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Fluorides primary function and benefit is to incorporate itself into the calcium phosphate matrix of our bones and teeth and replace a hydroxyl ion (OH-) in hydroxyapatite to form the stronger, more acid-resistant fluorapatite. Only when sufficient calcium and fluoride in their harmonic balance are present, we get the benefits of fluoride to improve, rebuild, and heal our bone and teeth enamel.
Fluoride is meant by nature to interact with the minerals in water to unfold its positive effects. Removing those minerals, but leaving fluoride creates the problem.
Another problem is that the fluoride in tap water comes in a synthetically manufactured compounds which are strongly soluble and rapidly release the fluoride:
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Hydrofluosilicic acid (90% of US tap water uses this compound): Dissociates into H⁺ and SiF₆²⁻, followed by hydrolysis: H₂SiF₆ + 4H₂O → 6HF + Si(OH)₄. HF then ionizes to F⁻, completing in seconds to minutes at neutral pH. This can slightly acidify water, requiring buffering, which tap water does not provide.
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Sodium fluorosilicate: Dissolves to Na⁺ and SiF₆²⁻, hydrolyzing similarly to release F⁻ and silica.
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Sodium fluoride: Simply dissociates: NaF → Na⁺ + F⁻, with minor hydrolysis making solutions slightly basic.
Natural Fluoride interactions do not have this rapid fluoride release. Calcium fluoride (CaF₂) is sparingly soluble (Ksp ≈ 3.9 × 10⁻¹¹), dissolving slowly: CaF₂ ⇌ Ca²⁺ + 2F⁻. Equilibrium limits F⁻ release, often taking weeks in static conditions, and is enhanced by acidic environments or chelators. No hydrolysis occurs; it's a simple ionic equilibrium, and co-existing Ca²⁺ reduces bioavailability by reforming CaF₂ if saturated. beautifully calibrated by nature in the system water.
Water has a natural, self-regulating aspect and forms CaF₂ when sufficiently saturated with fluoride, only if sufficient calcium if available.
Lets take a look how fluoride gets into one of the healthiest water sources on earth.
Composition and Fluoride Levels in Hunza Water
Hunza water is naturally alkaline (pH ~8–9), low in surface tension, and rich in colloidal minerals like silica, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and trace elements from glacial rock dissolution. It's often described as containing "negatively charged hydrogen ions" (hydrides) or microclustered structures, which enhances hydration, antioxidant effects, and cellular health. These properties are tied to the water's glacial origin, where it flows over mineral-rich bedrock, picking up electrolytes and reducing agents. Fluoride is present naturally in Hunza water, but at low, trace levels (typically <0.5 mg/L, similar to many groundwater sources worldwide).
Here we have a great example of one of the healthiest naturally occurring water sources containing fluoride. Its unique glacial filtration and mineral profile make it physiologically distinct.
We often hear marketing stories about volcanic waters and a its health benefits. Most volcanic waters contain excessive amounts of fluoride. Some groundwater sources (e.g., India, East Africa) contain>10 mg/L fluoride from volcanic minerals, causing endemic fluorosis. This is an example where natural water can be health damaging. Companies such as Fiji etc. claiming to use unprocessed volcanic water would probably exceed the legally allowed fluoride levels by a large margin, which is one key indicator that their stories are not based on truth and the water goes through several processing stages. Naturally occurring water does not have the exact mineral profile for each bottle, nor does it have a remotely similar mineral profile of what the Fiji product indicates.
We can summarize that fluoride has beneficial aspects to our health and can interact with certain minerals to exhibit those beneficial aspects. Lets take a look at each mineral and see how fluoride interact with it.
Calcium (Ca²⁺):
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Mechanism: Forms insoluble complexes with fluoride (e.g., CaF₂, aka fluorite), reducing free fluoride ions in water.
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Effect: Slows fluoride absorption in the gut by 20–50%, lowering its bioavailability.
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Example: Hard water (high in calcium) reduces fluoride toxicity risk naturally even at moderately high fluoride levels (e.g., 1.5 mg/L).
Magnesium (Mg²⁺):
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Mechanism: Competes with fluoride for absorption in the intestines and binds it into less soluble compounds (e.g., MgF₂).
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Effect: High magnesium intake may reduce fluoride absorption by 15–30%, but very high doses can enhance fluoride’s toxicity in bones.
Silica (SiO₂):
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Mechanism: Forms colloidal complexes with fluoride (e.g., Si–F bonds), potentially altering its reactivity.
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Effect: May reduce fluoride’s direct contact with cells, slowing absorption. Hunza water’s high silica content (≈15 mg/L) is theorized to contribute to its "smoother" biological effects.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) & pH:
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Mechanism: Alkaline water (pH 8–9) converts fluoride ions (F⁻) to HF₂⁻ (hydrogen difluoride), which is more easily absorbed.
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Effect: Bicarbonate can buffer pH, indirectly influencing fluoride speciation and absorption speed.
This explains why natural springs like Hunza (with rich mineral profiles) are less likely to cause fluorosisat low-to-moderate fluoride levels, while artificially fluoridated tap water—though safe at regulated doses—lacks these buffering minerals entirely, what makes it not safe actually. This becomes even more amplified with the advent of today's soft water filters and RO filters, which remove all beneficial minerals and trace minerals, but are mostly unable to remove flouride.
In that sense, Dr. Urso was right, but without the proper context. Fluoride does have beneficial effects, if it is balanced with the correct mineral profile. There is a reason why during a fast our body dramatically increases the rate of fluoride absorption to near 100%, from about 60% when taken with food. All teas have fluoride. Baked potatoes contain fluoride, even carrots have small trace amounts of fluoride. In fact, most vegetables have fluoride.
I hope this helped to eliminate the barrage of fluoride opinions.
Warm regards,
-Simon
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https://pythonbionic.com
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