Submited on: 02 Dec 2011 05:46:42 PM GMT
Published on: 03 Dec 2011 08:05:49 PM GMT
 

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Partly
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    The first point revolves around the taste of the distilled water-not only that it is tasteless but it may also have the “smell” of the plastic container in which it comes. The second issue is about the minerals like fluoride. Water is the major source of fluoride for both adults and children. Dental caries remain a major public health concern in most industrialized countries, affecting 60–90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults (1). Water fluoridation prevents cavities in both children and adults, (2) with studies estimating an 18–40% reduction in cavities when water fluoridation is used by children who already have access to toothpaste and other sources of fluoride (3). Water fluoridation is the most effective means of achieving fluoride exposure in the community. Other fluoride therapies also effective in preventing tooth decay include fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, gel, and varnish, and fluoridation of salt and milk. Although water fluoridation can cause dental fluorosis, which can alter the appearance of developing teeth, most of this is mild and usually not considered to be of aesthetic or public-health concern (4). Use of distilled water may aggravate an already rampant problem. The third issue is about the other minerals in natural water. These may be in a small amount but may be significant over a period of years as water is taken in liters by everyone every single day. On the other hand distilled water being acidic may leach out minerals from the body and may lead to more of diseases like osteoporosis. However water filtered through reverse osmosis tends to be neutral and is acceptable for regular use provided minerals are supplemented. Water filtered through a solid charcoal filter is slightly alkaline. Ozonation of this charcoal filtered water may be ideal for daily drinking. In an underdeveloped country like India where in many places water is pumped into taps without chlorination and/or filtration the risk of diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A and E is well established. Even most cases of diarrhea are due to the use of contaminated tap water. Therefore using home filters has become common now. However the availability of distilled water in India is scarce and its use is a costly affair.

    References:

    1. Petersen PE, Lennon MA. Effective use of fluorides for the prevention of dental caries in the 21st century: the WHO approach [PDF]. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2004;32(5):319–21. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00175.x. PMID 15341615.
    2. Parnell C, Whelton H, O'Mullane D. Water fluoridation. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009;10(3):141–8. PMID 19772843.
    3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2001;50(RR-14):1–42. PMID 11521913
    4. National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation [PDF]. 2007 [cited 2009-10-13]. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578. PMID 18584000

     

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Have seen epidemics of Enteric Fever, that too multi-drug resistant type, in Kashmir. This is mainly due to the use of contaminated tap water for drinking purposes. This water is unfortunately neither chlorinated nor filtered here.

  • How to cite:  Khan S A.The Controversy of Using Distilled Water for Daily Consumption[Review of the article 'Drinking Distilled Water- Are the effects Positive or Negative? - An Opinion ' by Misner B].WebmedCentral 2011;3(1):WMCRW001368
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Dr. Sarosh A Khan, Thank you for the well-informed comments you made regarding this paper. Flouride-enhanced water has been argued both pro and con. Would you mind if I respectfully reply to your comments regarding floride and distilled water pH??? I have been drinking only distilled water since 1996- 15 years without a single cavity. During that time period in my lab I have used distilled water only for a number of protocols. When I lab-measure the pH of distilled water products it is always within 0.1 of 7.0 pH...I have never measured an acidic or alkaline pH of distilled water even at 2 ppm TDS values. The largest survey ever conducted in the US (over 39,000 children from 84 communities) by the National Institute of Dental Research showed little difference in tooth decay among children in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities (Hileman 1989). According to NIDR researchers, the study found an average difference of only 0.6 DMFS (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces) in the permanent teeth of children aged 5-17 residing their entire lives in either fluoridated or unfluoridated areas (Brunelle
Responded by Dr. Bill Misner on 12 Jan 2012 06:45:24 PM

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Partly
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? Yes
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? Yes
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    The document is good. Dr. Bill Misner discusses key issues on the benefits of consuming this kind of water. We thank the author for their opinion and we encourage him to continue with this topic and perform an experimental investigation which compares two groups of people (healthy or sick), to reach stronger conclusions.

    Due to it is not an original article, tables should not be necessary; however they will be if the author perform the suggested investigation.

  • Competing interests:
    Nothing to decalre
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I work with critically ill patients in intensive care units, and know the benefits of adequate fluid and electrolyte intake

  • How to cite:  Moreno-Martinez F .Distilled water for a clinical trial[Review of the article 'Drinking Distilled Water- Are the effects Positive or Negative? - An Opinion ' by Misner B].WebmedCentral 2011;3(1):WMCRW001347
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Dear Dr. Francisco L Moreno-Martinez, Thank you for posting your comments, well-done, I completely agree! Others in the field of treating human cancers have made similar recommendations suspecting toxic impact from what patients drink. Much thanks, Bill
Responded by Dr. Bill Misner on 08 Jan 2012 04:19:28 PM
A thoughtful consideration.
Posted by Dr. Feng Feng on 24 Dec 2011 10:15:50 PM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Partly
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    As an opinion, this thoughtful consideration could potentially lead to a human health improving practise, although very carefully designed scientific research activities have to be carried out to reach any final conclusion.  

  • Competing interests:
    No.
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am working in the immunology field.

  • How to cite:  Feng F .A thoughtful consideration.[Review of the article 'Drinking Distilled Water- Are the effects Positive or Negative? - An Opinion ' by Misner B].WebmedCentral 2011;2(12):WMCRW001303
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Professor Feng Feng, Thank you for posting your review. I am especially appreciative knowing how your time is regarded well-spent. I also agree this idea, opinion could potentially be developed with controls in place to confirm either positive or negative results. Thank you again! Bill
Responded by Dr. Bill Misner on 25 Dec 2011 03:45:03 PM

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    As an opinion it is wellcomed and should be taken into consideration by those who works with humsn health

  • Competing interests:
    no
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am an expert  in nutrition, working with its relationship with skin.

  • How to cite:  Bedin V .Drinkind distilled water -Are the effects positive ou negative? - An opinion[Review of the article 'Drinking Distilled Water- Are the effects Positive or Negative? - An Opinion ' by Misner B].WebmedCentral 2011;2(12):WMCRW001222
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Professor Valcinir Bedin, Sir, thank you for the brilliant comments and esteemed review of this paper. Bill Misner PhD {Emeritus}
Responded by Dr. Bill Misner on 09 Dec 2011 06:06:49 PM