I have to confess that the extra reading I’ve done to prepare for these two posts on fluorine has proved eye-opening. Although I’ve been trying to avoid fluorine to protect my thyroid for almost a year now, I really didn’t know until now how much damage fluorine also does to bones, brains, child development, and so much more. As I mentioned in the previous fluoride post, the book Iodine: Why You Need It Why You Can’t Live Without It explains why fluorine harms the thyroid, and that was enough for me. (Well, that and the agreement of a couple of naturopaths and doctors.) What I’ve learned in the past few days, though, has shocked me. I knew fluoride was bad, but I didn’t know just how bad.
For example, consider what The Fluoride Debate’s website reports:
One intriguing and disturbing fact about fluoridation is that over 90% of the agent used in US fluoridation schemes is not pharmaceutical grade sodium fluoride, on which practically all toxicological testing has been performed, but industrial grade hexafluorosilicic acid obtained from the air pollution scrubbing systems of the superphosphate industry (e.g. Cargill Fertilizer). By law, this waste cannot be dumped into the sea but the EPA allows it to be diluted down with our public drinking water. The union representing scientists at the EPA headquarters in Washington, DC has gone on record as opposing this bizarre form of hazardous waste management (See www.fluoridealert.org)
Lovely! Just what I hoped I’d have the privilege of drinking every day. Even better, this kind of fluoride supposedly is also frequently contaminated with arsenic. Mmmm.
I highly recommend visiting Dr. Mercola’s website for more information on fluoride’s effects. Although you will need to sign up, access is free. Once you’re on the site, simply search for “fluoride” or “fluoridation.” You will find dozens of articles–ones that cite real studies and true news stories–for your perusal. Dr. Mercola even has an entire page devoted to other websites where you can learn more about fluoride.
I also keep seeing information about a book called Fluoride Deceptionby Christopher Bryson. Since I haven’t yet read the book, I can’t give a personal recommendation, but I can assure you that I’m adding it to my reading list.
Now that we’re all scared out of our minds, or maybe just mildly alarmed, what steps can we take to avoid fluoride? Here are some ideas:
1. Nix any toothpaste that contains fluoride. Also dump any fluoride pills and mouth rinses. I know that Jason, Tom’s of Maine, and Nature’s Gate make fluoride-free dental care products. Personally, I prefer Jason’s varieties (particularly this one), and I buy them online at www.vitacost.com. Just be aware that not all ”natural” toothpastes are fluoride-free. You’ll need to check the products individually. (Consider checking the products or their ingredients at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for other potentially harmful ingredients like sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate.)
2. Find out for sure whether or not your water is fluoridated. It probably is, but you never know. You might be one of the lucky few.
3. Consider getting an outside opinion on what’s in your water. I came across a company called Aqua MD that will not only let you know exactly what’s in your water (including fluoride, arsenic, VOCs [volatile organic compounds], and other contaminants), they’ll advise you on an action plan–all for $40. And no, they don’t sell any of the treatment options. Check out their website and watch the introductory video to find out more. I plan to purchase their service for my own home.
4. Do somethingto treat/filter your drinking water. Until now, I’ve been using an Aquasana counterop filter and shower filter to reduce my exposure to chlorine and VOCs, but I’m not sure how effective these are against fluoride. For now, it’s probably better than nothing, but I suspect I’ll end up using the countertop filter in conjunction with a distiller very soon. (FYI, I avoid chlorine because, like fluorine, it blocks iodine receptors and inhibits thyroid function, among many other terrible side effects.)
5. Avoid drinking instant tea. I know, it sounds really strange, but go Google “instant tea” and “fluoride” and devote the next 5 hours to reading the articles that come up.
6. Don’t let your dentist use fluoride on you during your regularly-scheduled cleanings. Just say no. You are paying them, after all. You might even consider switching to a biological dentist. I haven’t yet done this myself, but I plan to transition soon. I do have a dentist that does not use amalgam fillings (also known as “silver” fillings, they contain about 50% mercury). Instead, he uses white, mercury-free composite fillings, which is certainly a step in the right direction.
7. Finally, write letters or send emails to your representatives asking for an end to fluoridation. The Fluoride Action Network provides a form letter here for contacting your Congressman. I took advantage of this yesterday.
That’s all for now. As always, thanks for reading!
[Edited: To read my third post on fluoride, go here.]
What of pool water? Shall I stop swimming laps?
Thank you for putting this information out there. I did an article called, “The Pimp Juice Conpsiracy” on the very subject of fluoride. http://freeyourmindonline.net/Blog/?p=11
Keep on getting that information out there. It is essential.
Matt, thanks for the encouragement!
Bear in mind that some white glass ionomer fillings are fluoride releasing. I didn’t know this until a number had been put in my mouth – I would have preferred to have the choice of non-fluoride white fillings. I subsequently got them removed after developing a small goitre. Definitely something worth asking your dentist about if you’re having work done and your thyroid is a bit marginal…
Hello Pennythoughts, I know, I know, I was just here yesterday – well, I couldn’t just run right by when I saw topic like flourine, strikes home with me. Been through all that as have had goiter most of my adult life. Was ‘hypo’ prior, so did not believe it when a physician told me I was ‘hyper’ and toxic and wanted me in hospital for nuclear meds. That was about 12 years ago and one had to be quarantined in those days.
Guess I should have listened to him as it has cost me dearly, and I did go thru the nuclear medicine anyway – 3 times to get the job done. The delay proved hard on the heart as I had been in A-fib between 3 to five years. To me it was a big deal as I had wanted to save my thyroid gland, desperately. Guess I had been asking doctors for more ncidentally, I found a terrific article which I downlothan 30 years to give me “iodine” which is what one needs for malfunctioning gland. My grandmother had it with a goiter, got iodine and was fine after that. Same with my mother. I was told over and over, we don’t do it that way anymore. There are some doctors around who will talk to you about options, but most are not really trained enuff to go against the tide.
I have been distilling my own water about 15 years now. Use a Sears distiller, am on maybe my 4th one. They are great, simple to use and run around $120 ( but they have sales) There are few municipalities with water fit to drink in my opinion and distilling gets rid of everything. But that is a problem too as one must take minerals or go bald.
have been buying dental pastes @ Trader Joes for years as I have long been opposed to flourine/flouride etc. and the one I like quite well is Dr Ken’s “Maximum Care….also I use a type of salt crystal instead of deodorant. The crystals aren’t anti-perspirant, but they do keep the odor in acceptable orb. It used to be harder a couple of decades ago to buy, but these days, everything is online. My crystal is around 2″ roundish, last for years and may have cost me around $10. Can’t beat it. I do this why – my mammary glands are precious to me as well as all the other glands. One last thing, If I do have to start taking a thyroid med, it will be “Armour” as it is a natural product from food-grade pigs. Doctors don’t really prefer this, but its your body and one should check these things out – isn’t the internet great? I downloaded an article on the History of Iodine in Medicine. It was Part 1: From discovery to essentiality by Guy E Abraham M.D., a saint of a physician who used to head several departments at UCLA. Brilliant man.
Hello Pennythoughts, I know, I know, I was just here yesterday – well, I couldn’t just run right by when I saw topic like flourine, strikes home with me. Been through all that as have had goiter most of my adult life. Was ‘hypo’ prior, so did not believe it when a physician told me I was ‘hyper’ and toxic and wanted me in hospital for nuclear meds. That was about 12 years ago and one had to be quarantined in those days.
Guess I should have listened to him as it has cost me dearly, and I did go thru the nuclear medicine anyway – 3 times to get the job done. The delay proved hard on the heart as I had been in A-fib between 3 to five years. To me it was a big deal as I had wanted to save my thyroid gland, desperately. Guess I had been asking doctors for more than 30 years to give me “iodine” which is what one needs for malfunctioning gland. My grandmother had it with a goiter, got iodine and was fine after that. Same with my mother. I was told over and over, we don’t do it that way anymore. There are some doctors around who will talk to you about options, but most are not really trained enuff to go against the tide.
I have been distilling my own water about 15 years now. Use a Sears distiller, am on maybe my 4th one. They are great, simple to use and run around $120 ( but they have sales) There are few municipalities with water fit to drink in my opinion and distilling gets rid of everything. But that is a problem too as one must take minerals or go bald.
have been buying dental pastes @ Trader Joes for years as I have long been opposed to flourine/flouride etc. and the one I like quite well is Dr Ken’s “Maximum Care….also I use a type of salt crystal instead of deodorant. The crystals aren’t anti-perspirant, but they do keep the odor in acceptable orb. It used to be harder a couple of decades ago to buy, but these days, everything is online. My crystal is around 2″ roundish, last for years and may have cost me around $10. Can’t beat it. I do this why – my mammary glands are precious to me as well as all the other glands. One last thing, If I do have to start taking a thyroid med, it will be “Armour” as it is a natural product from food-grade pigs. Doctors don’t really prefer this, but its your body and one should check these things out – isn’t the internet great? I downloaded an article on the History of Iodine in Medicine. It was Part 1: From discovery to essentiality by Guy E Abraham M.D., a saint of a physician who used to head several departments at UCLA. Brilliant man.