Why You Should Consider Filtering Fluoride From Your Drinking Water

Introduction

Water fluoridation has been a standard addition to public water in many countries since the 1940s, originally introduced to supposedly help reduce tooth decay. But in recent years, a growing number of people have begun asking a simple question: Is fluoride in my drinking water actually good for me?

Let's start with a clarification before we go further: fluoride is not a chemical "element" — it is fluorine (a poisonous gas at room temperature) that is a chemical element. Go ahead and check — fluorine is #9 on the Periodic Table of Elements.

So let's take a look at fluoride from a functional health perspective. Here's everything we've learned about fluoride from four different functional health certification programs:

First: Fluoride looks molecularly similar to iodine, they're both halogens — they are chemically similar. So, fluoride competes with iodine in the body. And this matters because the thyroid relies on iodine to produce the hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. 

There was no degree of hyopthyroidism, nor Hashimoto's, nor thyroid antibodies prior to the fluoridation of our water systems.

Second: Fluoride can block the receptor site where selenium is supposed to go to get into cells. When this happens:

• T4 cannot convert into T3, and this can lead to “hypothyroid” when it’s really not, it’s just that selenium cannot get into cells (fluoride toxicity)
  • Selenium is responsible for 79 different reactions in the body including methylation (part of detoxification), thyroid and brain hormone conversions
  • Inhibiting T3 means fluoride is an endocrine disruptor — right there next to BPA, phthalates, pesticides, and parabens...
• This is why blood testing alone for vitamins and nutrients doesn’t always work — you can have a lot of selenium in your blood and not enough getting into cells; this is why we recommend HTMA testing depending on certain symptoms, as a means to see inside the cells in your body

Third: Fluoride can cross the the blood-brain barrier

• This is why allegations that fluoride destroys the pineal gland lining are true
• What does the pineal gland, one of our major endocrine glands, do?
  • It releases melatonin, which helps the body recognize when it is
    time to go to sleep
  • For more on the pineal gland, go to Wikipedia.

Fourth: Early studies indicate fluoride has a negative impact on the beneficial bacteria in our gut: the firmicutes and bacteroidetes phyla. If you've ever run a GI Map on yourself, you know how critical both of these are, and for them to be in balance. An insufficiency of either or both prompts symptoms, and we are seeing more and more insufficiency patterns day by day.

Fifth: Fluoride is shown to be linked to creating many other changes in the body, from:

• ceruloplasmin depletion (one example study)
• inhibiting alkaline phosphatase (essential for healthy bile...which helps us absorb vitamins and detoxify toxins) (one example study)
• chronic kidney disease (one example study)
• even osteoporosis (impacts collagen) and dementia (helps aluminum transform to cross the blood brain barrier) (read more)

There's also evidence that fluoride destroys EZ water (exclusion zone water) and impairs redox balance, but we'll save that for another post.

How to Filter Fluoride From Your Water

Not all water filters remove fluoride. Here are the most effective methods:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): Up to 95%+
  • Most effective; removes many other contaminants too
• Activated Alumina Filters: Up to 95%
  • While specifically designed for fluoride removal these add aluminum (not ideal)
• Bone Char Carbon Filters: Up to 90%
  • A more natural option; also removes other heavy metals
• Distillation: Up to 99%
  • Highly effective but slower process
• Standard Carbon Filters (e.g., Brita): Minimal removal
  • Not effective for fluoride removal

The most affordable countertop RO system with certifications to back it up is the AquaTru. We don't offer a referral link because in order to give you a discount and make a small buck for helping you choose them...they require owning our likeness...we'll pass. So please look them up, it's a good filter regardless of their marketing legalese.

Where else is fluoride besides water?

There are three big ones to note:

1. Dental products
   1. Toothpastes, mouthwashes, even floss...
2. Medication
   1. In the highly concerning group of fluoroquinolone antibiotics
      1. Note: The FDA has issued black box warnings about fluroquinolones but they are still very frequently prescribed...
   2. In anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants
3. Teas
   1. Dried teas that you steep
   2. Matcha powders (yes, sorry!)

What can you do when you live in a world of buying drinks and eating out?

1. Prepare your own fluoride free drinks for your day, buy Evian and other fluoride free waters when necessary, and indulge occasionally — it's okay to live your life.
2. Oral health alternatives:
   1. Aloe vera swishing. Aloe is as effective as fluoride rinse on plaque formation, gingivitis, and bleeding (and it's great for your gut, skin, and so much more) You can also use coconut oil, too.
   2. Fluoride free toothpastes - there are plenty of options to choose from
3. Request third party testing of teas
4. Ask for alternative medications when necessary...and care for yourself with functional health so you're less likely to need them to begin with (proactive testing, and testing for known symptom reduction)