(Natural News) Back in the 1930s, scientists decided that adding fluoride to drinking water would protect teeth from decay. Bacteria in the mouth produces acid when sugary foods are eaten, and this acid, in turn, damages the surface of the teeth, weakening them and increasing the risk of cavities. These scientists believed that fluoride could help to rebuild and strengthen the teeth, and that providing "frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride" via drinking water would, therefore, be a good idea.

Setting aside the fact that there is very little evidence to back up their theory, this "frequent and consistent contact" with fluoride has other, negative side effects for the human body. Fluoride is more toxic than lead and only slightly less toxic than arsenic. Overdosing on it could cause serious poisoning, and in big enough doses, even lead to death. It is not an acute overdose that natural healthcare practitioners are concerned about, however, but long-term, chronic exposure to fluoride. As noted by Green Med Info, this type of exposure can cause the pineal gland to calcify, hardens the arteries, and can increase risk of hypothyroidism, among other things.

There is good news though: Although it's almost impossible to totally prevent fluoride consumption, it is possible to detoxify and remove it from the body. Here's how.

Iodine is the answer

Unfortunately, avoiding fluoride, even if you have a really good water filter like the Big Berkey which can absorb unwanted elements like fluoride and arsenic, is virtually impossible. Fluoride is pervasive in our environment, often without us realizing it. For example, it is present in the antidepressant drug Prozac; you soak it in when you swim in a swimming pool or hot tub; it contaminates commercially baked bakery products; fresh, conventionally grown produce like lettuce is soaked in it; and it's present in any product made with water, including beer, iced tea, wine and baby formula. And the list goes on.