July 2, 2021
(updated March 23, 2023)
What’s Inside: Filtering toxins out of your water supply is key for general health, and especially thyroid health. Fluoride is one major chemical compound that can harm the thyroid, which in turn throws off major functions of the body. Surprisingly, many popular water filters *do not* filter fluoride among other contaminants. I’ll share the best fluoride water filter to keep your thyroid healthy.
Stay hydrated they say, it’ll be healthy, they say! True! Staying hydrated is a major tenant to your overall health and wellbeing. Every single cell in our body depends on hydration… detoxification, digestion, hormones, and more are all affected.
But what if you’re drinking water that’s harming your body?
Not to sound like an alarmist newscaster or anything… but that’s a real thing! And more common than we realize.
In today’s day and age, we are bombarded with toxins. Wherever we can minimize toxin exposure, we ought to know our options and have a plan. And I always say to start with what you use or consume the most when it comes to replacing products and protecting yourself so it’s not completely overwhelming and super expensive.
Since you need water to survive, you drink it all day, use it in cooking, brush your teeth, shower and bathe… so on and so forth (see where I’m going with this)…
Filtered water should probably be a top priority for your health.
Looking to jazz up your water and increase hydration? Don’t miss my 3 favorite spa water recipes here!
Fluoride is a chemical compound added to 75% of tap water supplies in the U.S. with the goal of promoting dental health. However, fluoride has been shown to do more damage to general health compared to its proclaimed benefits for dental health. In fact, water fluoridation may actually have no impact on dental health at all, so perhaps it’s all been in vain.
The chemical contaminants widely referred to as ”fluoride” include fluoride, sodium fluoride, and hydrofluorosilicic acid. None of these are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means fluoridation chemicals have not undergone testing like medicines do because fluoride is considered a tap water ”additive” and not a medication.
This classification was issued and still stands despite the fact that it is backwards—fluoride is added to drinking water to treat cavities and tooth decay in people, not to treat the water.
So instead of educating people about reducing cavities naturally, like oh, I don’t know… by limiting processed foods and sugar, while maintaining proper oral health practices, let’s say… this chemical compound has been shoved on us. It’s supposed to somehow “fix” the issue, but it just seems to be breaking things instead, and is being left unchecked and unregulated.
Most of the fluoridation chemicals used are by-products of chemical manufacturing processes, specifically those from the phosphate fertilizer industry. This ”industrial grade” is allowable under law and is far from the pharmaceutical grade required for medications.
None of the chemicals used to fluoridate water are natural nutrients, which means the body does not need fluoride in any form—period.
The addition of fluoride to 75% of U.S. tap water supplies is concerning, considering fluoride-containing toothpastes and mouthwashes have warning labels to contact poison control if even a pea-sized amount is swallowed.
That’s because fluoride is most effective when applied topically, meaning to the surface of teeth, and harmful when consumed.
Ingesting excess fluoride is associated with:
Many parts of the world recognize the dangers of fluoride, including Europe where many countries have banned it from drinking water.
Read those labels! Fluoride can also be found in bottled beverages, processed non-organic teas, conventional toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other dental hygiene products, chewing tobacco, supplements, and medications (you can read a full report of fluorinated pharmaceuticals here).
As our master gland and endocrine system player… the thyroid is very susceptible to toxin exposure. On your general healing journey or Hashimoto’s/thyroid healing journey, give this serious consideration.
As if all the issues listed above aren’t frightening enough (who wants bone disease?!)… what’s interesting to note is that dental fluorosis is a result of thyroid function where teeth become more porous and susceptible to breaking, wearing down and decay.
Fluoride has also been proven to act as a trigger in inducing thyroid cell death, as well as lead to thyroid inflammation and Hashimoto’s.
Another key issue, as it goes with many toxins in our body, it can be mistaken for something else in the body since it’s not something we even need. For the case of our thyroid, fluoride can be mistaken for iodine. And, iodine is a key “ingredient” to providing adequate thyroid hormones, as well as an essential mineral for the entire body… so if fluoride is masquerading as this great essential mineral… the body will soak it up, further leading to toxicity in the body (and majorly, with the thyroid gland itself).
One of the biggest ways is to filter your water properly. Sadly, many mainstream and popular water filtration systems out there don’t filter fluoride or other toxins and chemicals that are also harmful to your thyroid and general health.
Early on in my Hashimoto’s journey, I remember feeling overwhelmed amidst changing my diet, lifestyle, and more… I’d also have to now be paranoid about the very water I drink or use in my shower!
I was starting to feel the pain in my wallet, too. But luckily I did some digging and found the water filter I still use today that my whole family is obsessed with. It’s affordable, effective, and easy. So now it’s one less worry I have!
There are some good, hard core filters out there… but ultimately here’s why I exclusively have used Clearly Filtered for several years now. And, you can use the code FOODBYMARS15 for a discount.
Remove up to 99.99% of 270+ tap water contaminants easily and effectively. Use code FOODBYMARS15 for 15% off.
It not only removes fluoride, but up to 99.99% of over 270 tap water contaminants including:
… while maintaining healthy minerals and nutrients
Their customer service and support is also incredibly helpful and accommodating!
I’ve used them all except the refrigerator filter and highly recommend it.
If you’re just getting started, I’d recommend getting a pitcher and shower head filter (yes, the water absorbed in your skin matters just as much).
As mentioned above, dental products are another common source of fluoride. So it’s best to take a look at that next and swap out your toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. for something better.
You can refer to EWG.ORG when shopping or try a brand I absolutely love and use (my toddler uses it, too), called RiseWell (use FOODBYMARS code for a discount). There’s no fluoride and it’s squeaky clean (and delicious).
Don’t forget to read labels and be an educated consumer. Supplements, medications, and more can have fluoride as well.
By filtering your water, you’ll be getting the most bang for your buck to start (not to mention, you’ll be clearing yourself of all the other nasty toxins like chlorine, Glyphosate, lead, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals…)
More good reads for your water filter research:
Resources:
Remove up to 99.99% of 270+ tap water contaminants easily and effectively. Use code FOODBYMARS15 for 15% off.
Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that makes up 97% of our tooth enamel and has been scientifically proven to strengthen and protect your teeth without fluoride. Use code FOODBYMARS for 10% off.
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14 comments
This was such an interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks so much! My pleasure.
Oh how interesting, I had no idea that fluoride was particularly bad for thyroid, though I know I’d rather not drink it. I need to get back into filtering my water again.
This was really interesting, to read the benefits of filtering water.
This is a very inspiring post. I will have to see how this is here in Australia as we are all on Tapwater. The reading list is very exhaustive and helpful here.
Love how informative and educational this article is. Thanks for sharing!
Very informative. I didn’t know much about the dangers of fluoride. I’ll certainly be revisiting my water filter. Thanks for sharing.
So glad it was helpful for you!
That is really great to know! Thank you so much for sharing this!
My pleasure!
You provided so much helpful information in this article. I learned so much.
Great information! This will be very helpful.
This isn’t an issue here in the UK, but it was interesting to learn about it.
Ah yes! Maybe just when you visit the U.S. then 😉