How To Avoid Fluoride

Most people are aware that there is a controversy surrounding public fluoridation of drinking water. Here is a list of ways to obtain drinking water without fluoride. In addition, I've listed water purification methods which do not remove fluoride from water.

Ways to Remove Fluoride from Water

• Reverse Osmosis Filtration
  This is used to purify several types of bottled water (not all), so some bottled waters are unfluoridated. Reverse osmosis systems are generally unaffordable for personal use.

• Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter
  These filters are used in locales where fluorosis is prevalent. They are relatively expensive (lowest price I saw was $30/filter) and require frequent replacement, but do offer an option for home water filtration.

• Distillation Filtration
  There are commercially available distillation filters that can be purchased to remove fluoride from water. On a related note: When looking at bottled water, keep in mind that 'distilled water' does not imply that a product is suitable for drinking water and other undesirable impurities may be present.

These Do NOT Remove Fluoride

• Brita, Pur, and most other filters.
  Some websites about fluoride removal state otherwise, but I checked the product descriptions on the companies' websites to confirm that fluoride is left in the water.

• Boiling Water
  This will concentrate the fluoride rather than reduce it.

• Freezing Water
  Freezing water does not affect the concentration of fluoride.

Steps to Reduce Fluoride Exposure

• Don't take fluoride supplements.

• Read labels on bottled beverages.
  Unless they are made using distilled or reverse-osmosis water, they are probably made with fluoridated public water.

• Consider using unfluoridated toothpaste.

• Avoid drinking black or red tea.
  They come from two different types of plants, but both leaves naturally contain high amounts of fluorine.

• Be wary of tinned fish and canned food items.
  Fluoride may be used as a preservative.

• Avoid black or red rock salt or items containing black or red rock salt.

• Avoid using chewing tobacco.

• Avoid long term use of medication that contains fluorine.
  Certain antidepressants and medications for osteoporosis contain fluorine.

-Source Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.