma is how we can be assured that the water we drink is the best type of water todrink to properly hydrate our bodies and help to eliminate wastes and toxins. Good water shouldbe free of pollutants and contain beneficial minerals. However good water should also have theability to purify the blood, strengthen the immune system and help to counteract harmful freeradicals. Water has been proven to have many beneficial health promoting properties.

The information in this booklet gives anoverview of ionised water, its history of use,the science behind it, the type of health issuesthat people have found it to be beneficial forand a resume of some of the ways that thiswater can be produced. At one time ionised

water could only be produced by electrolysisbut now natural mineral blends are being usedto have a similar effect on water with theresultant effect of bringing alkaline ionisedwater with antioxidant properties within thereach of everyone.

If the science of ionised water is of no interest to you then proceed to sections 4 and 5 of thisbooklet to learn more about making alkalineionized water and some of the health benefits

that have been attributed to it.



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2. Brief History of Alkaline Ionised Water

Alkaline ionised water is made by electrically splitting filtered tap water into alkaline ionic waterand acid water. Water ionisers were first developed in Japan in the early 50's and experimentswere first conducted on plants and animals. Full scale development started in 1954 by several

Japanese agricultural universities on the effects of alkaline ionic water, especially acid water, onplants. Today, nursery farmers that supply cut flowers use acid water to keep flowers longerbefore delivery to the flower shops. Experiments on the human body were subsequently carriedout. Through lengthy experimentation by medical doctors in Japan, much valuable data wascollected and it was concluded that alkaline ionised water made with water ionisers was non-toxic and alleviated many symptoms of adult diseases.

The first commercial alkaline ionised water ionisers were available in Japan in l958. In l960, agroup of medical doctors and agricultural doctors in Japan formed a special medical andagricultural research institute, and they had annual meetings to report their findings. Finally, inJanuary 15th, 1966, this type of alkaline ionic water ioniser was approved as a health

improvement medical device by the Health and Rehabilitation Ministry of the JapaneseGovernment.

Japanese-made alkaline ionised water ionisers were first introduced to Korea in the 70's, and today they are also approved asmedical devices by the government of South Korea. Korean-madehousehold units were first introduced into the United States in l985and a toxicity test was conducted by an independent testinglaboratory in LA on April 14, 1986. The test found no toxicity in thealkaline ionised water generated by the water ioniser. This testingwas done according to FDA specified methods. As a result of this

research water ionisers have been increasingly accepted in both theFar East and in Western societies. Manufacturing of water ionisersis now principally carried out in Korea where there are currently 20manufacturers producing in excess of 1million water ionisers peryear.

In recent years there has been extensive research carried out, again primarily in Japan and Koreainto using the natural properties of certain minerals to give water similar properties aselectrolytic water ionisers do. This has resulted in a new range of products to give consumers thehealth benefits of alkaline ionised water without the need for electricity. Much of this work hasbeen popularised in the East through the research work of Professor Won H Kim, an ex Oxford

graduate, who is regarded in Korea as being the foremost authority on the therapeutic use of mineral alkaline ionised water.



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3. Science of Alkaline Ionised Water

3.1 Water, The chemistry of life.Life on earth is totally dependent on water. A high percentage of living things, both plant andanimal are found in water. The bodies of all living organisms are composed largely of water.

Between 70 and 90 percent of all organic matter is water.

The chemical reactions in all plants and animals that support life take place in awater medium. Water not only provides the medium to make these lifesustaining reactions possible, but water itself is often an important reactant orproduct of these reactions. In short, the chemistry of life is water chemistry.

3.2 Water, the universal solvent Water is a universal, superb solvent due to the marked polarity of the water molecule and itstendency to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules. One water molecule, expressed with thechemical symbol H 2O, consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.

Standing alone, the hydrogen atom contains one positive proton at its core withone negative electron revolving around it in a three-dimensional shell. Oxygen,on the other hand, contains 8 protons in its nucleus with 8 electrons revolvingaround it. This is often shown in chemical notation as the letter O surrounded byeight dots representing 4 sets of paired electrons.

The single hydrogen electron and the 8 electrons of oxygen are the key to the chemistry of lifebecause this is where hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine to form a water molecule, or split toform ions.

Hydrogen tends to ionise by losing its single electron and form single H+ ions, which are isolated

protons since the hydrogen atom contains no neutrons. A hydrogen bond occurs when theelectron of a single hydrogen atom is shared with another electronegative atom such as oxygenthat lacks an electron.

3.3 Polarity of water molecules In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms are covalently bonded to theoxygen atom. But because the oxygen atom is larger than the hydrogen's, itsattraction for the hydrogen's electrons is correspondingly greater so theelectrons are drawn closer into the shell of the larger oxygen atom and awayfrom the hydrogen shells. This means that although the water molecule as awhole is stable, the greater mass of the oxygen nucleus tends to draw in all

the electrons in the molecule including the shared hydrogen electrons givingthe oxygen portion of the molecule a slight electronegative charge.

The shells of the hydrogen atoms, because their electrons are closer to the oxygen, take on asmall electropositive charge. This means water molecules have a tendency to form weak bondswith water molecules because the oxygen end of the molecule is negative and the hydrogen endsare positive.

A hydrogen atom, while remaining covalently bonded to the oxygen of its own molecule, canform a weak bond with the oxygen of another molecule. Similarly, the oxygen end of a moleculecan form a weak attachment with the hydrogen ends of other molecules. Because watermolecules have this polarity, water is a continuous chemical entity.



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These weak bonds play a crucial role in stabilising the shape of many of the large moleculesfound in living matter. Because these bonds are weak, they are readily broken and re-formedduring normal physiological reactions. The disassembly and re-arrangement of such weak bondsis in essence the chemistry of life.

To illustrate water's ability to break down other substances, consider the simpleexample of putting a small amount of table salt in a glass of tap water. With drysalt (NaCl) the attraction between the electropositive sodium (Na+) andelectronegative chlorine (Cl-) atoms of salt is very strong until it is placed inwater. After salt is placed in water, the attraction of the electronegative oxygenof the water molecule for the positively charged sodium ions, and the similarattraction of the electropositive hydrogen ends of the water molecule for the

negatively charged chloride ions, is greater than the mutual attraction between the outnumberedNa+ and Cl- ions. In water the ionic bonds of the sodium chloride molecule are broken easilybecause of the competitive action of the numerous water molecules.

As we can see from this simple example, even the delicate configuration of individual watermolecules enables them to break relatively stronger bonds by converging on them. This is whywe call water the universal solvent. It is a natural solution that breaks the bonds of larger, morecomplex molecules. This is the chemistry of life on earth, in water and on land.

3.4 Oxidation-reduction reactions Basically, reduction means the addition of an electron (e-), and its converse, oxidation means theremoval of an electron. The addition of an electron by reduction stores energy in the reducedcompound. The removal of an electron, oxidation, liberates energy from the oxidised compound.Whenever one substance is reduced, another is oxidised.

To clarify these terms, consider any two molecules, A and B, for example.When molecules A and B come into contact, here is what happens:

B grabs an electron from molecule A.

Molecule A has been oxidised because it has lost an electron.

The net charge of B has been reduced because it has gained a negative electron (e-).



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In biological systems, removal or addition of an electron constitutes the most frequent mechanism of oxidation-reduction reactions. These oxidation-reduction reactions are frequentlycalled redox reactions.

3.5 Acids and Bases

An acid is a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in water. A base(alkali) is a substance that decreases the concentration of hydrogen ions, in other words,increasing the concentration of hydroxide ions OH-.

The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution is measured in terms of a value known as pH,which is the negative logarithm of the concentration of hydrogen ions:

pH = 1/log [H+] = -log [H+]

3.6 What is pH? On the pH scale, which ranges from 0 on the acidic end to 14 on the alkaline end, a solution isneutral if its pH is 7. At pH 7, water contains equal concentrations of H+ and OH- ions.Substances with a pH less than 7 are acidic because they contain a higher concentration of H+ions. Substances which have pH greater than 7 are alkaline because they contain a higherconcentration of OH- than H+. The pH scale is a log scale so a change of one pH unit means atenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions.

3.7 Importance of balancing pH Living things are extremely sensitive to pH and function best (with certain exceptions, such ascertain portions of the digestive tract) when solutions are nearly neutral. Most interior livingmatter (excluding the cell nucleus) has a pH of about 6.8.

Blood plasma and other fluids that surround the cells in the body have a pH of around 7.3.Numerous special mechanisms aid in stabilising these fluids so that cells will not be subject toappreciable fluctuations in pH. Substances which serve as mechanisms to stabilise pH are calledbuffers. Buffers have the capacity to bond ions and remove them from solution whenever theirconcentration begins to rise. Conversely, buffers can release ions whenever their concentrationbegins to fall. Buffers thus help to minimise the fluctuations in pH. This is an important functionbecause many biochemical reactions normally occurring in living organisms either release or useup ions.

3.8 Oxygen: Too much of a good thing? Oxygen is essential to survival. It is relatively stable in the air, but whentoo much is absorbed into the body it can become active and unstable andhas a tendency to attach itself to any biological molecule, includingmolecules of healthy cells. The chemical activity of these free radicals isdue to one or more pairs of unpaired electrons.

It is estimated that 2% of the oxygen we normally breathe becomes active oxygen, and thisamount increases to approximately 20% with aerobic exercise. Such free radicals with unpaired



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electrons are unstable and have a high oxidation potential, which means they are capable of stealing electrons from other cells. This chemical mechanism is very useful in disinfectants suchas hydrogen peroxide and ozone which can be used to sterilize wounds or medical instruments.Inside the body these free radicals are of great benefit due to their ability to attack and eliminatebacteria, viruses and other waste products.

Problems arise, however, when too many of these active oxygen molecules, or free radicals, areproduced in the body. They are extremely reactive and can also attach themselves to normal,healthy cells and damage them genetically. These active oxygen radicals steal electrons fromnormal, healthy biological molecules. This electron theft by active oxygen oxidizes tissue and isbelieved to be a major cause of degenerative disease.

Because active oxygen can damage normal tissue, it is essential to scavenge this active oxygenfrom the body before it can cause disintegration of healthy tissue. If we can find an effectivemethod to block the oxidation of healthy tissue by active oxygen, then we can attempt to prevent disease.

3.9 Antioxidants block dangerous oxidation One way to protect healthy tissue from the ravages of oxidation caused by active oxygen is toprovide free electrons to active oxygen radicals, thus neutralising their high oxidation potentialand preventing them from reacting with healthy tissue.

Research on the link between diet and cancer is far from complete, but there is evidence that what we eat may affect our susceptibility to cancer. Some foods seem to help defend against cancer, others appear to promote it.

Much of the damage caused by carcinogenic substances in food may come about because of anoxidation reaction in the cell. In this process, an odd ball oxygen molecule may damage thegenetic code of the cell. This leads naturally to the theory that the intake of natural antioxidantscould be an important aspect of the body's defence against cancer. Substances that are believedto inhibit cancer include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and glutathione (an aminoacid). These substances are reducing agents. They supply electrons to free radicals and block theinteraction of the free radical with normal tissue.

3.10 Water, the natural solution There is no substitute for a healthy balanced diet, especially rich in antioxidant materials such asvitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and other foods that are good for us. However, thesesubstances are not the best source of free electrons that can block the oxidation of healthy tissueby active oxygen.

Alkaline ionised water is a better solution to the problem of providing a safe source of freeelectrons to block the oxidation of normal tissue by free oxygen radicals. This reduced water,water with an excess of free electrons to donate to active oxygen, has a better reductioncapability over most other antioxidants in food or vitamin supplements. Also the molecularweight of reduced water is low, making it fast acting and able to reach all tissues of the body in avery short time.



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4. How to make Alkaline Ionised Water?

4.1 Electrolytic ProcessNormal tap water, for example, with a pH of 7 is approximatelyneutral on the pH scale of 0 to 14. When measured with an

ORP (oxidation potential) meter, its redox potential isapproximately +200 to +300 mV. Typical bottled waters haveORP values in the range of +100 to +200mV. Because theyhave a positive redox potential they can acquire electrons andoxidize other molecules. Reduced Ionised Water, on the otherhand, has a negative redox potential of approximately -100 to -250 mV. This means it has a large mass of electrons ready todonate to electron-thieving active oxygen.

A typical Ionised Water unit is slightly taller and thicker than a large dictionary on end. It is anelectrical appliance connected to your kitchen water supply to perform electrolysis on tap water

before you drink it or use it in the kitchen for cooking or cleaning.

The water inlet to the ioniser is either through a special attachment that connects to the tap anddiverts water through the ioniser or alternatively many of the models can be connected directlyto the mains water inlet leading to the sink tap. Inside the Ionised Water unit, the water is first filtered through activated charcoal. Next, the filtered water passes into an electrolysis chamberequipped with platinum-coated titanium electrodes where electrolysis takes place.

Cations, positive ions, gather at the negative electrodes to create cathodic water (reduced water).Anions, negatively charged ions, gather at the positive electrode to make anodic water (oxidizedwater).

Through electrolysis, reduced water not only gains an excess amount of electrons (e-), but thecluster of H 2O is reduced in size from about 10 to 13 molecules per cluster to 5 to 6 molecules percluster.

The reduced water comes out of the ioniser tap, and the oxidized water comes out of a separatehose leading into the sink. You can use the reduced water for drinking or cooking. The oxidation



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potential of the oxidized water makes it a good sterilising agent, ideal for washing hands,cleaning food or kitchen utensils, and treating minor wounds.

After electrolysis of the water inside the Ionised Water unit, reduced water comes out of thecathodic side and oxidized water comes out of the anodic side. Compare these measurements of

four types of water: tap water before electrolysis, bottled water, reduced water and oxidizedwater.

Reduction – Oxidation (Redox) Potential

Water Type Redox Potential pH What it Means

Tap Water +200 to +300mV 7 Slight Oxidation potential

Bottled Water +100 to +200mV 7 Slight oxidation potential

Reduced Water -100 to -300mV 9 Strong reduction potential contains a

mass of electrons that can be donatedto free radicals.

Oxidised Water +400 to +600mV 4 Strong oxidation potential, a shortageof electrons giving it the ability tooxidize and sterilise

Traditionally most people judge the properties of water from the standpoint of pH, in otherwords water is acidic or alkaline. However oxidation reduction potential is probably moreimportant than pH due to the ability of reduced water to help to neutralise harmful free radicals.

The pH of tap water is about pH 7, or neutral. When tap water is electrolyzed into Ionised Water,its reduced water has a pH of about 9 and the oxidized water a pH of about 4. Even if you makealkaline water of pH 9 by adding sodium hydroxide or make acidic water of pH 3 by addinghydrogen chloride, you will find very little change in the ORP values of the two waters. On theother hand, when you divide tap water with electrolysis you can see the ORP fluctuate by asmuch as +/- 500 mV. By electrolysis you can obtain reduced water with negative potential that isgood for the body.

4.2 Mineral ProcessesUp till recently most of the systems on the market used to produce alkaline ionised water wereelectrolytic systems. In recent years there has been an increasing number of mineral based

water ionising systems available. They have the advantage of being less expensive, portable andgive the water good energy.

These mineral based systems use natural minerals which when in contact with water make it alkaline and also produce hydrogen. They include minerals with more ionising effect thanhydrogen such as magnesium (Mg) calcium (Ca) and lithium (Li). Calcium and Lithium are verygood at making water with a good structure but unfortunately react too violently with water. Onthe other hand Magnesium releases electrons as it dissolves in water as shown:

Mg + 2 H 20 -> Mg 2+ + 2OH - + H 2 (H- + H- ->H 2)

The water turns alkaline by forming OH-, and hydrogen (with active hydrogen being formed at

the same time) lowering the water’s ORP to give it a power to eliminate active oxygen.



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Magnesium unfortunately has several shortcomings. It is relatively poor at making waterstructure condensed compared to that of calcium and its effect on water makes it bitter unlikecalcium. Its efficiency to react with water for producing alkaline ionised water and hydrogengradually reduces. In order to make up for these weak points, magnesium’s physical propertieshave been improved by making special alloys which sustain for a long time its ability to diffuse inwater and produce hydrogen with alkaline water.

Other ways can be combined as well: ceramics based on calcium, special minerals which stabiliseactive hydrogen, natural rocks which make water structure compact as well as increasing water’ssolvency, and minerals which can bring about catalytic action. Doing this makes water abundant with hexagonal water (smaller clusters of molecules), supplements the taste, maintains theeliminating power against reactive oxygen species for a long time, and puts in good energy.

Mineral alkaline reduced water has the weakness of needing an occasional acid-cleansingbecause its hydrogen-producing power decreases after a while, but its simplicity and portabilitymakes it an alternative to systems producing electrolyzed water. It also has the advantage of

containing very good energy in comparison to electrolyzed alkaline water. Many of the mineralbased systems combine various minerals including natural minerals such as tourmaline and jadewhich are reputed to give far infrared energy which has known therapeutic benefits.

Interestingly Professor Won H Kim has stated that naturalmineral alkaline ionised water showed anti-cancer effects aswell as suppressive power against metastasis during animalexperiments using mice. Furthermore, it revealed an abilityto eliminate active oxygen within cells along with increasingimmune functions. More importantly, levels of blood sugar,triglycerides, and cholesterol were lowered in mice with

diabetes and obesity; possibilities were seen for treatments of these diseases or ensuing complications.

Mineral based systems are now used in a wide number of applications. Because of no requirement to use electricitythey are used in portable personal ionisers, so that people canenjoy the benefits of ionised water wherever they are. Theyare also used in undersink filters, in jug filter cartridges and incartridges which can be used after filtration systems andparticularly reverse osmosis systems where they can help toovercome the principal limitation of reverse osmosis water, in

that they put back into the water beneficial minerals.



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5. The application of ionised water in the treatment of disease.Leading scientists and health practitioners have stated that the majority of the westernpopulation are suffering the effects of acidosis in body tissues which is believed by many to bethe prime cause of degenerative disease. Modern lifestyles, diets, stress and environmentalpollution all contribute to an excess acid load.

Dr Theodore Baroody in his book ‘Alkalize or Die’ states ‘the countless names attributed to illnessdo not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause…too muchtissue acid waste in the body.’

Excess tissue acid waste manifests itself in fatigue, inflammation, reduced immunity andpremature aging. In the informative book ‘The Acid Alkaline Food Guide’ by Dr Susan E Brownand Larry Triveri Jnr they list the following conditions amongst several others which areattributed to chronic low grade metabolic acidosis in the body.

• Loss of calcium in the urine, the dissolution of bone and the development of osteoporosis.•

The loss of potassium and magnesium stores from the body, with a resulting tendencytowards hypertension and inflammation, as well as the pain associated with inflammation.• Suppression of growth hormone, insulin like growth factor, and other pituitary hormones

causing suboptimal tissue renewal and hormone dysfunction.• Accelerated aging from accumulated acid waste products.• Increased production of free radicals- unstable molecules that cause cellular damage-

resulting in the worsening of pain and inflammation, and the lowering of immunecapacity.

• Increased risk of kidney stone formation• Decreased efficiency of cellular ATP energy production, causing impaired cellular function

and, eventually, impaired organ function.• Encouragement of the growth and spread of naturally occurring yeast and fungi, which

thrive in an acid terrain.• Creation of a mild form of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) and a chronic

overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in various negative effects on thebody.

• Sub optimal liver detoxification, potentially causing a build up of toxic residues in thebody.

The list of specific diseases that have been connected with excess tissue acid waste and thedamage done by harmful free radicals is extensive and includes the following:

•

Cardiovascular disease including the build up of cholesterol deposits• High Blood Pressure• Diabetes• Cancers• Hypothyroidism• Osteoporosis• Arthritis• Kidney Problems• Gastro Intestinal Inflammation• Skin problems including eczema• Gout • Candida infections



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Drinking alkaline ionised water is beneficial for any health complaint where there is excess tissueacidity and damage being caused by free radicals. It helps to neutralise the harmful acidic wastesand flush them out of the body. It also neutralises unstable free radical molecules by supplyingelectrons. It also supplies additional oxygen to the cells where oxygen levels are low due to theexcess acidity. There are a number of specific diseases where researchers and healthpractitioners have proven that drinking alkaline ionised water is beneficial. Some of theseinclude:

5.1 Cardiovascular DiseaseOur bodies are naturally wonderfully engineered; when our bloodpressure is elevated or if we have high levels of cholesterol depositedin our vascular system it is our body’s natural compensatingmechanism for a deficiency. Increasingly many natural practitionersare pointing at acidosis as being the root problem. Our blood has abuffer of sodium bicarbonate to neutralise acid wastes from our cellsas waste products of our metabolism. When this alkaline buffer levelis depleted then we suffer from the problems of acidosis.

According to Sang Whang in his book Reverse Aging ‘Dr KanchoKunimaka, one of the pioneers of alkaline water treatment in Japan,states that virtually without exception, patients with high bloodpressure have an acidosis condition. He has many successful clinicaltrials where acid free high pH alkaline water lowered blood pressure.

There are several plausible explanations for this phenomenon. Since the higher pH bloodcontains excess oxygen, the heart doesn’t have to work so hard. Another factor may be that theviscosity of the higher pH blood is low so that the heart does not need to pump as hard. A further

reason may be that the calcium ions in alkaline water may be dissolving plaque and cholesterolbuild up in the artery walls, thus opening up the passage’

He further states ‘If your blood pressure is always high, chances are that your arteries are gettingnarrow and it will take a long time, possibly a year or more, for that blood pressure to comedown by means of alkaline water. It takes time to dissolve plaque and cholesterol build up but eventually it will work. This slow process has no side effects. It lowers blood pressure byeliminating the very causes of the high blood pressure.’

Acid waste in the blood is believed to make scratches in the inside of the blood vessels. Thebody’s defence mechanism is to patch these injuries to the blood vessel walls with fatty plaquesto prevent life threatening leaks. Hence it is extremely important to reduce this acidic conditionby neutralising excess acid wastes.

Professor Won H Kim in his book Water of Life; a cure for your body says ‘Irregular bloodcirculation can be called the beginning of all adult-onset ailments. The major cause for this comesfrom acidic waste materials which get piled up on vascular walls or clog capillary vessels. Crucialorgans need a smooth supply of blood, but piled up waste on walls makes vessels get narrower.This coupled with clogged capillaries, results in raised blood pressure to supply blood. This is thegeneral principle behind occurrence of hypertension. Alkaline reduced water resolveshypertension originating from residues of waste on vascular walls.

Alkaline reduced water does more than just decrease the acidic wastes by alkalising the blood: it

is effective for hypertension because its superior power to conduct surface activity can dissolvewaste matter stuck to vascular walls’



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The conventional medical approach of using medication to control blood pressure and lowercholesterol levels does not address the underlying problem. Unfortunately these medicationsalso tend to increase the acidic load on the blood.

5.2 Diabetes

Dr Robert Young in his book pH Miracle for Diabetes says‘looking through the lens of New Biology, it becomes clear that diabetes is not a disease of the pancreas or the beta cellstherein. Rather, it is the result of a pH imbalance in the fluidsof the body- systemic acidosis- that interferes with theoptimum functioning of the cells they surround. Beta cellssurrounded by acids do not or cannot produce sufficient insulin. Acids destroy insulin receptor sites on the cellularmembrane so body cells cannot properly use the hormone.Diabetic symptoms – which can include frequent urination, extreme thirst, ravenous hunger,weight loss, extreme fatigue, muscle wasting and life threatening ketoacidosis- are all a result of the body attempting to regain or maintain the delicate pH balance of the blood tissues.

Other scientists have come to a similar conclusion that the underlying cause for adult onset diabetes is due to an underlying acidosis condition. Sang Whang says in his reverse Aging book ‘A shortage of calcium ions in the body impairs the production and the release of the insulinhormone. This eventually leads to an acidic blood condition. Clogged blood vessels caused byexcess protein build up also impair pancreatic function. Alkaline water by supplying calcium inan ionised form and by helping prevent excess protein build up can help prevent and heal thiscondition.’

Professor Won H Kim relates an interesting experiment that was carried out by Korean TV who

undertook an investigation into the merits or otherwise of alkaline ionised water. One of theareas of investigation was to look at its use for the treatment of diabetes. He says ‘I did a clinicalexperiment with diabetes patients at a hospital in Southern Choongchung province. This studywas done by dividing up patients in critical condition (to the point they had to receive insulininjections) up into two groups. The first group continued receiving insulin shots as usual, and theother group was told to stop the treatment and only drink alkaline reduced water. Because wehad a tight shooting schedule, the second group was actually hospitalised to immediately observethe effects of drinking 5 litres of water every day.

Before even one month passed, the water-drinking group’s blood sugar level amazinglydecreased in contrast to that of the insulin-injection group. The patients who were half

heartedly participating at first elatedly drank the water more faithfully, after personallyexperiencing improved complexion and health.

Daily changes in blood sugar level were inconsistent in the case of the patient group gettinginsulin shots, but the alkaline reduced water-drinking patients had stability. This extraordinaryresult signifies alkaline reduced water does not only show short-term effectiveness like insulin,but also can ultimately cure diabetes.’

Although it is probably premature to say that drinking alkaline reduced water is a cure for adult onset diabetes there is a growing body of opinion that believes that addressing the underlyingacidosis problem by diet, controlling stress etc you will make a huge impact on the problem.Drinking alkaline ionised water with its ability to neutralise acidity and counteract harmful freeradicals is a very important part of this protocol.



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5.3 CancerWhen the blood becomes acidified it becomes thicker and isable to transport less oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Whenthe cell becomes deprived of oxygen it either dies or adapts tothis oxygen deprived environment by becoming malignant.Cancer cells can live in this oxygen deprived environment because they obtain their energy from fermentation, a processthat is carried on without oxygen. It continually grabsavailable nutrients, depriving healthy cells of availablenutrients leading to their death.

The extracellular fluids of cancer cells tend towards acidity.The focus of many doctors has been to create conditions that will not favour the proliferation of cancer cells: conditionsthat will allow more oxygen to get to the cells. ProfessorFelicia Kliment in her book ‘The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet’says ‘Clearly, the prevention of cancer should begin withremoving from the body acidic wastes that turn normal cellsinto cancerous ones. If an individual is being treated forcancer, the removal of acidic wastes generated by toxicchemotherapy could prevent a recurrence.’

In his book Hidden Truth of Cancer Keiichi Morishita says ‘if the blood develops a more acidiccondition, then our body inevitably deposits these excess acidic substances in some areas of thebody such that the blood will maintain an alkaline condition. As this tendency continues, suchareas increase in acidity and some cells will die. Then these cells themselves turn into acids.However, some other cells may adapt to this environment. In other words, instead of dying- asnormal cells do in an acidic environment- some cells survive by becoming abnormal cells.Malignant cells do not correspond with brain function or with our own DNA memory code.Therefore, malignant cells grow indefinitely and without order. This is cancer.’

In Japan and Korea they have found very encouraging results by treating cancer patients withalkaline ionised water. They have shown that it results in the reduction of cancer cellproliferation. There have been various theories why this is the case. It is said that cancer cellscannot proliferate in hexagonally structured water. It is also said that that it could be having aninhibitory effect on the effect of telomerase an enzyme that can restore telomere, DNA at the endof cancer cells chromosomes. Similarly the effect of cancer suppression could be due to theneutralisation of damaging free radicals and alkaline waters contribution towards changing the

pH in the cell environment.Sang Whang points out ‘When you drink alkaline water you are drinking water with excessoxygen, not in the form of O 2 but in the form of OH- which is very stable because it is mated withpositively ionised alkaline minerals. Two of these hydroxyl ions can form a water molecule H 2Oand give out one oxygen atom. The alkaline mineral is used to detoxify poisonous acidcompounds and when that happens the hydroxyl ion is freed to supply excess oxygen to the cellsto prevent the development of cancer.’

5.4 Gastro - Intestinal systemThe effects of excess acidity can be evident from one end of our gastro intestinal system to theother. It can manifest as acid reflux at the very beginning of our digestive tract through toconstipation or colitis at the other extremity. In between problems such as ulcers, gallstones andinflammatory intestinal problems are all linked directly or indirectly with increased tissue



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acidity. The digestive tract is critically important to all our bodily functions so it is vitallyimportant to our health and longevity to keep it working optimally and that means correctingacid alkali imbalances. If the digestive tract presents an over acidic environment it will providean ideal host to opportunist harmful bacteria and fungi which are believed to be the root cause of many health problems. This is primarily due to their ingestion of your nutrients and leaving theirtoxic acidic wastes in your body. Consequently an improvement in the correct pH balance of thedigestive tract will not just alleviate gastro intestinal problems but will have impacts, oftensignificant, in other areas.

Professor Won H Kim points to the fact that the oxidationreduction potential of the digestive tract reduces along thelength of it from +150mV in the stomach to -250mV in thecolon. If this becomes disrupted it will result in imbalance of the microflora and one of the prime indicators will bestenchy stools. He concluded that drinking alkaline reducedwater helps to maintain the ORP balance in the gastrointestinal tract. He further points out that one of the first effects of drinking alkaline ionised water, and particularlywater that was ionised by minerals resulted in the reductionof constipation, which of course has a beneficial effect inremoving toxic acidic wastes more quickly from the body.

Sang Whang points out when referring to hyperacidity,indigestion, gas and nausea that these symptoms are causedby too much acid. He says ‘Suppression of acid by means of alkaline water will help to alleviate and prevent these acid-related intestinal and stomach disorders including ulcers.’

5.6 Kidney ProblemsAs the level of acidity rise in the body, this puts particular stress on the kidneys increasing thepotential for kidney disease. Consequently drinking alkaline water helps to neutralise this acidityand reduce the strain on the kidneys.

Sang Whang in his book Reverse Aging points out his understanding of the cause of kidney stoneformation and the role alkaline ionised water can play. He says ‘Kidney stones are formed in thekidneys, originally starting as tiny specks of solid substance. As more material clings to the first speck, it gradually builds into a solid object. The substances are made out of phosphates, uratesetc. They are salts of phosphoric acid and uric acid generally combined with calcium and/or

magnesium. They are formed in the kidneys because the environment is too acidic. These saltsare acidic salts.

Although calcium and magnesium are in the salts, they are there to soften the poisonous effects of uric acid and phosphoric acid. Some people mistakenly believe that kidney stones are formedbecause there is too much calcium. That is not true. The best proof is that the calcium compoundwill dissolve in acidic urine while the kidney stones will not.

If you add calcium into the bladder and lower the acidity of the urine, kidney stones will dissolve.Drinking alkaline water will prevent the kidney stones from forming to begin with, and even afterformation, it can dissolve them. Because urine is acidic and so are most of the other wasteproducts, any extra calcium that your body doesn’t need will be dissolved and discarded by theurine. In the process, it will help dissolve kidney stones, if any. There is no need to worry about too much calcium consumption’.



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5.7 OsteoporosisOur skeletal system is a bank of alkalising minerals, particularly calcium. If the blood is acidified calcium is taken from the bones to maintain blood pH.There is now increasing evidence that there is a direct connection betweenlow grade acidosis and osteoporosis. Dr Susan Brown, an osteoporosisexpert and co author of the book The Acid Alkaline Guide says ‘Around theworld, the incidence of osteoporotic fractures varies by at least thirty fold,with low trauma fractures- the hallmark of osteoporosis –being rare incultures that follow diets and lifestyle patterns conducive to proper acid-alkaline balance. A variety of population-based studies now document theassociation between a high intake of base- forming food stuffs and bonehealth. The beneficial effect of fruit and vegetables is evident not only inpremenopausal, perimenopausal, postmenopausal and elderly women-those at the greatest risk of osteoporosis- but also in growing girls and men.Furthermore, a large cross-cultural survey indicated that those countrieswith the lowest incidence of hip fracture also have the lowest consumptionof acid-producing animal protein, and, usually a consumption of vegetableprotein that exceeds their intake of animal products. Of course, the dietsenjoyed by these cultures are very different from the typical Western diet,which is high in acid-forming animal proteins, and low in base-forming pHbalancing foods.’

Prolonged drinking of alkaline water can help to reduce acidity and maintain blood pH without the need for the body to deplete bones of calcium.

5.8 ObesityThere are two specific characteristics that appear to be common to most people suffering fromobesity. Firstly their body hydration levels are much lower than they should be and secondlythey are suffering the effects of excess acidity. Dr Robert Young, biochemist and author of the pHMiracle range of books has said ‘ you are not overweight; you are overacid’

When someone is ingesting a very high residual acid loaddiet the body stores these excess metabolic acids in fatsaway from our vital organs as a life preserving mechanism.Otherwise these acids would damage our organs and put ahuge stress on the kidneys. Consequently drinking alkalinewater has got several positive effects on the bodies of obesepeople. Firstly its superior hydrating powers help to hydrate

the body and bring hydration levels into proper balance.Secondly it helps to neutralise stored acids and gently flushthem out of the body without causing damage to the kidneys.As a consequence of body pH coming more in balance thebody will gradually shed the excess fat. This approach toweight loss, combined of course with a suitable alkalisingdiet and exercise programme will work naturally to reduceweight with all the consequent benefits of increased energyand better functioning of bodily systems.

5.9 Skin Complaints

In the Far East alkaline electrolysed water has been used fairly extensively in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Sufferers drinking alkaline water and applying the acid water from the water



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ioniser externally have experienced very good results. Professor Won H Kim states ‘Uponanalysis of blood in patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, there was a higher level of unsaturated fatty acid than in people with healthy skin. Unsaturated fatty acid gets transformedinto lipid peroxide by active oxygen, and this resulting substance in turn gets multiplied withinthe body. What follows is a variety of impediments such as atopic dermatitis.

In cases of people whose constitution has much unsaturated fatty acid in their blood, even morelipid peroxides are formed when active oxygen increases. This leads to the conclusion if we canreduce the amount of active oxygen being produced by the human body, symptoms of atopicdermatitis will be alleviated.

If alkaline reduced water (containing an ability to eliminate active oxygen) is continually used,any excessive active oxygen can be removed. It will show treatment effects for various diseasescaused by active oxygen, in addition to atopic dermatitis.’

In addition to the specific health complaints listed above drinking alkaline water is useful to

alleviate many other problems including arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, asthma,allergies and of course to generally boost the body’s immunity. It is a natural approach to betterhealth that can provide huge dividends.



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6. Summary Although drinking alkaline ionised water is not thepanacea to every health complaint its extended use wouldmake a significant difference to reduce the incidence of our current epidemics of diseases; cancer, cardiovascularproblems, diabetes and osteo-problems. It would alsoimmensely improve the quality of life for many peoplewho suffer pain and inflammation. The heightenedimmunity that drinking alkaline ionised water can bringwill help the body better deal with disease. It will help topromote higher levels of energy as the body’s systemscome better into balance.

Not so many years ago the only choice people had to be able to have alkaline ionised water wasinvesting in an electrolytic system. These were deemed to be expensive by many people.However new advances in this field, using mineral based systems has brought alkaline ionisedwater within everyone’s budget. Also some new systems are much more portable allowingpeople to drink this health promoting water wherever they are. In the appendix you will find aselection of the different types of devices that you can now buy in Europe to give you the benefitsof alkaline ionised water.

We trust you have found this information useful to give you more of an insight into what something as simple as drinking water can do for your health. Please do pass the information toanyone you feel might find it helpful. There are an increasing number of books written on thesubject of acid alkaline balance and we have included a selection in the appendix. If this brief booklet has stimulated your interest you might like to look further into these.

Probably Dr Robert Young has popularised the whole theory of the need for alkalising more thanany other researcher through his various books and newsletters. The following is a comment of his which is probable a fitting conclusion to this booklet.

‘If someone asked me what was the one thing I could do to enjoy better health, then theanswer is simple Drink Alkaline Ionised Water.’



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Appendix 1

Different types of Water Ionisers

Electrolytic Water Ionisers

An electrolytic water ioniser is connected to your electricity supplyand either connected to your tap by means of a diverter fitting orconnected to the mains supply coming to your kitchen cold watertap. The water passing into the ioniser is first filtered to removeimpurities and then passes into the ionising chamber. In theionising chamber the water is split into alkaline and acidic waterstreams. Under normal operation the acidic water flows to drain,but is very good to use as a disinfectant or for external body use.The alkaline water is used for drinking and cooking. A typicalioniser will give a flow of approx 1.5 litres per minute of alkaline

ionised water.

Under-sink Ionising Water FiltersThese filters are similar to normal filters systems except they have specialionising minerals included in one or more of the cartridges. Typicallythese are 4 stage filtration systems, with the first filter removingsediment, the second filter using carbon to remove chlorine and dissolvedorganic compounds, the third filter using special natural minerals toalkalise the water, giving it antioxidant properties and reducing thecluster size and the final filter to improve water taste.

Inline FiltersThe convenient way for people who have got an existing built in filtration system,whether that is a carbon filtration system or a reverse osmosis system to thentransform this water into mineralised alkaline ionised water is to add an alkalisingcartridge. These types of cartridge typically treat between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of water before needing exchanged. An ideal way for those with existing filters to havethe further benefit of alkaline ionised water.

Portable Water IonisersThere are a few devices available that allow you to drink alkaline ionised water whereveryou go. So you can take them to work, take them while exercising or take them onholiday with you. You never need to be without the water that is beneficial for yourhealth. The minerals in these portable water ionisers need to be cleaned on a weeklybasis with special cleaner to keep the minerals active. The Alkalark pictured opposite isan example of a portable water ioniser.



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Jug Filters

Jug filters commonly in use typically use activated carbon to remove chlorine and

dissolved organics such as pesticide residues together with ion exchange resins toremove hardness. However these filters do leave the filtered water fairly acidic.The pH range after filtration is typically in the order of 5 to 5.5. Now it is possible toget jug filter cartridges which remove chlorine and dissolved organics and alsochange the water into ionised alkaline water typically raising the pH to between 8.5and 9.5. These filter jugs are a very effective and cost effective way to get all thebenefits of alkaline antioxidant water. Filter cartridges typically last 2 to 3 monthsbecause the minerals have antibacterial properties. Please note these filters do not remove lime scale.



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Appendix 2

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water should I drink every day?As a general guideline the average person should drink 2 litres per day of water. Dr Batmanghelidj in hisbook Water & Salt suggested that it is advisable to drink 35ml of water for every kg of body weight tocompensate for loss through urination, respiration and perspiration. (e.g. if you are 90 kilos (200lbs) youshould drink 3 litres. It is important that if you are drinking larger amounts of water that you take advicefrom your health practitioner to ensure you have proper electrolyte balance.

Should I introduce alkaline ionized water gradually into my daily regime?Some people may experience slight detoxifying symptoms, such as nausea or slight headaches when theyfirst begin drinking ionized water. It is best to start slowly and gradually increase the amount of ionized

water you drink on a daily basis.

Are there any cautions about drinking alkaline ionized water?The majority of people when they begin drinking alkaline ionized water feel increased levels of energyand mental clarity. However since ionized water is absorbed quicker into the body tissues it is important that when you take medication you take it with ordinary filtered water and not with alkaline ionizedwater which could speed up absorption.

What type of water can I use to produce alkaline ionized water?You may connect built in ionizers, both electrolytic and mineral built in systems to your cold water feedpipe to your sink tap. This will filter and ionize the water. With portable ionisers you can use either mains

supply water or bottled water. Some of the portable ionizers filter the water some don’t so if they do not filter the water it is best to use filtered or bottled water.

Can I store water after it has been ionized?Ideally you should drink ionised water within 12 hours. The pH of the ionized water will gradually reducewith storage and the oxidation/reduction potential will increase. Ionized water should be stored in asealed vessel in the refrigerator.

Can I cook with ionized water?Yes, you can cook with ionized water: some people say that the taste of food is improved with cooking inalkaline ionized water.

Is it OK to give children alkaline ionized water?Yes it is excellent water for children to drink. Professor Won H Kim in his book states that drinkingalkaline ionized water is very beneficial for expectant mothers providing much needed alkaline minerals.

Is it OK to give alkaline ionized water to livestock and pets?Yes, alkaline ionized water is ideal for pets and other livestock.



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Appendix 3

Recommended Further Reading

1) pH miracle pH Miracle by Dr ROBERT YOUNG. This book is Dr Young's foundationalguide to the importance of optimum pH balance. It gives an overview of the causes of excess acidity and suggestions on diet to improve balance.

2) pH miracle for weight loss pH miracle for weight loss by Dr Robert Young. In thisbook Dr Young looks at the impact of acidity on excess weight and illustrates how analkaline diet can result in dramatic reductions in weight and general health improvement.

3) pH miracle for diabetes pH miracle for diabetes by Dr Robert Young. This book gives adetailed plan for people suffering from TYPE1 and TYPE 2 diabetes by alkalizing the blood.The book includes case studies of people who overcame diabetes by implementing DrYoung's alkaline dietary recommendations.

4) Reverse Aging Reverse Aging by Sang Whang, Scientist and Inventor. This book is aninteresting perspective of the aging process and its direct relationship to excess acidity in thebody. Sang Whang attributes his own health improvement to be due to drinking alkalinewater.

5) The Acid Alkaline Diet Guide The Acid Alkaline diet guide by Christopher Vasey N.D., Anexcellent introduction to acid- alkaline balance, its importance and steps you can take toattain optimal balance.

6) The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet An Innovative Program for Ridding Your Body of AcidicWastes - by Felicia Drury Kliment. The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet explores this exciting newtreatment in alternative medicine.

7) Water & Salt Water and Salt: Your Healers from within - by Dr F Batmanghelidj. This is afollow up book to his best seller Your body’s many cries for water. This book gives lots of examples of the problems that are caused by dehydration and how you can use water to giveimmense therapeutic benefit.

8) The Acid and Alkaline Food Guide The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide is an excellent resourcefor people who want to widen their food choices. Written By Dr Susan Brown and Larry TriveriJnr it gives an excellent overview of the effects of metabolic acidosis and steps you can take toneutralise the harmful effects of increased acidity.

9) Alkalise or Die . Written by naturopathic doctor Theodore A. Baroody this book gives agood overview of the effects of excess acidity and dietary recommendations to bring pH back into balance.

10) Acid & Alkaline. This book by Herman Aihara looks at the whole concept of acid/alkalinebalance and how this integrates the concepts of both Western & Eastern health science.



References

Aihara H. (1986) Acid and Alkaline. Chico: George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation.

Haysahi, Dr H, Director, Water Institute Japan- Ionized Water Article (2000)

Baroody T. A, (1991). Alkalise or Die . Waynesville: Holographic Health Press

Batmanghelifj F. (2003). Water & Salt: Your Healers From Within . Norwich: Tagman Worldwide Ltd

Brown E. & Trivieri L. (2006) The Acid Alkaline Food Guide. New York: Square one Publishing.

Kliment F. D. (2002) The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet. New York: Mc Graw Hill.

Kim W.H. (2005). Water of Life: A Cure For Our Body (English ed.). Korea: Onmire,Inc.

Vasey C. (2006). Acid Alkaline Diet For Optimum Health. Vermont: Healing Arts Press

Wang S. (2006). Reverse Aging . Miami: JSP Publishing

Young R. (2002). pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet Reclaim Your Health. New York: Warner Books Inc.

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