What Are Your Fluoride Water Filter Options?

Fluoride was first introduced into public water supplies back in the 1940’s after a study of children living in an area that had naturally high levels of fluoride in the water. These kids had an unusually low incidence of cavities.

Fluoride is not a nutrient the human body needs, and the fluoride put in your water is actually a waste product taken from the smoke stacks of fertilizer plants and is a toxin. In the 70’s, it was discovered that as little as 1 ppm concentration of fluoride can interfere with DNA enzymes the body uses for repair by 50 percent. When your DNA isn’t able to repair your damaged cells, you will age much more quickly.

Fluoride also causes mineralization of tendons, ligaments and muscles causing pain and lack of flexibility. Oddly enough, it works in reverse on your bones and teeth by inhibiting their mineralization thus contributing to osteoporosis and teeth becoming mottled.

Clearly installing a fluoride water filter is a good idea and can provide a host of health benefits. The questions to ask are which one and how much is it going to cost. There are three types of water filtration that will remove fluoride from your water: Distillation, Activated Alumina and Reverse Osmosis.

Distiller Water
Water distillation is a process where you boil your water, capture the steam and then condense it into a container. This process removes the vast majority of the solid contaminants including fluoride, lead, chlorine, volatile organic compounds and just about all other contaminants. Home water distillers can be purchased starting at $100 but their out put is low at about 1 gallon per .5.5 hours. Water distillers that produce 1 gallon per 3.5 hours run about $200. Self filling water distillers start around $500. Water distillers should have a charcoal or carbon filter incorporated into their filtration system.

There are differing views as to whether or not distilled water is the best method to remove fluoride. Many believe the minerals found in water naturally should not be removed for optimum health benefits. Others feel that the quantity of the trace minerals found in water is so small that it really doesn’t matter and it’s better to err on the side of caution. Both views have their merits.

There is also the issue of water distillers requiring additional energy to operate and the need for maintenance and cleaning more often than pressure operated filters. If you need the benefit of water stripped of fluoride, all minerals, metals and organic compounds, then distiller water is the choice for you.

Activated Alumina
Of the three types of products that are referred to as a fluoride water filter, activated alumina is the only medium that is a true filter. Basically the manufacture takes aluminium hydroxide and produces aluminum oxide which is incredibly porous yet the holes are smaller than the fluoride, selenium, chromium, barium and other heavy metals, thus removing them from your drinking water as it passes through.

There are several fluoride water filters on the market that employ this medium. However, there are things to consider when choosing which activated alumina filter to use. One of the side effects of using this filter medium is that it leaves aluminum (another unwanted substance in drinking water) in the water even though it removes the fluoride.

To remove the aluminum leached from the fluoride filter you would need a second stage. So when using activated alumina you should always get at least a two stage water filter. The second stage will contain a form of activated carbon that can take care of the aluminum problem. Quality two stage fluoride filters can be ordered on line for as little as $190 and will not need filter replacement for about a year. You will have to install these yourself or hire a plumber.

A three stage fluoride filter usually has a ceramic filter added that can handle cysts and bacterium that may get past municipal water treatment plants. Although the carbon filter is good about getting these unwanted particulates, it is a good idea to get the three stage fluoride water filter if the added expense is not a burden for you. Three stage filtration averages about $300.

Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis (RO) is a process where water is forced through a membrane that removes particles larger than the holes in the membrane. An RO filter is considered the premier water treatment process for fluoride removal due to its balance of particulates removed, production capacity and cost of operation.

There are reverse osmosis countertop models that start at $200. It is fairly bulky but if you want the fluoride removed from your water and your plumbing skills are weak, this might be a good option for you.

Most people who go with the reverse osmosis for fluoride removal get an under sink system. You have the advantage of easily accessible clean water, but with out the visible clutter of a countertop model. Quality under sink models start around $200. However you have to install it your self or hire a plumber to do it for you. Still, this is a good value even if you have to hire someone and an excellent value for the do-it-yourself kind of person.

Fluoride is a toxic substance that you do not need to be ingesting with every sip of water. Install a fluoride water filter and start drinking yourself to better health.