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You probably know that mercury, lead, and other heavy metals should not nice for the physique and may trigger a bunch of points. However whether or not or not fluoride is protected (or efficient) is extra controversial.
Is Fluoride Helpful?
Within the early a part of the 20th century, it was found that small communities who had greater ranges of naturally occurring fluoride of their consuming water had fewer dental caries (cavities). Naturally fluoridated water at about 1mg/L gave the impression to be helpful to dental well being. (Fluoride that’s naturally occurring is calcium fluoride.)
Sadly, the fluoride that’s typically added to water provides within the U.S. is hydrofluoric acid (an industrial by-product), not elemental fluorine or calcium fluoride. It’s well-known that naturally occurring substances (even heavy metals) are typically higher tolerated by the physique than artificial counterparts.
However as a result of early research confirmed few dental caries in communities utilizing fluoridated water, fluoridated water turned generally known as certainly one of 10 finest public well being achievements of the 20th century in keeping with the Middle for Illness Management (CDC).
Nevertheless, rates of dental caries have been going down for all western international locations, each utilizing fluoridation and never, suggesting that there is no such thing as a connection between fluoridated water and fewer cavities.
For instance, Sweden doesn’t fluoridate its water and has the identical quantity of dental caries as the USA. Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Arvid Carlsson argued in opposition to its use in Sweden by saying that topical use of fluoride may go for dental caries however consuming fluoride was not a good suggestion, particularly when you think about that the quantity any particular person consumes can fluctuate fairly a bit.
Although some earlier research confirmed that fluoride within the water provide will help cut back dental caries, a 2015 Cochrane evaluate discovered that the newest and complete proof exhibits that there’s merely not sufficient proof to help fluoridating water.
Although fluoride might assist stop cavities when used topically, there are different (higher) methods to enhance oral well being with out fluoride.
Sources of Fluoride
Fluoridated water is an apparent supply of fluoride however there are various others as properly. As a result of there are such a lot of sources of fluoride as we speak, it’s particularly regarding that water provides are “spiked” with fluoride. Listed here are a number of the main sources of fluoride:
- Packaged meals and drinks (made with fluoridated water)
- Pesticides
- Tea (the plant naturally absorbs fluoride; natural teas are high-quality)
- Teflon pans
- Mechanically separated meat (fragments of bone may be left behind)
- Trade (aluminum, fertilizer, iron, oil refining, semi-conductor, and metal industries)
- Fluorinated prescription drugs (the fluorine doesn’t often break down into fluoride, however might)
- Dental merchandise
After all, there are causes apart from fluoride to keep away from a number of the issues on this listing. For somebody who’s keen on pure well being (and avoiding a lot of these items already), avoiding fluoride isn’t all that tough.
How Fluoride Impacts the Thyroid
Although there’s some debate about whether or not fluoride is protected, the proof is fairly clear that it will probably have an effect on thyroid operate, and for anybody in danger to start with (many women are), fluoride is probably harmful. Contemplating thyroid illness impacts 20 million People (principally ladies), this is a crucial angle to contemplate.
Within the Thirties a product containing fluoride was used to deal with folks with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). The fluoride poisoned the enzymes within the thyroid gland and slowed down the manufacturing of thyroid hormones. This drug stopped getting used as a result of some folks’s thyroid glands had been completely broken from its use.
Research present that fluoride impacts the thyroid gland particularly. Research accomplished in India discovered that kids in communities with excessive fluoride consumption had a major lower in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). One other examine discovered that individuals with unfluoridated water had been much less prone to develop hypothyroidism.
Fluoride and Iodine
Fluoride can result in thyroid irritation and autoimmune thyroid illness (like Hashimoto’s). Fluoride can also be an endocrine disruptor. Dr. Izabella Wentz explains in this post the way it’s misidentified as iodine within the physique so it’s taken up into the physique and saved in physique tissues the way in which iodine ought to be.
One examine discovered that iodine ranges instantly affect how a lot hurt fluoride can do to the thyroid and should assist shield the thyroid from fluoride. Alternatively, many individuals who’ve thyroid illness like Hashimoto’s have low ranges of iodine however can’t tolerate supplemental iodine both. In these circumstances, fluoride is particularly problematic.
How Fluoride Impacts the Skeletal System
Fluoride can also be pretty clearly implicated in bone well being points. Although supporters of fluoride declare that it will probably assist enhance bone density, proof exhibits that the quantity of fluoride performs an important half in whether or not fluoride helps or hurts bone well being.
This study checked out totally different populations in China with various ranges of naturally occurring fluoride within the water starting from 0.25 mg/L to 7.97 mg/L (as a comparability, locations that add fluoride to water sometimes add to .7-1 mg/L). What the examine discovered was that fractures occurred much less when fluoride ranges had been at about 1 mg/L however extra after they had been on the bottom and highest components of the vary. Clearly, there’s a high-quality line between useful and dangerous right here.
Skeletal fluorosis is a critical bone illness which causes hardening and thickening of the bones which makes motion tough. It may be confused with plenty of different skeletal points together with arthritis. Skeletal fluorosis is brought on by extreme publicity to fluoride which may occur over time as fluoride can accumulate within the physique. The most recent research exhibits that early indicators of skeletal fluorosis can happen with as little as 6 mg of fluoride a day (a lot much less for these with kidney illness).
The Upside
Having good well being to start with, significantly regular ranges of nutritional vitamins and minerals, will help cut back the detrimental results of fluoride. One examine discovered that standard ranges of calcium helped stop fluoride-induced bone points in rats. One other discovered that adequate ranges of vitamin D could possibly be protecting. Moreover, one other examine discovered that magnesium-deficient rats absorbed extra fluoride than rats with regular magnesium ranges and in addition had extra fluoride of their bones and enamel.
What does this imply? That we will do one thing about fluoride publicity by doing a number of the identical issues which are good for well being total. Optimizing calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium ranges (here are some ideas on that) and consuming a nutrient-dense weight loss program is a superb first step.
Fluoride and the Mind
Fluoride is a confirmed neurotoxin and plenty of prestigious evaluations have dug into the analysis that’s accessible on the subject over time. A 2012 Harvard evaluate discovered that of the 27 research within the evaluate, 26 of them concluded that there’s a relationship between elevated fluoride and lowered IQ.
A 2014 Lancet evaluate paperwork fluoride as a neurotoxin that could possibly be dangerous to youngster improvement. The evaluate concludes, “The presumption that new chemical substances and applied sciences are protected till confirmed in any other case is a elementary downside.”
Newer analysis is discovering the identical neurotoxicity issues as earlier research. A 2017 examine discovered that fluoride publicity in utero was linked to poorer cognitive efficiency later in life.
Fluoride Impacts Different Elements of the Physique
Whereas the consequences of fluoride on the thyroid, skeletal system, and mind is pretty clear lower, the science is much less clear on how fluoride impacts different components of the physique. Listed here are another methods fluoride might trigger hurt:
- Most cancers – A connection between fluoride and most cancers is a hotly debated subject, most likely as a result of the analysis is inconclusive and at occasions complicated.
- Early sexual improvement – One researcher discovered that fluoride accumulates in excessive quantities within the pineal gland (that secretes hormones). A 1997 examine discovered that fluoride was related to sooner sexual improvement within the feminine gerbils within the examine.
- Male infertility – Some information counsel {that a} decline in male fertility could possibly be related to topical fluoride use. Animal research present concern however extra info is required.
So… Ought to I Be Anxious About Fluoride?
There are a lot of conflicting opinions on whether or not fluoride is protected and whether or not it’s one thing to fret about. (I do know, you hear me say issues like that rather a lot!) Mark Sisson’s opinion on it’s that fluoride isn’t nice however that we must always give attention to enhancing well being in different methods first (clear weight loss program, loads of sleep, low stress, and so on) earlier than worrying about filtering fluoride from the water. Alternatively, in case you are filtering your water due to any variety of the opposite pollution that could possibly be in it, chances are you’ll as properly filter out fluoride too.
There may be proof on both aspect of the talk. My private stance is that for folks with thyroid points (like me) it’s clearly finest to keep away from fluoride. And since fluoride does include a warning to name the poison management middle instantly if ingested (and after seeing a detailed good friend’s scare when her son ingested some fluoride), I purchase unfluoridated toothpaste and don’t maintain fluoride-containing merchandise round our home.
Tips on how to Defend Enamel With out Fluoride
Although fluoride might have a protecting impact on enamel, there are different (higher) methods to maintain enamel wholesome than to smear them with fluoride.
Dental Weight loss program
What you eat can affect your oral well being much more than brushing or flossing. Enamel are in a continuing state of remineralization because the saliva within the mouth offers minerals to the enamel and the cells within the enamel use these minerals to strengthen themselves.
Weight loss program can play an enormous half on this course of (and the well being of your enamel). Based on Weston A. Worth’s (and others) analysis, a weight loss program wealthy in wholesome fat, nutritional vitamins, and minerals will help heal and shield oral well being. I am going into extra element in this post.
Balancing Hormones
Hormones can have an enormous impact on oral well being as they will management the acid/alkaline steadiness within the mouth. Additionally they have an effect on how properly the physique can heal from or struggle illness. Many people have signs of hormone imbalance and issues like optimizing sleep, stress, weight loss program, and health could make a big difference in hormone health (and oral well being).
Do-it-yourself Toothpaste
Many standard sorts of toothpaste include chemical substances and synthetic elements that may do extra hurt than good! That’s why I began making my own remineralizing toothpaste. I’ve been utilizing it for years and have had no new cavities (and have even healed some that had been ready for a filling).
Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
After all making your individual toothpaste isn’t all the time sensible when life will get busy, so I created my very own line of private care merchandise primarily based on my DIY recipes. It’s known as Wellnesse and my Whitening Toothpaste is fluoride-free (however fights micro organism and decay with inexperienced tea leaf extract as an alternative!).
Fluoride: Backside Line
There’s numerous conflicting proof surrounding fluoride and fluoridating water. Some companies and dentists assume fluoride use has been an enormous well being development. However there’s additionally rising proof that fluoride may be dangerous. I wish to go on the aspect of warning (particularly when there are pure methods to enhance oral well being) and keep away from it. We use a water filter that removes fluoride as properly.
This text was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Household Doctor and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As all the time, this isn’t private medical recommendation and we suggest that you simply speak along with your physician.
This text was medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, a scientific professor of drugs and scientific analysis and has revealed over 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, posters, and papers. As all the time, this isn’t private medical recommendation and we suggest that you simply speak along with your physician.
Do you employ fluoride? Why or why not?
Sources:
- Are fluoride ranges in consuming water related to hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A big observational examine of GP observe information and fluoride ranges in consuming water. https://jech.bmj.com/content/69/7/619
- Li, Y., Liang, C., Slemenda, C. W., Ji, R., Solar, S., Cao, J., . . . Johnston, J. R. (2001, Might). Impact of long-term publicity to fluoride in consuming water on dangers of bone fractures. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11341339
- Estimated “Threshold” Doses for Skeletal Fluorosis. (n.d.). http://fluoridealert.org/studies/skeletal_fluorosis04_/
- Beary, D. F. (2005, February 02). The consequences of fluoride and low calcium on the bodily properties of the rat femur. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ar.1091640306
- Chapman, S. Okay., Malagodi, M. H., & Thomas, J. R. (n.d.). Impact of vitamin D in fluoride-treated rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/639403
- Affect of fluoride on neurological improvement in kids. (2014, December 22). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/
- Grandjean, P., & Landrigan, P. J. (2014, March). Neurobehavioural results of developmental toxicity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/
- Prenatal Fluoride Publicity and Cognitive Outcomes in Youngsters at 4 and 6–12 Years of Age in Mexico. (n.d.). https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp655
- Regression Evaluation of Most cancers Incidence Charges. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jea1991/11/4/11_4_170/_pdf
- Fluoride. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fluorideresearch.org/262/files/FJ1993_v26_n2_p079-164.pdf
- J., L. (n.d.). The Impact of Fluoride on the Physiology of the Pineal Gland. https://slweb.org/luke-1997.html
- Male Fertility. (n.d.). http://fluoridealert.org/issues/health/fertility/
- Water Fluoridation “Out of date” Based on Nobel Prize Scientist. (n.d.). http://fluoridealert.org/content/carlsson-interview/
- Most important, D. (2016, April 06). Fluoridation Might Not Stop Cavities, Scientific Overview Reveals. https://www.newsweek.com/fluoridation-may-not-prevent-cavities-huge-study-shows-348251
- Singh, N., Verma, Okay. G., Verma, P., Sidhu, G. Okay., & Sachdeva, S. (2014). A comparative examine of fluoride ingestion ranges, serum thyroid hormone & TSH stage derangements, dental fluorosis standing amongst college kids from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3890436/
