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You doubtless 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 secure (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 increased ranges of naturally occurring fluoride of their consuming water had fewer dental caries (cavities). Naturally fluoridated water at about 1mg/L appeared to be useful 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 grew to become generally known as one among 10 greatest public well being achievements of the 20th century in line 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 america. Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Arvid Carlsson argued towards its use in Sweden by saying that topical use of fluoride may match for dental caries however consuming fluoride was not a good suggestion, particularly when you think about that the quantity any particular person consumes can differ fairly a bit.
Although some earlier research confirmed that fluoride within the water provide can assist scale back dental caries, a 2015 Cochrane overview discovered that the latest and complete proof reveals that there’s merely not sufficient proof to help fluoridating water.
Although fluoride might assist forestall 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 lots of others as effectively. As a result of there are such a lot of sources of fluoride at present, it’s particularly regarding that water provides are “spiked” with fluoride. Listed below 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 effective)
- Teflon pans
- Mechanically separated meat (fragments of bone could be left behind)
- Trade (aluminum, fertilizer, iron, oil refining, semi-conductor, and metal industries)
- Fluorinated prescribed drugs (the fluorine doesn’t often break down into fluoride, however might)
- Dental merchandise
In fact, there are causes aside from fluoride to keep away from a number of the issues on this checklist. For somebody who’s thinking about pure well being (and avoiding lots of this stuff already), avoiding fluoride isn’t all that onerous.
How Fluoride Impacts the Thyroid
Although there’s some debate about whether or not fluoride is secure, the proof is fairly clear that it may possibly 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 (largely girls), this is a vital angle to think about.
Within the Thirties a product containing fluoride was used to deal with individuals 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 individuals’s thyroid glands have been completely broken from its use.
Research present that fluoride impacts the thyroid gland particularly. Research executed in India discovered that kids in communities with excessive fluoride consumption had a big lower in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). One other research discovered that folks with unfluoridated water have 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 must be.
One research discovered that iodine ranges straight affect how a lot hurt fluoride can do to the thyroid and should assist shield the thyroid from fluoride. However, 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 may possibly assist enhance bone density, proof reveals that the quantity of fluoride performs a vital half in whether or not fluoride helps or hurts bone well being.
This study checked out completely 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 research discovered was that fractures occurred much less when fluoride ranges have been at about 1 mg/L however extra once they have been on the bottom and highest elements of the vary. Clearly, there’s a effective line between useful and dangerous right here.
Skeletal fluorosis is a severe bone illness which causes hardening and thickening of the bones which makes motion tough. It may be confused with a variety of different skeletal points together with arthritis. Skeletal fluorosis is attributable to extreme publicity to fluoride which may occur over time as fluoride can accumulate within the physique. The most recent research reveals 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, notably regular ranges of nutritional vitamins and minerals, can assist scale back the unfavorable results of fluoride. One research discovered that standard ranges of calcium helped forestall fluoride-induced bone points in rats. One other discovered that adequate ranges of vitamin D might be protecting. Moreover, one other research discovered that magnesium-deficient rats absorbed extra fluoride than rats with regular magnesium ranges and in addition had extra fluoride of their bones and tooth.
What does this imply? That we will do one thing about fluoride publicity by doing a number of the identical issues which can be good for well being general. Optimizing calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium ranges (here are some ideas on that) and consuming a nutrient-dense weight loss program is a good first step.
Fluoride and the Mind
Fluoride is a confirmed neurotoxin and lots of prestigious critiques have dug into the analysis that’s accessible on the subject through the years. A 2012 Harvard overview discovered that of the 27 research within the overview, 26 of them concluded that there’s a relationship between elevated fluoride and diminished IQ.
A 2014 Lancet overview paperwork fluoride as a neurotoxin that might be dangerous to youngster growth. The overview concludes, “The presumption that new chemical substances and applied sciences are secure till confirmed in any other case is a basic downside.”
Newer analysis is discovering the identical neurotoxicity issues as earlier research. A 2017 research discovered that fluoride publicity in utero was linked to poorer cognitive efficiency later in life.
Fluoride Impacts Different Components of the Physique
Whereas the results of fluoride on the thyroid, skeletal system, and mind is pretty clear reduce, the science is much less clear on how fluoride impacts different elements of the physique. Listed below are another methods fluoride might trigger hurt:
- Most cancers – A connection between fluoride and most cancers is a hotly debated matter, in all probability as a result of the analysis is inconclusive and at occasions complicated.
- Early sexual growth – One researcher discovered that fluoride accumulates in excessive quantities within the pineal gland (that secretes hormones). A 1997 research discovered that fluoride was related to sooner sexual growth within the feminine gerbils within the research.
- Male infertility – Some information recommend {that a} decline in male fertility might be related to topical fluoride use. Animal research present concern however extra info is required.
So… Ought to I Be Nervous About Fluoride?
There are a lot of conflicting opinions on whether or not fluoride is secure and whether or not it’s one thing to fret about. (I do know, you hear me say issues like that so much!) Mark Sisson’s opinion on it’s that fluoride isn’t nice however that we must always deal with bettering 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. However, in case you are filtering your water due to any variety of the opposite pollution that might be in it, you might as effectively filter out fluoride too.
There’s proof on both facet of the controversy. My private stance is that for individuals with thyroid points (like me) it’s clearly greatest to keep away from fluoride. And since fluoride does include a warning to name the poison management middle instantly if ingested (and after seeing an in depth good friend’s scare when her son ingested some fluoride), I purchase unfluoridated toothpaste and don’t preserve fluoride-containing merchandise round our home.
The right way to Shield Tooth With out Fluoride
Although fluoride might have a protecting impact on tooth, there are different (higher) methods to maintain tooth wholesome than to smear them with fluoride.
Dental Weight-reduction plan
What you eat can affect your oral well being much more than brushing or flossing. Tooth are in a relentless state of remineralization because the saliva within the mouth offers minerals to the tooth and the cells within the tooth use these minerals to strengthen themselves.
Weight-reduction plan can play an enormous half on this course of (and the well being of your tooth). Based on Weston A. Value’s (and others) analysis, a weight loss program wealthy in wholesome fat, nutritional vitamins, and minerals can assist heal and shield oral well being. I’m going into extra element in this post.
Balancing Hormones
Hormones can have an enormous impact on oral well being as they’ll management the acid/alkaline steadiness within the mouth. In addition they have an effect on how effectively 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 comprise chemical substances and synthetic components 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 have been ready for a filling).
Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
In fact making your personal toothpaste isn’t all the time sensible when life will get busy, so I created my very own line of private care merchandise based mostly on my DIY recipes. It’s referred to as Wellnesse and my Whitening Toothpaste is fluoride-free (however fights micro organism and decay with inexperienced tea leaf extract as a substitute!).
Fluoride: Backside Line
There’s numerous conflicting proof surrounding fluoride and fluoridating water. Some companies and dentists suppose fluoride use has been an enormous well being development. However there’s additionally rising proof that fluoride could be dangerous. I prefer to go on the facet 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 effectively.
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 just discuss together with your physician.
This text was medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, a scientific professor of medication 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 just discuss together 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 research 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, Could). 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 results 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. Ok., Malagodi, M. H., & Thomas, J. R. (n.d.). Impact of vitamin D in fluoride-treated rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/639403
- Impression of fluoride on neurological growth 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 Kids 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/
- Important, D. (2016, April 06). Fluoridation Could Not Forestall Cavities, Scientific Assessment Reveals. https://www.newsweek.com/fluoridation-may-not-prevent-cavities-huge-study-shows-348251
- Singh, N., Verma, Ok. G., Verma, P., Sidhu, G. Ok., & Sachdeva, S. (2014). A comparative research of fluoride ingestion ranges, serum thyroid hormone & TSH stage derangements, dental fluorosis standing amongst faculty kids from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3890436/
