Lower Levels of that Good Ole' Fluoride

Today is a good day, a day when the United States government takes a small step in the right direction in admitting, well partially admitting, their faults. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, The Environmental Protection Agency, and publicly supported by the American Dental Association, fluoride levels are a little too high in our water. Fluoride has been put into our water since 1945, forcing about 73% of Americans to regularly consume fluoride when they drink their water. Currently, the recommended levels of fluoride in our public water system are between 0.7 and 1.2 ppm, although many studies have shown that most cities are fluoridated at 1.2 and higher, all the way to 4 ppm. Now the government is recommending we lower that to the bottom end, and put 0.7 ppm as the maximum parts per million.The Department of Health and Human Services has conducted studies showing that too much fluoride causes children's teeth to be weak, brittle, and/or discolored. It also causes bones to be brittle in adults, a gift that is already magnanimous to people over 50. It took them about 60 years to come to this conclusion, not exactly news that makes you want to continue to blindly trust the government. See the CNN article here.

I personally avoid fluoride at all costs, but why (other than the obvious, just in news)? 

• Well, first and foremost, fluoride is not the only way to prevent cavities. Compounds in Alvera are said to prevent tooth decay just as well as fluoride. I make my own mouthwash using this recipe and absolutely love this toothpaste. Both are non fluoridated. My teeth are white, and cavity free.
• Fluoride was used as the key chemical in the production of the atomic bomb. (don't just take my word for it!) 
• Not that I plan on having kids of my own, but fluoride is also linked to birth defects. Chile even banned fluoridation because of research by the world-renowned researcher, Dr Albert Schatz, which showed a link to infant deaths due to fluoridation (as seen here).
• See the full list of places where fluoride is banned here.
•  It is bad for the environment for obvious reasons, dumping it causes a whole slew of harm. 
• Fluoride is a bi-product of aluminum. Studies show that the brain absorbs more aluminum when people consume fluoride, which is one of the main symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. 
• Lastly, and most importantly, IT IS UNETHICAL! Forced medication is unethical if given from a doctor, but from the government it is supposed to be okay? It is an unfair double standard. Just because they "say" it is good for my health, does not mean I should be forced to take it!

 You still have control over what goes into your body. Take small steps in eliminating fluoride from your life. Skip the fluoridated toothpaste and other fluoridated dental care since their are plenty of alternatives, and drink filtered water. A standard carbon filter does not remove fluoride, so the most effective way to eliminate it from your water is through reverse osmosis. Refer to this wonderful website on what filters to use. Remember, don't just take my word for it, search around, the world wide web is a wonderful place to do research, just always remember to not only look at the actual information, but also look at the source. You can find anything on here these days, even....well I could point out countless examples, but for fear of offending someone, I will let you find your own. =)

Wild Tigers Extinct?

According to the World Wildlife Fund, wild tigers are on the verge of mere existence. It has been determined that there are only about 3,200 tigers in the wild, worldwide today, which is less then the number held in captivity in the United States alone. So, why have the wild tiger numbers gone down drastically from 100,000 to the ghastly number is it today? The illegal trade, poaching field, and habitat loss are to blame directly, but the world turning their back to this issue seems to be the real perpetrator.

Without the tigers in our world, we are left with much less biodiversity, and thus meaning other species will die off or over produce. The whole ecosystem can be thrown off if one piece is missing. When was the last time you could drive your perfect new car with only 3 tires instead of four? Sure, maybe you could go a few feet on mere push, but soon the whole car falls apart and becomes useless, much like the world would without its biodiversity.

In some parts of the world tigers are worth more dead than alive. Their teeth are used as jewelry and currency, while their skins are used as clothes and home decor. In China, they believe that tiger bones can cure illnesses, much like we believe that McDonald's food is good for us.

It is time we step up, just as we did when the American symbol, the bald eagle, neared extinction, and create awareness and conservation. We can stop the elimination of these beautiful creatures, a symbol of not just the United States, but the world, a world where they live, without boundaries. Visit World Wildlife Tiger Adoption to see what you can do!