Too Much Fluoride
Recent articles on the health risks associated with long-term fluoridated water ingestion may have spurred your interest in removal of fluoride from your home water supply. If you live in a community with a fluoridated water supply, you may have personal interests in ingesting less fluoridated water. If the children in your area have dental fluorosis, this is a sign of too much ingestion of fluoride. There are several things you can do in your own home to decrease fluoride intake.
Background on Water Filtration
Most of the water filter systems do seize chlorine and some contaminants. Carbon-based filters such as Brita, Pur and most refrigerator filters do not remove fluoride, but do remove chlorine and contaminants such as lead and arsenic. Boiling water does not remove the fluoride, but instead concentrates the fluoride rather than eliminating it. Freezing water does not effect the removal of fluoride.
Rep out if the filter removes fluoride and what percentage is removed. NSF is a third party non-profit testing agency that rates water filters for the past 50 years. Look if the water filter is NSF certified. Water filtration systems require installation in the home in several different ways: on the cabinet-top, under the kitchen sink, in the refrigerator water line with an ice maker, or a whole house filtration system. These products can range in cost from $100 to several thousand dollars.
Activated alumina filter media, bone char carbon, and reverse osmosis systems are the three EPA recommended methods for removing fluoride from drinking water. The activated alumina filter and reverse osmosis are available for in home use and are the most effective ways to remove fluoride in households. Bone char carbon only removes about 50-60% of fluoride from treated water and is used in some industrial systems for fluoride removal.
Distillation also removes fluoride from water. However, distilled water does not imply that a product is valid for drinking water, as other impurities may quiet be reveal in the water with this process.
In-Home Water Purification to remove Fluoride
Consumer Reports (CR) and Consumers Digest Magazine are some of the best online and publication resources for the best water purifier reviews. You may also need to talk with a water filtration system specialist to find the best model to remove fluoride for your budget.
A full cartridge of 100% activated alumina is needed to allow proper contact time for effective fluoride removal! Activated alumina is aluminum oxide. (This is not aluminum, which is a more highly-processed metal made from activated alumina.) Activated alumina has a very high surface-area-to-weight ratio, with a lot of tunnel-like pores that race all through it. This means that there is a lot of surface spot against which the water interacts, thereby removing fluoride (and arsenic). Through the attraction of the metals, 90% to 98% of fluoride (and arsenic) is normally removed. The fluoride coats the surface of the alumina over time and eventually the cartridge needs to be replaced (usually once a year for a family of four). The best rated models have two or more cartridges: one or more for effective fluoride removal and one or more for the removal of other contaminants as chlorine, arsenic, etc. Another consideration is checking the water flow rate for optimal fluoride removal.
Faucet mounted water filters install directly on the kitchen water faucet and provides a button or lever to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. These are only one cartridge filters. Some remove fluoride, but this type is not the best product on the market. CR’s best buy for a faucet mounted water filter is the Culligan FM-15, but it does not remove fluoride.
The countertop water filter system allows for large volumes of filtered water, but also requires room for the unit on the counter. CR recommends The Crystal Quest Countertop Replaceable Triple Multi PLUS Water Filter System CQE-CT-00109 which removes fluoride. The tag on eBay starts at $125. Placement and size consideration is necessary as this model is the size of a bread-maker. This method is one of the best values and generous quality for fluoride removal.
CR reported that refrigerator in line filters do not work well at removing impurities. But CR did recommend using an under-sink system with a diversion that will feed the kitchen sink and the refrigerator as well. These install under the kitchen sink and connect to the water line allowing for large volumes of water without modifying the faucet. CR recommended three models but none of these removed fluoride including Culligan Preferred Series 350 Drinking Water System, the Everpure H-300 Water Filtration System EV9270-70 and the Everpure H-1200 Water Filtration System EV9282-00. The under the sink system for fluoride removal should have at least 3 cartridges to remove bacteria, fluoride and other contaminants. These models initiate at $150. A professional may be needed to install the more complicated under the sink systems. The refrigerator filter needs to be changed frequently even if there is an additional external filter. There are some brands of in-line fluoride removal filters for use in refrigerators with ice-makers or water through the door. These models start at $100.
All reverse osmosis water filtration systems will remove fluoride. For spend in the home, this is the most expensive design to remover fluoride and contaminants from household water. The disadvantage is that several gallons of water are wasted in purifying each gallon of water for drinking with some brands. Some of the highest rated systems are Pentek RO-3500 Reverse Osmosis System and the WaterFilters.Salvage RO5-WF 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Systems. These systems will cost several thousand dollars to install.
Bottled Drinking Water and Beverages
Unless the bottled water is distilled or reverse-osmosis is used to purify the water, the water is probably from a fluoridated public water supply. Some companies merely bottle tap water. On a commercial scale, reverse-osmosis is used by several bottled water companies to remove fluoride and other impurities and this is listed on the bottle tag. If fluoride is show, the amount will be listed. Choose brands that clearly indicate a fluoride content of 0.2 ppm (parts per million) or less.
Here’s a sampling of bottled water brands that are fluoride-free: Apani Purifie, Aqua Panna, Arrowhead, Calistoga Spring, Crystal Geyser, Deer Park North, Deer Park South, Evian, Big Contain, Hinkley & Schmidt, Ice Mountain Keeper Springs, Loon Country Natural Spring, NARA International Himalayan Spring Ozarka, Penta, Perrier, Poland Spring Snow Valley Mountain and Sparkletts.
Other Steps to Gash Fluoride
For adults wanting to decrease fluoride levels in the body, avoid drinking black or red teas as these tea leaves naturally contain high amounts of fluorine. Avoid using chewing tobacco. Avoid long term employ of medications that believe fluorine. Some antidepressants and medications for osteoporosis contain fluorine.
Non-Fluoridated Toothpastes
If dental fluorosis with children’s teeth is happening in your community, there are other ways to decrease fluoride exposure in addition to water filtration. The easiest way is to avoid fluoride supplements and fluoride dental rinses, and switch to non-fluoridated toothpaste.
For small children, consider Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry toothpaste. Silly Strawberry is a natural fluoride free toothpaste for children with savory real fruit flavors to appeal to children’s taste. Another choice is Melaleuca brand Koala Pals Training Tooth Gel. This non-fluoride, sugar-free formula tastes like apples and includes baking soda. It’s sweetened with xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from fruit and berries that’s shown to not promote tooth decay.
There are a variety of adult non-fluoridated toothpastes available. Tom’s of Maine also has adult toothpastes that are fluoride free. I am currently using Jason’s Healthy Mouth tag of non-fluoridated toothpaste with cinnamon oil flavoring and tea tree oil. Some people use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to brush their teeth.
Summary
All of the suggestions in this article will reduce fluoride for everyone in your household.
What brand of fluoride water purifier do you prefer for your home? Which brands of non-fluoridated toothpastes do you like the best? Let me know in the comments share below!
Resources:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5890058/fluoridated_water_is_risky_for_your.html? cat=5
http://www.pure-earth.com/fluoride-water-filters.htm
http://www.filterwater.com/p-105-undersink-fluoride-filter-triple.aspx
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/removefluoride.htm
http://www.filterwater.com/s-4-fluoride-filters.aspx
http://www.bizrate.com/water-filters/water-filters-fluoride-removal/
http://www.blog.waterfilters.net/consumer-reports-water-filters-ratings/666
http://www.allwaterpurification.com/water-purifier-reviews.html
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/56/find-the-best-filter-for-your-tap-water.html
http://www.nofluoride.com/betternutrition_article.cfm
http://www.nextag.com/non-fluoride-toothpaste/sho
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Filed under Ge Whole House Water Filters by on Jan 30th, 2011. 
It is hard to call our own shots, especially when they don’t necessarily agree with the opinions of others. It is hard to march to a different drummer. The essence of doing this lies in taking responsibility for and managing our own feelings.
It is easy to establish off our feelings and our thoughts as having been caused by someone else. It is easy to be a victim of circumstance, but when we allow this to happen, it limits options. It is far better to plan circumstances as they are, derive them, and then deem what can be done about them. It is far better to simply address each hiss as it arises and always seek to take the next right step.
No matter how much we would like for our circumstances to be the fault or responsibility of someone else, it just isn’t proper. Every action is a choice, and if our choices and actions lead us to difficult places, it helps to remember that they have also led us to more choices and options. The road less traveled may seem an empty one, but it calm leads to somewhere. Our destination and what we do with it are entirely within our control.
This is not to say that we can always rise from humble beginnings to a mansion or some such. This kind of “success” is not open to everyone. But we can have success within our means. We can score joy in the pleasures that are available. We can collect satisfaction in the things we have. We can be choose happiness over sorrow. We can choose peace over stress.
Anything we do, anything we are trying to deal with is more difficult with stress riding on our backs. And it doesn’t have to be that draw. The degree to which we experience stress is entirely under our own control. The fact is, we can meet our challenges head on and end up with a headache, or we can choose to step back, take some breaths, count to ten, and meet our challenges face to face. We can allow ourselves to do whatever it takes to be able to see all sides of an issue and make positive, proactive choices that truly take everything into account.
Sometimes it is impossible to catch a calm and centered approach to problems and because we simply do not take good enough care of ourselves. The draw to ensure that we are always able to meet our challenges face to face rather than head to head is to be sure that we are in optimum condition. If we make taking care of ourselves a top priority, everything else will plunge into place. In society today, it seems that people feel guilty for truly caring for themselves. The result is, exhausted, ill people dragging themselves around trying to deal with one stress after another and usually just compounding problem upon problem. There are simple ways to care for ourselves. If we form them a priority, and make ourselves #1, those around us will be happy we did in the long run.
We don’t have to meet our stresses with our eyeballs propped commence with toothpicks. People these days seem to think there is something sinister with sleeping enough. The rule has always been that human beings need at least 8 hours of sleep a night to truly function well and keep the immune system strong and healthy. Be clear to go to bed early enough to get at least 7 uninterrupted restful hours of sleep. If at all possible, take a diminutive nap during the afternoon. It is surprising how refreshing a ten or fifteen minute rest can be.
Eat well. Don’t fill up on junk food and processed food and quickly food. We must maintain our diet simple and wholesome with lean meats, whole grains, and recent fruits and vegetables. It is possible to eat lots of these things and stay healthy and slim by having one serving of protein and grain at each meal and filling our plates with fresh veggies and fruit. If we eat this way the majority of the time, we can happily allow ourselves treats on special occasions without a lot of stress over calorie counting, carbohydrates counting, or any other foolishness. Just eat good, wholesome food and plenty of it on a regular basis, and our bodies will be very forgiving of the times we enjoy special occasions. What’s more, as our bodies becomes more and more accustomed to eating healthy, wholesome food, these foods will become preferred. We will not have to force ourselves to eat well, and when we devour something that is outside of our usual daily fare, our bodies will be highly likely to self-limit by only wanting small portions of rich foods.
It is critical to stay hydrated. Remember that high school health book? It always told us to drink eight big glasses of water every day, and it was fair. Make sure that this is pure water that has been keep through a filtration system like Brita or Pur. These excellent systems will net rid of most of the chemicals and inferior metals in the water without breaking costing a fortune or filling the landfill with plastic bottles.
Water is absolutely principal for health. If we stay hydrated all of our body systems will work better. We will feel less hungry and assume more clearly. People who are prone to aches and pains will not feel them as often or at all by staying well hydrated. In fact, drinking enough water is an effective treatment for arthritis pain. Drinking plenty of pure water is a simple way we can boost our effectiveness and lower our stress throughout the day.
Be sure to engage in moderate exercise of some kind every single day. Take a brisk walk or bike ride, use a stationary bike, do a 15 minute stretching video. Whatever it is, just be sure to stretch and move for at least 15 to 20 minutes every day. This exercise regimen will not have us looking like body builders, but it will help boost the immune system and help us relax and feel more ready to face the challenges of every day life.
Steal some time every day to meditate, pray, or at least prefer a few minutes to think quietly. These few moments will assist with handling life more effectively. They can give us some time to put things into perspective and see solutions that may have been lurking in the background afraid to come out during the hustle and bustle of daily life. By taking just a few minutes a day to let our minds reorganize, we will be adding effectiveness and efficiency to our every day performance both at work and in our personal lives.
As we are sleeping, walking, thinking, and dealing with day to day challenges, it is important to remember to breathe. People tend to breathe shallowly, especially when under stress, but this is really the worst thing we could do. Our brains need oxygen to function properly and so does the rest of the body. We must be sure to breathe deeply into the bottom of our lungs, letting our stomachs relax. A breath in should last for a slow count of five. A breath out should last for a slow count of four. Be mindful of breathing. Nourish the body and mind with oxygen, and they will perform better.
Add beauty to life just like breath. Add a beautiful music CD to nap time. Keep a beautiful, tranquil Siamese Fighting Fish in a place that is easy to see. Take a daily walk during a lovely time of day to enjoy a certain quality of light, birds returning to the trees for the evening, or the early evening scents of dinner being prepared. Whatever activity is chosen, let’s try to do it the most pleasant way possible to enhance the enjoyment of the moment.
If there are issues in life that we simply cannot change or do anything about, we must let go of them. Sometimes this means little things, like accepting that the fact that the %$#@&* train is just going to blast the holy bejesus out of the house every single time it goes past no matter what hour of the day or night! Or it can mean big things like losing a relationship because the other person has simply changed their mind, or losing a friend or loved one to death. Whatever it is, we must shake our fists at it or mourn it appropriately, then let it go and move on. If we can’t change it, we mustn’t worry about it. If there is nothing to do, don’t do anything.
Above all, we must be kind to ourselves, whatever we do. We must treat ourselves well. We have to spend a lot of time with ourselves. We start out alone, and we end up alone. You are the most important person in your life. And I am the most important person in mine. By taking care of ourselves, we can be more fully present for each other.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Aug 28th, 2010.