As our awareness and understanding of the potential health risks associated with fluoride exposure increases, exploring natural remedies for fluoride poisoning becomes crucial. Before we delve into these remedies, let's first understand what fluoride poisoning is, its symptoms, and how it may manifest itself, especially in skin conditions resulting from fluoride overload.
Fluoride poisoning, or fluorosis, is a condition that develops due to prolonged exposure to or ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride. This can come from various sources, including certain types of processed foods, fluoridated water, and dental products.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound found in varying amounts in freshwater sources, ranging from 0.01-0.3 parts per million. In some regions, this concentration may fall anywhere between 0.5mg/L to 50mg/L. Despite its natural occurrence, fluoride is also added to public water systems as a measure to counter tooth decay. This addition does not impact the water's taste, appearance, or smell.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a fluoride concentration in water of 0.5 to 1.0mg/L. However, the practice of fluoridating water is a matter of controversy. While fluoride, within certain limits, plays a beneficial role in preventing tooth decay, it can also be toxic to the body. The estimated lethal dose of fluoride toxicity is around 5 to 10 grams, but even lower doses (0.2mg/kg body weight) can cause gastrointestinal discomfort when ingested.
Despite the beneficial relationship between fluoride and dental health, research suggests that fluoride exposure might be associated with various health concerns. Prolonged exposure to fluoride, especially in children and adults, can lead to tooth discoloration. Additionally, fluoride buildup in the body over time has been linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain.
More alarmingly, fluoride has been connected to a range of health conditions, including eczema and celiac disease. There are also concerns about its potential effects on thyroid function, given the role of fluoride in the production and regulation of thyroid hormones.
Given these potential risks, monitoring and managing the fluoride levels in our water and food supply becomes essential, ensuring we reap its benefits for dental health while mitigating its possible adverse effects.
Fluoride poisoning can manifest in several ways, depending on the severity and duration of exposure. Here is a list of symptoms to watch out for:
While filtering tap water is an excellent measure to reduce exposure to numerous contaminants, it's important to note that not all water filters are created equal. This is particularly true when it comes to fluoride removal.
Brita water filters are one of the most popular on the market, widely recognized for their efficiency in removing several contaminants like chlorine, copper, cadmium, and mercury. However, one of the major limitations of these filters lies in their inability to filter out fluoride effectively.
Brita filters, like many other activated carbon filters, work through a process called adsorption. Here, contaminants in the water are attracted to and stick to the surface of the activated carbon. Unfortunately, this process is ineffective at removing fluoride, as the carbon does not readily adsorb the fluoride ions.
While many water filters can significantly improve the taste and odor of tap water by removing chlorine and other chemicals, they are not designed to tackle fluoride. According to Brita's own website, their filters "do not remove fluoride".
If removing fluoride is a concern, specialized water filters are available, which can effectively reduce fluoride levels. These include:
These filters force water under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane, which removes a significant portion of fluoride along with other contaminants.
Deionizers use ion-exchange resins to remove mineral ions like fluoride from water.
Activated alumina is a form of aluminum oxide with a high surface-area-to-weight ratio and many tunnel-like pores. When water passes over it, fluoride ions are adsorbed to the surface of the alumina.
Remember, while selecting a water filter, it's important to consider what specific contaminants you wish to remove and choose a product designed to tackle those specifically. For fluoride, this may mean bypassing popular brands like Brita in favor of a specialized fluoride-removing filter.
Once a case of fluoride poisoning is identified, it can be treated naturally through various means. Let's start with the Borax protocol.
Borax, also known as sodium borate, has shown potential in mitigating fluoride poisoning. It aids in removing fluoride from the body by interacting with it to form a compound that the body can easily excrete. The usual dose is 1/4 teaspoon for men or 1/8 teaspoon for women of Borax dissolved in one liter of water, consumed over a day. 5 days on and 2 days off.
Tamarind has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and has been found effective in increasing fluoride excretion. Tamarind can be consumed as a tea or included in your regular diet to reap its detoxifying benefits.
Selenium, a trace mineral, can counteract the effects of fluoride toxicity. Foods rich in selenium such as Brazil nuts, yellowfin tuna, halibut, sardines, and chicken can be included in your diet.
This antioxidant is excellent in combating the harmful effects of fluoride. It aids in flushing out toxins and mitigates the oxidative stress caused by fluoride.
Magnesium binds with fluoride to create a nearly insoluble mineral by-product, making it harder for the body to absorb fluoride. Foods high in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Like magnesium, calcium can also bind with fluoride, reducing absorption and promoting excretion. Incorporate more calcium-rich foods like dairy products, tofu, and leafy greens into your diet.
Certain foods, like milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric, support liver function and help remove toxins like fluoride from the body.
Iodine helps to increase the production of thyroid hormones, which in turn helps to reduce the effects of fluoride on the thyroid.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been found to protect against fluoride-induced neurotoxicity.
Remember, while these natural remedies can help, it is critical to avoid further fluoride exposure by filtering your water, using fluoride-free dental products, and eating a clean diet devoid of processed foods.
Below you can find a number of user submitted remedies to remove fluoride from your body. Our readers' most popular remedy is borax, and some other treatments include apple cider vinegar, sea salt, tamarind, and wheat grass. There are many ongoing discussions here over fluoride theories, how to test fluoride levels, and the consequences of long term exposure to fluoride. Let us know what you try to detox fluoride from your system, and how well it worked for you. If you have experience with a detox method or cure for fluoride poisoning not listed here, please share your story with us.
Please make sure to read Jason A. Uttley's two (2) articles on Fluoride Poisoning
Chronic Fluoride Poisoning Q&A
The Cause of Fibromyalgia
Plus this collection of Natural Fibromyalgia Remedies
