There have been numerous studies in Japan and the United States on the benefits of using Alkaline Water. Below are a few now available to the public.

1. Health Benefits of Alkaline Drinking Water

The following sources are from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

• PMID 18203918: The effect of the alkali load of mineral water on bone metabolism: interventional studies.
• PMID 8869414: Adverse effects on bone turnover with low-calcium diets can be prevented by giving high-calcium, alkaline drinking water.
• PMID 10731509: Mineral water as a source of dietary calcium: acute effects on parathyroid function and bone resorption in young men.

2. Acid/Alkaline Theory of Disease

The following sources are from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

• PMID: 18203913: Diets or drugs that shift acid-base balance in the alkaline direction may provide useful treatments for bone loss disorders.
• PMID: 11842945: Low-grade metabolic alkalosis may be the optimal acid-base state for humans.
• PMID: 18203917: Food composition and acid-base balance: alimentary alkali depletion and acid load in herbivores.
• PMID 18326605: Alkaline diets favor lean tissue mass in older adults.

3. Water Structure Research

The following sources are from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

PMID: 12371874

How ions affect the structure of water.

Hribar B, Southall NT, Vlachy V, Dill KA. Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.

We model ion solvation in water. We use the MB model of water, a simple two-dimensional statistical mechanical model in which waters are represented as Lennard-Jones disks having Gaussian hydrogen-bonding arms. We introduce a charge dipole into MB waters. We perform (NPT) Monte Carlo simulations to explore how water molecules are organized around ions and around nonpolar solutes in salt solutions. The model gives good qualitative agreement with experiments, including Jones-Dole viscosity B coefficients, Samoilov and Hirata ion hydration activation energies, ion solvation thermodynamics, and Setschenow coefficients for Hofmeister series ions, which describe the salt concentration dependence of the solubilities of hydrophobic solutes. The two main ideas captured here are (1) that charge densities govern the interactions of ions with water, and (2) that a balance of forces determines water structure: electrostatics (water's dipole interacting with ions) and hydrogen bonding (water interacting with neighboring waters). Small ions (kosmotropes) have high charge densities so they cause strong electrostatic ordering of nearby waters, breaking hydrogen bonds. In contrast, large ions (chaotropes) have low charge densities, and surrounding water molecules are largely hydrogen bonded.

4. Clinical Studies On The Effects of Electrolyzed-Reduced Water - Ionized Water

The following information is sourced from various peer-reviewed literature as well as various Internet sites. This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to cure or treat any disease or illness. Consult your doctor for specialized medical advice.

Ionized water produced by a "water ionizer" has various names:

Alkaline Electrolyzed Reduced Water Research

• Preservative effect of electrolyzed reduced water on pancreatic β-cell mass in diabetic mice
• Electrolyzed-reduced water scavenges active oxygen & protects DNA from oxidative damage.
• Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein.
• The mechanism of the enhanced antioxidant effects of reduced water produced by electrolysis
• Use of ionized water in hypochlorhydria, achlorhydria, reduction of high blood pressure
• Use of ionized water for gynecological conditions
• Clinical improvements obtained from the uptake of Ionized Water
• Alkaline ionized water for abdominal complaints: Placebo controlled double blind tests
• Physiological effects of alkaline ionized water: intestinal fermentation
• Effects of calcium alkaline ionized water on formation and maintenance of osseous tissues
• Reduced water for prevention of disease
• Use of Ionized water in heart disease and toxins
• Use of Ionized water in skin disease
• Use of Ionized water in allergies
• Use of Ionized water in diabetes treatment
• Use of Ionized water in treating Acidosis
• Environmental electrochemistry of water
• Fluid replacement promotes optimal physical performance

Preservative Effect of Electrolyzed Reduced Water on Pancreatic β-Cell Mass in Diabetic db/db Mice

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2007 Feb;30(2):234-6

Mi-Ja Kim1,2, Kyung Hee Jung,3 Yoon Kyung Uhm,3 Kang-Hyun Leem,4 and Hye Kyung Kim,5

1) Department of Obesity Management, Graduate School of Obesity Science, Dongduk Women's University
2) Imagine Obesity Institute, 117 Purynsol Mun Wa Gyun, Kyung Hee University
3) Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University
4) College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University
5) Department of Food and Biotechnology, Hanseo University

Oxidative stress is produced under diabetic conditions and involved in the progression of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Both an increase in reactive oxygen free radical species (ROS) and a decrease in the antioxidant defense mechanism lead to the increase in oxidative stress in diabetes. Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) with ROS scavenging ability may have a potential effect on diabetic animals, a model for high oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study examined the possible anti-diabetic effect of ERW in genetically diabetic mouse strain C57BL/6J-db/db (db/db). ERW with ROS scavenging ability reduced the blood glucose concentration, increased blood insulin level, improved glucose tolerance, and preserved β-cell mass in db/db mice. The present data suggest that ERW may protect β-cell damage and would be useful for antidiabetic agent.

Related Research:
Involvement of Oxidative Stress and the JNK Pathway in Glucose Toxicity

Adequate fluid replacement helps maintain hydration and promotes the health, safety, and optimal physical performance of individuals participating in regular physical activity.

Med Sci Sports Exercise
1996 Jan;28(1):i-vii.

American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Convertino VA, Armstrong LE, Coyle EF, Mack GW, Sawka MN, Senay LC Jr, Sherman WM.

It is the position of the American College of Sports Medicine that adequate fluid replacement helps maintain hydration and, therefore, promotes the health, safety, and optimal physical performance of individuals participating in regular physical activity. This position statement is based on a comprehensive review and interpretation of scientific literature concerning the influence of fluid replacement on exercise performance and the risk of thermal injury associated with dehydration and hyperthermia. Based on available evidence, the American College of Sports Medicine makes the following general recommendations on the amount and composition of fluid that should be ingested in preparation for, during, and after exercise or athletic competition: 1) It is recommended that individuals consume a nutritionally balanced diet and drink adequate fluids during the 24-hr period before an event, especially during the period that includes the meal prior to exercise, to promote proper hydration before exercise or competition. 2) It is recommended that individuals drink about 500 ml (about 17 ounces) of fluid about 2 h before exercise to promote adequate hydration and allow time for excretion of excess ingested water. 3) During exercise, athletes should start drinking early and at regular intervals in an attempt to consume fluids at a rate sufficient to replace all the water lost through sweating (i.e., body weight loss), or consume the maximal amount that can be tolerated. 4) It is recommended that ingested fluids be cooler than ambient temperature [between 15 degrees and 22 degrees C (59 degrees and 72 degrees F])] and flavored to enhance palatability and promote fluid replacement. Fluids should be readily available and served in containers that allow adequate volumes to be ingested with ease and with minimal interruption of exercise. 5) Addition of proper amounts of carbohydrates and/or electrolytes to a fluid replacement solution is recommended for exercise events of duration greater than 1 h since it does not significantly impair water delivery to the body and may enhance performance. During exercise lasting less than 1 h, there is little evidence of physiological or physical performance differences between consuming a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink and plain water. 6) During intense exercise lasting longer than 1 h, it is recommended that carbohydrates be ingested at a rate of 30-60 g.h(-1) to maintain oxidation of carbohydrates and delay fatigue. This rate of carbohydrate intake can be achieved without compromising fluid delivery by drinking 600-1200 ml.h(-1) of solutions containing 4%-8% carbohydrates (g.100 ml(-1)). The carbohydrates can be sugars (glucose or sucrose) or starch (e.g., maltodextrin). 7) Inclusion of sodium (0.5-0.7 g.1(-1) of water) in the rehydration solution ingested during exercise lasting longer than 1 h is recommended since it may be advantageous in enhancing palatability, promoting fluid retention, and possibly preventing hyponatremia in certain individuals who drink excessive quantities of fluid. There is little physiological basis for the presence of sodium in an oral rehydration solution for enhancing intestinal water absorption as long as sodium is sufficiently available from the previous meal.

Electrolyzed-reduced water scavenges active oxygen species and protects DNA from oxidative damage.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun.
1997 May 8;234(1):269-74.

Shirahata S, Kabayama S, Nakano M, Miura T, Kusumoto K, Gotoh M, Hayashi H, Otsubo K, Morisawa S, Katakura Y.

Institute of Cellular Regulation Technology, Graduate School of Genetic Resources Technology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. [email protected]

Active oxygen species or free radicals are considered to cause extensive oxidative damage to biological macromolecules, which brings about a variety of diseases as well as aging. The ideal scavenger for active oxygen should be 'active hydrogen'. 'Active hydrogen' can be produced in reduced water near the cathode during electrolysis of water. Reduced water exhibits high pH, low dissolved oxygen (DO), extremely high dissolved molecular hydrogen (DH), and extremely negative redox potential (RP) values. Strongly electrolyzed-reduced water, as well as ascorbic acid, (+)-catechin and tannic acid, completely scavenged O.-2 produced by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XOD) system in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of reduced water is stable at 4 degrees C for over a month and was not lost even after neutralization, repeated freezing and melting, deflation with sonication, vigorous mixing, boiling, repeated filtration, or closed autoclaving, but was lost by opened autoclaving or by closed autoclaving in the presence of tungsten trioxide which efficiently adsorbs active atomic hydrogen. Water bubbled with hydrogen gas exhibited low DO, extremely high DH and extremely low RP values, as does reduced water, but it has no SOD-like activity. These results suggest that the SOD-like activity of reduced water is not due to the dissolved molecular hydrogen but due to the dissolved atomic hydrogen (active hydrogen). Although SOD accumulated H2O2 when added to the HX-XOD system, reduced water decreased the amount of H2O2 produced by XOD. Reduced water, as well as catalase and ascorbic acid, could directly scavenge H2O2. Reduced water suppresses single-strand breakage of DNA b active oxygen species produced by the Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that reduced water can scavenge not only O2.- and H2O2, but also 1O2 and .OH.

PMID: 9169001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol.
2006 Nov;135(2):133-44.

Lee MY, Kim YK, Ryoo KK, Lee YB, Park EJ. Department of Genetic Engineering, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam 336-600, Korea.

The generation of reactive oxygen species is thought to cause extensive oxidative damage to various biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and protein. In this study, the preventive, suppressive, and protective effects of in vitro supplementation with electrolyzed-reduced water on H2O2-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes were examined using a comet assay. Pre-treatment, co-treatment, and post-treatment with electrolyzed-reduced water enhanced human lymphocyte resistance to the DNA strand breaks induced by H2O2 in vitro. Moreover, electrolyzed-reduced water was much more effective than diethylpyrocarbonate-treated water in preventing total RNA degradation at 4 and 25 degrees C. In addition, electrolyzed-reduced water completely prevented the oxidative cleavage of horseradish peroxidase, as determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacry

PMID: 17159237 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The Mechanism of the Enhanced Antioxidant Effects Against Superoxide Anion Radicals of Reduced Water Produced by Electrolysis

Biophys Chem. 2004 Jan 1;107(1):71-82.

Hanaoka K, Sun D, Lawrence R, Kamitani Y, Fernandes G.

Bio-REDOX Laboratory Inc. 1187-4, Oaza-Ueda, Ueda-shi, Nagano-ken 386-0001, Japan. [email protected]

We reported that reduced water produced by electrolysis enhanced the antioxidant effects of proton donors such as ascorbic acid (AsA) in a previous paper. We also demonstrated that reduced water produced by electrolysis of 2 mM NaCl solutions did not show antioxidant effects by itself. We reasoned that the enhancement of antioxidant effects may be due to the increase of the ionic product of water as solvent. The ionic product of water (pKw) was estimated by measurements of pH and by a neutralization titration method. As an indicator of oxidative damage, Reactive Oxygen Species- (ROS) mediated DNA strand breaks were measured by the conversion of supercoiled phiX-174 RF I double-strand DNA to open and linear forms. Reduced water had a tendency to suppress single-strand breakage of DNA induced by reactive oxygen species produced by H2O2/Cu (II) and HQ/Cu (II) systems. The enhancement of superoxide anion radical dismutation activity can be explained by changes in the ionic product of water in the reduced water.

PMID: 14871602 [PubMed]

Use of Ionized Water in Hypochlorhydria or Achlorhydria

Prof. Kuninaka Hironage, Head of Kuninaka Hospital

"Too many fats in the diets, which lead to the deposition of cholesterol on the blood vessels, which in turn constrict the blood flow, cause most illnesses such as high blood pressure. In accordance with the theory of Professor Gato of Kyushu University on Vitamin K (because vitamin K enables the blood calcium to increase), or the consumption of more antioxidant water, the effectiveness of the increase in the calcium in high blood pressure is most significant. The consumption of alkaline antioxidant water for a period of 2 to 3 months, I have observed the blood pressure slowly drop, due to the water's solvent ability, which dissolves the cholesterol in the blood vessels."

Use of Ionized Water for Gynecological Conditions

Prof. Watanabe Ifao, Watanabe Hospital

"Ionized alkaline antioxidant water improves body constituents and ensures effective healing to many illnesses. The uses of antioxidant water in gynecological patients have proved to be very effective. The main reason for its effectiveness is that this water can neutralize toxins.

When given antioxidant water to pre-eclamptic toxemia cases, the results are most significant. During my long years of servicing the pre-eclamptic toxemia cases, I found that the women with pre-eclamptic toxemia who consumed antioxidant water tend to deliver healthier babies with stronger muscles. A survey report carried out on babies in this group showed intelligence above average."

Toxin Neutralization

Prof. Kuwata Keijiroo, Doctor of Medicine

"In my opinion, the wonder of antioxidant water is the ability to neutralize toxins, but it is not a medicine. The difference is that the medicine can only apply to each and individual case, whereas the antioxidant water can be consumed generally, and its neutralizing power is something which is very much unexpected. Now, in brief, let me introduce to you a heart disease case and how it was cured.

The patient was a 35 years old male suffering from vascular heart disease. For 5 years, his sickness deteriorated. He was in the Setagays Government Hospital for treatment.

During those 5 years, he had been in and out of the hospital 5 to 6 times. He had undergone high-tech examinations such as angiogram by injecting VINYL via the vein into the heart. He consulted and sought treatment from many good doctors where later he underwent a major surgical operation. Upon his discharge from the hospital, he quit his job to convalesce. However, each time when his illness relapsed, the attack seemed to be even more severe.

Last year, in August, his relatives were in despair and expected he would not live much longer. It so happened at that time that the victim's relative came across an antioxidant water processor. His illness responded well, and he is now on the road to recovery."

(In the United States, cardiovascular diseases account for more than one-half of the approximate 2 million deaths occurring each year… It is estimated that optimal conditioning of drinking water could reduce this cardiovascular disease mortality rate by as much as 15 percent in the United States) - Report of the Safe Drinking Water Committee of the National Academy of Sciences, 1977

Prof. Tamura Tatsuji, Keifuku Rehabilitation Center

"Eczema is used to describe several varieties of skin conditions, which have a number of common features. The exact cause or causes of eczema are not fully understood. In many cases, eczema can be attributed to external irritants.

Let me introduce a patient who recovered from skin disease after consuming the antioxidant water. This patient suffered 10 years of eczema and could not be cured effectively even under specialist treatment. This patient, who is 70 years of age, is the president of a vehicle spare parts company. After the war, his lower limbs suffered acute eczema, which later became chronic. He was repeatedly treated in a specialist skin hospital.

The left limb responded well to treatment, but not so on the right limb. He suffered severe itchiness, which, when scratched led to bleeding. During the last 10 years, he was seen and treated by many doctors. When I first examined him, his lower limb around the joints was covered with vesicles. Weeping occurred owing to serum exuding from the vesicles.

I advised him to try consuming antioxidant water. He bought a unit and consumed the antioxidant water religiously and used the acidic water to bathe the affected areas. After 2 weeks of treatment, the vesicles dried up. The eczema was completely cleared without any relapse after 1½ month."

Prof. Kuninaka Hironaga, Head of Kuninaka Hospital

"Mr. Yamada, the head of Police Research Institute, suffered from severe allergy. He was treated repeatedly by a skin specialist, but with no success. Then he started consuming antioxidant water. The allergy responded very well and was soon completely cured. No relapse had occurred, although he had taken all kinds of food. He was most grateful and excited about this treatment.

As for myself, I had also suffered severe allergy. Ever since I began to consume antioxidant water, the allergy has recovered. Since then, I started research on the effectiveness of antioxidant water.

I discovered that most allergies are due to the acidification of the body condition and are also related to consuming too much meat and sugar. In every allergy case, the patient's antioxidant minerals are excessively low, which, in turn, lower the body resistance significantly. The body becomes overly sensitive and develops allergy easily. To stabilize the sensitivity, calcium solution is injected into the vein. Therefore, it is clear that the antioxidant water has ionic calcium, which can help alleviate allergy.

The ionic calcium not only enhances the heart, urination, and neutralization of toxins but controls acidity. It also enhances the digestive system and liver function. This will promote natural healing power and hence increase its resistance to allergy. In some special cases of illness, which do not respond to drugs, it is found to respond well to antioxidant water."

Prof. Kogure Keizou, Kogure Clinic of Juntendo Hospital

"The stomach is readily upset both by diseases affecting the stomach and by other general illnesses. In addition, any nervous tension or anxiety frequently causes gastric upset, vague symptoms when This information is under some strain.

The important role of antioxidant water in our stomach is to neutralize the secretion and strengthen its functions. Usually, after consuming antioxidant water for 1 to 3 minutes, the gastric juice increases to 1½ times. For those suffering from hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria (low in gastric juice), the presence of antioxidant water will stimulate the stomach cells to secrete more gastric juice. This, in turn, enhances digestion and absorption of minerals.

However, on the other hand, those with hyperchlorhydria (high in gastric juice), the antioxidant water neutralizes the excessive gastric juice. Hence, it does not create any adverse reaction.

According to the medical lecturer from Maeba University, the pH of the gastric secretion will still remain normal when antioxidant water is consumed. This proves that the ability of the antioxidant water is able to neutralize as well as to stimulate the secretion."

Prof. Kuwata Keijiroo, Doctor of Medicine

"When I was serving in the Fire Insurance Association, I used to examine many diabetic patients. Besides treating them with drugs, I provided them with antioxidant water. After drinking antioxidant water for one month, 15 diabetic patients were selected and sent to Tokyo University for further test and observations.

Initially, the more serious patients were a bit apprehensive about the treatment. When the antioxidant water was consumed for some time, the sugar in the blood and urine ranged from a ratio of 300 mg/l to 2 mg/dc. There was a time where the patient had undergone 5 to 6 blood tests a day and detected to be within the normal range. Results also showed that even 1½ hours after meals, the blood sugar and urine ratio was 100 mg/dc: 0 mg/dc. The sugar in the urine has completely disappeared."

NOTE:
More Americans than ever before are suffering from diabetes, with the number of new cases averaging almost 800,000 each year. The disease has steadily increased in the United States since 1980, and in 1998, 16 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes (10.3 million diagnosed; 5.4 million undiagnosed). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 193,000 died from the disease and its related complications in 1996. The greatest increase - 76 percent - occurred in people aged 30 to 30. ….
From: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, October 13, 2000 Fact Sheet.

Use of Ionized water in treating Acidosis

Prof. Hatori Tasutaroo, Head of Akajiuiji Blood Centre, Yokohama Hospital, Faitama District

"Due to a higher standard of living, our eating habits have changed. We consume too much proteins, fats and sugar. The excess fats and carbohydrates are in the body as fats. In the present lifestyles, Americans are more extravagant on food compared to the Japanese. Due to this excessive intake obesity is a significant problem. Normally, one out of five males and one out of four females is obese.

The degree of "burn-out" in food intake largely depends on the amount of intake of vitamins and minerals. When excessive intake of proteins, carbohydrates and fats occurs, the requirement for vitamins and minerals increases. However, there is not much research carried out pertaining to the importance of vitamins and minerals.

Nowadays, many people suffer from acidification that leads to diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, live and kidney diseases. If our food intake can be completely burned off, then there is no deposition of fats. Obviously, there will be no acidification problem and hence there should not be any sign of obesity.

The antioxidant water contains an abundance of ionic calcium. This ionic calcium helps in the "burn-off" process. By drinking antioxidant water, it provides sufficient minerals for our body. As a result, we do not need to watch our diet to stay slim.

Hence, antioxidant water is a savior for those suffering from obesity and many adult diseases, providing good assistance in enhancing good health."

This information is sourced from various peer-reviewed literature as well as various Internet sites. This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to cure or treat any disease or illness. Consult your doctor for specialized medical advice.

Dr. Sanetaka Shirahata
Graduate school of Genetic Resources Technology, Kyushu University,

6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.

It has long been established that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause many types of damage to biomolecules and cellular structures, that, in turn result in the development of a variety of pathologic states such as diabetes, cancer, and aging. Reduced water is defined as anti-oxidative water produced by the reduction of water. Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) has been demonstrated to be hydrogen-rich water and can scavenge ROS in vitro (Shirahata et al., 1997). The reduction of proton in water to active hydrogen (atomic hydrogen, hydrogen radical) that can scavenge ROS is very easily caused by a weak current, compared to oxidation of hydroxyl ion to oxygen molecule. Activation of water by a magnetic field, collision, minerals, etc. will also produce reduced water containing active hydrogen and/or hydrogen molecule. Several natural waters such as Hita Tenryosui water drawn from deep underground in Hita city in Japan, Nordenau water in Germany, and Tlacote water in Mexico are known to alleviate various diseases. We have developed a sensitive method by which we can detect active hydrogen existing in reduced water, and have demonstrated that not only ERW but also natural reduced waters described above contain active hydrogen and scavenge ROS in cultured cells. ROS is known to cause a reduction of glucose uptake by inhibiting the insulin-signaling pathway in cultured cells. Reduced water scavenged intracellular ROS and stimulated glucose uptake in the presence or absence of insulin in both rat L6 skeletal muscle cells and mouse 3T3/L1 adipocytes. This insulin-like activity of reduced water was inhibited by wortmannin that is a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, a key molecule in insulin signaling pathways. Reduced water protected insulin-responsive cells from sugar toxicity and improved the damaged sugar tolerance of type 2 diabetes model mice, suggesting that reduced water may improve insulin-independent diabetes mellitus. Cancer cells are generally exposed to high oxidative stress. Reduced water caused impaired tumor phenotypes of human cancer cells, such as a reduced growth rate, morphological changes, reduced colony formation ability in soft agar, passage number-dependent telomere shortening, reduced binding abilities of telomere binding proteins, and suppressed metastasis. Reduced water suppressed the growth of cancer cells transplanted into mice, demonstrating their anti-cancer effects in vivo. Reduced water will be applicable to not only medicine but also food industries, agriculture, and manufacturing industries.

Shirahata, S. et al.: Electrolyzed reduced water scavenges active oxygen species and protects DNA from oxidative damage. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 234, 269174, 1997.

Extracts from " Presentation At The Eight Annual International Symposium On man And His Environment in Health And Disease" on February 24th, 1990, at The Grand Kempinski Hotel, Dallas, Texas, USA by Dr. H. Hayashi, M.D. and Dr. M Kawamura, M.D., on:

THE CONCEPT OF PREHEPATIC MEDICINES

Since the introduction of alkaline ionic water in our clinic in 1985, we have had the following interesting clinical experiences in the use of this type of water. By the use of alkaline ionic water for drinking and the preparation of meals for our in-patients, we have noticed:

• Declines in blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
• Improvements in peripheral circulation in diabetic gangrene.
• Declines in uric acid levels in patients with gout.
• Improvements in liver function exams in hepatic disorders.
• Improvements in gastroduodenal ulcer and prevention of their recurrences.
• Improvements in hypertension and hypotension.
• Improvements in allergic disorders such as asthma, urticaria, rhinites and atopic dermatitis.
• Improvements in persistent diarrhea which occurred after gastrectomy.
• Quicker improvements in postoperative bowel paralysis.
• Improvements in serum bilirubin levels in newborn babies.

Being confirming clinical improvements, we have always observed changes of stools of the patients, with the color of their feces changing from black-brown color to a brighter yellow-brown one, and the odor of their feces becoming almost negligible.

The number of patients complaining of constipation also decreased markedly. The change of stool findings strongly suggests that alkaline ionic water intake can decrease the production of putrefied or pathogenic metabolites.

Devices to produce reduced water were introduced into our clinic in May 1985. Based on the clinical experiences obtained in the past 15 years, it can be said that the introduction of electrolyzed-reduced water for drinking and cooking purposes for in-patients should be the very prerequisite in our daily medical practices. Any dietary recipe cannot be a scientific one if the property of water is not taken into consideration.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan announced in 1965 that the intake of reduced water is effective for the restoration of intestinal flora metabolism.

Clinical evaluation of alkaline ionized water for abdominal complaints: Placebo controlled double-blind tests

by Hirokazu Tashiro, Tetsuji Hokudo, Hiromi Ono, Yoshihide Fujiyama, Tadao Baba (National Okura Hospital, Dept. of Gastroenterology; Institute of Clinical Research, Shiga University of Medical Science, Second Dept. of Internal Medicine)

Effect of alkaline ionized water on abdominal complaints was evaluated by placebo-controlled double-blind tests. Overall scores of improvement using alkaline ionized water marked higher than those of placebo-controlled group, and its effect proved to be significantly higher especially in slight symptoms of chronic diarrhea and abdominal complaints in cases of general malaise. Alkaline ionized water group did not get interrupted in the course of the test, nor did it show serious side effects nor abnormal test data. It was confirmed that alkaline ionized water is safer and more effective than placebos.

Summary

Effect of alkaline ionized water on abdominal complaints was clinically examined by double-blind tests using clean water as a placebo. Overall improvement rate was higher for the alkaline ionized water group than the placebo group and the former proved to be significantly more effective than the other especially in cases of slight symptoms. Examining improvement rate for each case of chronic diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal complaints, the alkaline ionized water group turned out to be more effective than the placebo group for chronic diarrhea and abdominal complaints. The test was stopped in one case of chronic diarrhea, among the placebo group due to exacerbation, whereas the alkaline ionized water group did not stop testing without serious side effects or abnormal test data in all cases. It was confirmed that alkaline ionized water is more effective than clean water against chronic diarrhea, abdominal complaints, and overall improvement rate (relief of abdominal complaints) and safer than clean water.

Introduction

Since the approval of alkaline ionized water electrolyzers by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 1966 for its antacid effect and efficacy against gastrointestinal disorders including hyperchylia, indigestion, abnormal gastrointestinal fermentation, and chronic diarrhea, they have been extensively used among patients. However, medical and scientific evaluation of their validity is not established. In our study, we examined the clinical effect of alkaline ionized water on gastrointestinal disorders across many symptoms in various facilities. Particularly, we studied safety and usefulness of alkaline ionized water by double-blind tests using clean water as a control group.

Test subjects and methods

163 patients (34 men, 129 women, age 21 to 72, average 38.6 years old) of indigestion, abnormal gastrointestinal fermentation (with abnormal gas emission and rugitus) and abdominal complaints caused by irregular dejection (chronic diarrhea, or constipation) were tested as subjects with good informed consent. Placebo-controlled double-blind tests were conducted using alkaline ionized water and clean water at multiple facilities. An alkaline ionized water electrolyzer sold commercially was installed with a pump-driven calcium dispenser in each of the subject homes. Tested alkaline ionized water had pH at 9.5 and calcium concentration at 30 ppm. Each subject in the placebo group used a water purifier that has the same appearance as the electrolyzer and produces clean water.

The tested equipment was randomly assigned by a controller who scaled off the key code which was stored safely until the tests were completed and the seal was opened again.

Water samples were given to each patient in the amount of 200ml in the morning with the total of 50OmI or more per day for a month. Before and after the tests, blood, urine and stool were tested and a log was kept on the subjective symptoms, bowel movements and accessory symptoms. After the tests, the results were analyzed based on the log and the test data.

Water Ionizer Test Results

1. Symptoms

Among 163 tested subjects, alkaline ionized water group included 84 and placebo group 79. Background factors such as gender, age and basal disorders did not contribute to significant difference in the results.

2. Overall improvement rate

As to overall improvement rate of abdominal complaints, alkaline ionized water group had 2 cases of outstanding improvement (2.5%), 26 cases of fair improvement (32.1%), 36 cases of slight improvement (44.4%), 13 cases of no change (16%) and 4 cases of exacerbation (4.9%), whereas placebo group exhibited 4 (5.2%), 19 (24.7%), 27 (35.1%), 25 (32.5%) and 2 cases (2.6%) for the same category. Comparison between alkaline ionized water and placebo groups did not reveal any significant difference at the level of 5% significance according to the Wilcoxon test, although alkaline ionized water group turned out to be significantly more effective than placebo group at the level of p value of 0.22.

Examining overall improvement rates by a 7, 2 test (with no adjustment for continuity) between the effective and noneffective groups, alkaline ionized water group had 64 (79%) of effective cases and 17 cases (21%) of non effective cases, whereas placebo group had 50 (64.9%) and 27 (35.1%) cases respectively. The result indicated that alkaline ionized water group was significantly more effective than placebo group at the level of p value of 0.0.48.

Looking only at 83 slight cases of abdominal complaints, overall improvement rate for alkaline ionized water group

(45 cases) was composed of 11 cases (242%) of fair improvement, 22 cases (48.9%) of slight improvement, 17 cases (44.7%) of no change and 3 cases (6.7%) of exacerbation, whereas placebo group (38 cases) had 3 (7.8%), 17 (44.7%), 17 (44.7%) and 1 (2.6%) cases for the same category. Alkaline ionized water group was significantly more effective than placebo group according to the comparison between the groups (p value = 0.033).

3. Improvement rate by basal symptom

Basal symptoms were divided into chronic diarrhea, constipation and abdominal complaints (dyspepsia) and overall improvement rate was evaluated for each of them to study effect of alkaline ionized water. In case of chronic diarrhoea, alkaline ionized water group resulted in 94.1% of effective cases and 5.9% of non effective cases. Placebo group came up with 64,7% effective and 35.3% non effective. These results indicate alkaline ionized water group proved to be significantly more effective than placebo group. In case of slighter chronic diarrhoea, comparison between groups revealed that alkaline ionized water group is significantly more effective than placebo group (p=0.015). In case of constipation, alkaline ionized water group consisted of 80.5% of effective and 19.5% of non effective cases, whereas placebo group resulted in 73.3% effective and 26.3 non effective. As to abdominal complaints (dyspepsia), alkaline ionized water group had 85.7% of effective and 14.3% non effective cases while placebo group showed 47.1% and 62.9% respectively. Alkaline ionized water group proved to be significantly more effective than placebo group (p=0.025).

4. Safety

Since one case of chronic diarrhoea, in placebo group saw exacerbation, the test was stopped. There was no such cases in alkaline ionized water group. Fourteen cases of accessory symptoms, 8 in alkaline ionized water group and 6 in placebo group, were observed, none of which were serious. 31 out of 163 cases (16 in alkaline ionized water group, 15 in placebo group) exhibited fluctuation in test data, although alkaline ionized water group did not have any problematic fluctuations compared to placebo group. Two cases in placebo group and one case in alkaline ionized water group have seen K value of serum climb up and resume to normal value after re testing which indicates the value changes were temporary.

Conclusion

As a result of double blind clinical tests of alkaline ionized water and clean water, alkaline ionized water was proved to be more effective than clean water against chronic diarrhoea, abdominal complaints (dyspepsia) and overall improvement rate (relief from abdominal complaints). Also, safety of alkaline ionized water was confirmed which clinically verifies its usefulness.