Before each BTA test, subjects are asked to fast for 12 hours from food, liquids, bathing and using a toothbrush or other oral devices. Although there can be some variation, baseline values are considered stable within a fairly predictable range for an individual. BTA clinicians use a baseline test as an individual’s relative reference point by which to measure nutritional programs aimed at bringing values into normal ranges.

Statistical analysis was performed on the eight subjects who were not diagnosed with pathological conditions. Analysis was performed on test changes before and after supplementation, using a student’s related t test for a small sample group. Results are reported as means, standard deviations, and p-values. These results are reported in Table 1.

Test subjects were encouraged to maintain their usual lifestyle during the supplementation period. The three subjects with pathological conditions did not provide a sample group large enough to statistically evaluate, however, some trends were observable.

RESULTS
Initial results indicated that several BTA parameters changed significantly after 18 days of supplementation. Averages were calculated on the pH, rH₂, and r values obtained in the blood, saliva, and urine on the eight normal subjects (Table 2). For each parameter a percent change from baseline was calculated. These values were also averaged for the group of eight healthy normals and for the three with pathologies. Figures 1-9 depict averaged values for the eight normals.

The group of eight healthy normal subjects showed significant change toward optimal values on four of the nine parameters (Table 1). A student t test performed for small sample groups showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) for the saliva pH, the saliva rH₂, and resistivity for blood and urine samples taken before and after supplementation of at least 18 days. The saliva pH value on the eight normal subjects tested was significant (p < 0.0187, SD 0.3056). The saliva rH₂ value (p< 0.0120, SD 0.6813) was significant on the eight healthy normal subjects. Blood resistivity value showed a significant change (p < 0.0462, SD 52.81) on the eight healthy normal subjects. Urine resistivity showed a significant change (p <0.0233, SD 22.6337) on the eight healthy normal subjects (Table 1). Standard errors for each parameter are also listed in (Table 1). A negative value indicates the relative direction of change.

The three unhealthy subjects showed less predictable responses after supplementation. The baseline average urine rH₂ for the normal subjects was 21.9. The baseline rH₂ for the three unhealthy subjects was 25.0 reflecting possible poor kidney function in these three. The three unhealthy subjects’ urine and saliva r values were most notably observed as being out of range initially or substantially altered in these subjects. Urine pH improved on the three unhealthy subjects. The blood r value for the unhealthy subjects showed a slight change towards optimal values. Saliva and urine r values showed variance among these patients and more extreme shifts in BTA values. Evaluating data on subjects with pathological conditions is less objective, as changes could be due to the pathology or to secondary malfunctioning organ systems.

DISCUSSION
Four of the nine parameters in normal healthy subjects showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) change toward more optimal ranges after supplementation (Table 1). In addition the average (% change) values calculated for urine pH, saliva r, and urine rH₂ also showed shifts towards more optimal ranges (Table 2). Although urine pH did not show a significant change for the group there was an 11.75% difference after supplementation shifting from 5.87 to 6.26 towards a more optimal and less acidic value indicating a possible trend. Urine r showed significant change towards optimal range (Figure 2,5,7,9).

Blood pH (Table 3, Figure 1) and blood rH2 (Figure 4) values did not change during this period as compared to other parameters. The values of these may not change as readily due to the heterogeneous and stable nature of blood that alters usually only after controlled diets or intravenous injections of bicarbonates (Figure 1,4). Urine rH₂ changed only slightly from 21.9 to 22.6 averaged values in the eight healthy normals (Figure 6). Although saliva r values were not significant at p< 0.05, (p < 0.0830), a change from baseline values of 23.8% toward more optimal values after supplementation could possibly indicate a further trend towards mineral homeostasis (Figure 3,6,8). Saliva contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium and potassium. Since mineral transport is the primary function of the supplement in nature, observing significant r values in the blood and urine was an indicator that the supplement may be capable of positively affecting mineral homeostasis in the body. Osmotic gradients, cellular integrity, biochemical reactions and neurological function depend on proper balance established between the elimination and retention of mineral salts.

Persons who have an underlying pathology often have organ systems such as the liver, kidney, or lymph system that may be unable to rid tissues of cellular metabolites, electrolytes or acid as a result of their diseased states as rapidly as healthier individuals. Urine BTA values often correspond to kidney malfunction as observed in electrolyte imbalance.

CONCLUSION

Spherical silicate derivatives have unique properties on mineral, ion and electrolyte transport. The ability of these particles (50-100 Angstroms or less) to further provide the unique characteristics of reduced water that generate reduced hydrogen may be important in the process of reducing oxygen free radicals produced in the digestive system or throughout the body. Research has indicated that the role of water in the diet is as diverse as it is fundamental. Water supports all biochemical reactions in tissues and cells, is the transport fluid in living systems, and is the medium where life begins. Water soluble silicate crystals can hydrogen bond up to three layers of water molecules [12]. A secondary conductivity layer is established by the orderly arrangement of hydrogen atoms surrounding the silicate crystal and pass electrons from one hydrogen atom to the next [12]. This electronic charge attracts ions such as H+, Fe3+, Ca2+, Na+ and others, especially in the outer layers [1,12]. The structure established is conducive to holding electrons or reduced hydrogen, providing electrons thought to be available to reduce free radicals in the digestive tract and possibly internally.

Recent research has indicated that reduced hydrogen can scavenge oxygen free-radicals, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical, all considered to cause extensive oxidative damage to biological macromolecules such as DNA, membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid chains and enzymes [4,5,13]. This free radical damage (oxidative stress) appears to cause certain diseases and aging [4,13]. When the dietary supplement is added to chlorinated tap water the redox potential changes from +270 mV to -650 mV as measured with standard meters. Electrolysis of water also produces a redox potential of -250 mV to -350 mV (depending on water source) and has been shown to protect DNA from oxidative damage with reduced hydrogen [4,5].

Although there is much to be learned about natural geological sources of mineral waters, it stands to reason that man was often exposed to these sources of water for survival. Nutritional and biochemical research is showing us the benefit of numerous mineral nutrients and their functions in biological systems. Silicate compounds are among the most abundant components of the earth’s surface and are found lining streams, river beds and marine environments. Certain silicate derivatives have unique structures, are hydrophilic and bind ions and electrolytes readily. Research has shown that some forms of silica compounds are better absorbed [15]. One study found silica to have a protective effect against high levels of aluminum in drinking water associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly especially when the pH was high [14]. Elemental silicon is essentially safe when taken orally and has been used for over 40 yr. as an over-the-counter antacid and as a pharmacological drug in the treatment of circulatory ischemias and osteoporosis [15]. Its biological function is as a cross-linking agent in connective tissue and bone. Some renal calculi may contain silicates in mammals [15].

The community of clinicians who utilize biological terrain testing notice that certain nutritional supplement programs begin to beneficially affect BTA parameters. Some do not alter BTA parameters until after 3-6 months. Before initiating long-term studies, we investigated the effect of this supplement on BTA parameters in order to observe possible trends. Further investigation utilizing additional procedures will provide valuable information to geologists, nutritionists, and physicians as to the benefits of these historically acclaimed silicate structures and their function in providing biologically reduced water, and mineral transport as found in geological natural water sources renowned for health and longevity.

Leonard Smith Jr., M.D. Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, College of Medicine Gainesville, Florida.

Kimberly Purdy Lloyd, M.S. Technical Writer/Research Director, Royal BodyCare, Irving, Texas.

We gratefully acknowledge Dennis Higgins, M.D.H. and Kathryn Phelps of Environmental/Invironmental Technologies, Inc. for coordinating and facilitating this research.

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