estimated 75 - 90 percent of ingested fluoride is absorbed by the alimentary tract (NRC 1993). Fluoride in drinking-water accounts for about half of the total intake in young children and half the total intake in adults (NHMRC 1991). The rest of the intake is from dietary sources, especially from tea, which contains fluoride in the range of 1 - 3 ppm (Murray et al 1991). Some heavy tea drinkers may even have intakes of 8 - 10 mg/day (refer to Water Fluoridation In New Zealand).

Fluoridated water protects against cavities and root caries ? a progressive erosion of adult root surfaces caused by gum recession ? and helps remineralize early carious lesions. Thanks to these preventive benefits, public water fluoridation is considered the most efficient and cost-effective cavity prevention measure available. More than 144 million United States residents in more than 10,000 communities drink fluoridated water, most from public water supplies with artificially added fluoride.

Everyone has different water intake requirements. The rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces daily. For example, if you weight 100 lbs, convention would suggest you drink at least 50oz (one 1.5 liter) daily. Your level of activity, environment, diet and stress levels should be taken into consideration, as all of these determine your water intake requirement.

Answer: We recommend at least 2 ounces per day. At that level, you'll be getting the antioxidant equivalent of 7.5 mixed servings of fruits and vegetables which is 50% more than the 5 servings recommended by the USDA for general health maintenance. However, when sick, drinking more than 2 ounces may help lessen the severity of symptoms and shorten their duration.

It is impossible to avoid getting fluorides in America because they are in most every food and drink, at even higher levels than recommended by the government. Almost everyone is saturated with fluoride so avoiding all the exposures you can is a good idea. (See LINKS for more information.)

It is very important that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of filtered (purified) water daily while taking our Oral Chelation / Age-Less Formula. Keeping your body hydrated will help you eliminate these toxins more efficiently and will prevent toxic buildup a condition that can contribute to the experience of negative side effects.

NO. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), children under 1 year of age should not receive infant formula made with fluoridated water. Babies exposed to fluoridated water are at high risk of developing dental fluorosis - a tooth defect caused by fluoride-induced cell damage within the teeth. Other harm is also likely. According, for example, to the US National Research Council, “it is apparent that fluorides can interfere with the functions of the brain.

To find out if your water is fluoridated, contact your water utility. Your local DEP district office may have a list of utilities that fluoridate as well. If you are on a public water supply, your water supplier must make the decision to fluoridate. Municipalities may have a referendum vote on this. If the decision is made to fluoridate, the utility must get the required DEP permit(s) to install fluoridation equipment.

The question depends on several things: your health, your age, what you eat, and whether you are a man or a woman. As a general rule of thumb, a person should drink 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day as part of a healthy diet. Drinks containing caffeine or alcohol can cause the body to lose water, and you may need to drink more water if you live in a hot climate or if you exercise routinely.

FreeLife recommends 2 ounces twice daily. There are no known side effects from drinking more than that (other than smiling too much!). Diabetics and patients on blood thinners should begin with a lower dose and be supervised by their doctor.

NO. Most recent, large-scale studies have found that fluoridated water provides only a minor benefit to teeth, or no demonstrable benefit at all. According to a recent Canadian government review: "The magnitude of fluoridation's effect is not large in absolute terms, is often not statistically significant and may not be of clinical significance." Moreover, according to the National Academy of Sciences, fluoride is not an essential nutrient.

Recent studies in the peer-reviewed medical literature indicate that fluoridated water can have detrimental side effects. Health risks associated with low-to-moderate doses of fluoride include: dental fluorosis; bone fracture; bone cancer; joint pain; skin rash, reduced thyroid activity; and IQ deficits.

NO. Recent research has found that fluoridated water can contribute to the development of painful bone disorders in people with advanced kidney disease.

There is anecdotal evidence indicating that some people may experience adverse skin reactions from showering in fluoridated water. However, there is very little information in the published scientific literature to document this concern. There is also very little published research documenting if, and to what extent, fluoridated water may pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream. The tests that would be needed to determine this would be simple to do.

Water taken from lakes, rivers, streams and ponds may look clean and have no undesirable odor or taste. Unfortunately, however, pathogens found in water not only are harmful, but also are invisible to the naked eye and may be odorless and tasteless. These bacteria, viruses and protozoa can cause mild nausea and fever or can develop into more serious illnesses, such as severe diarrhea, hepatitis or typhoid fever.

Fluoridation of drinking water is still the most economical means of getting the proven protection that fluoride gives to teeth. Where fluoride has been added to municipal water supplies, there has been a marked decline in tooth decay rates. Children need fluoride protection while their teeth are developing. Adults also need it since the possibility of root cavities (tooth decay in the roots of the teeth) increases as they get older.

Some people only drink 4 ounces once or twice daily others are drinking 30 ounces or more per day without any ill effects.

In February 2004, the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board issued new recommendations for water consumption. Instead of the previous 8 glasses per day, or approximately 2 Liters per day, the institute now recommends that healthy individuals consume Water is an essential nutrient needed for daily body functions.38 Every system in our body depends on water.