Anyone else avoiding Fluoride?

CarrieBerry · 03-19-2009, 06:22 AM

Is anyone else limiting their fluoride intake?

Ever since I read about the harmful effects of fluoride in Mary Shomon's book Living Well with Hypothyroidism I have limited my intake of tap water (only for cooking), started using baking soda in place of toothpaste (recently switched to Tom's natural toothpaste) and plan on not getting fluoride treatments at my next dentist visit.

For those of you that haven't heard, there is research that suggests that excess fluoride can lead to hypothyroidism. Mary talks about it in her book and there is many other resources siting such information. Fluoride doesn't even prevent cavities like everyone from dentists to toothpastes claim!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/post/PLNK25VMFA1UNJKAN
At this site there is a link to the CDC website where you can look up your city and see what the fluoride levels are in your tap water. It is amazing how cities add so much fluoride to the water and many people end up getting about eight times what they need!

CarrieBerry · 04-02-2009, 06:07 AM

Really? I'm the only one?

Here is some of the information I've found on the subject:

According to the US National Research Council, "several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride exposure on thyroid function."

"Fluoride's potential to impair thyroid function is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that -- up until the 1970s -- European doctors used fluoride as a thyroid-suppressing medication for patients with HYPER-thyroidism (over-active thyroid). Fluoride was utilized because it was found to be effective at reducing the activity of the thyroid gland - even at doses as low as 2 mg/day."

"Today, many people living in fluoridated communities are ingesting doses of fluoride (1.6-6.6 mg/day) that fall within the range of doses (2 to 10 mg/day) once used by doctors to reduce thyroid activity in hyperthyroid patients. "

"While it may be that the thyroid in a patient with hyperthyroidism is particularly susceptible to the anti-thyroid actions of fluoride, there is concern that current fluoride exposures may be playing a role in the widespread incidence of HYPO-thyroidism (under-active thyroid) in the U.S."

As recommended by the US National Research Council: “The effects of fluoride on various aspects of endocrine function should be examined further, particularly with respect to a possible role in the development of several diseases or mental states in the United States.”

http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/thyroid/

AdisGirl · 04-05-2009, 02:24 PM

I found info suggesting I need to avoid flouride while doing some internet ressearch. I am also currently reading through the book you mentioned. I do plan to switch to a non-flouride toothpaste once I finish up the stuff I have. I've read a lot of stuff saying we should only drink distilled water...any idea if boiling water takes away the flouride? Or if a water filter eliminates the flouride? I drink tons of water and don't want to buy excessive amounts of bottled water.

CarrieBerry · 04-09-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdisGirl

I found info suggesting I need to avoid flouride while doing some internet ressearch. I am also currently reading through the book you mentioned. I do plan to switch to a non-flouride toothpaste once I finish up the stuff I have. I've read a lot of stuff saying we should only drink distilled water...any idea if boiling water takes away the flouride? Or if a water filter eliminates the flouride? I drink tons of water and don't want to buy excessive amounts of bottled water.

Boiling does not remove the fluoride, it actually just concentrates it. Water filters with carbon also do not remove fluoride either (Brita, ect). Distilled water and water treated by reverse osmosis are fluoride free. Keep in mind that a lot of bottled waters still contain fluoride.

I have a water cooler at home that I use for drinking water. If you do purchase bottled water, call the company to see if they remove the fluoride. I'm not a real "green" person but I try to avoid drinking bottled water because of all of the waste the plastic bottles produce. I drink around 120-150 oz of water a day so by using a refillable bottle it saves me money and helps the enviroment.

If you decide to get fluoride-free toothpaste I suggest Tom's Natural brand. I can't tell the difference. There are several different types so read the label to make sure it is one of the fluoride-free one's.