Fluoride is promoted as good for your teeth. But is it? And is it good for the rest of you?.
The city in which i live has recently decided that it is, once again, putting fluoride in our water system in the name of “improving dental health in our children.” But is fluoride helpful or harmful? Consider the following list of studies and research papers to see what the experts have to say about fluoride.
Fluoride is a substance that is naturally occurring in our environment. But the concern is the amount of it we are subjected to. The concern is that adding a substance with this much of a hazardous effect
Consider these excerpts from the following journals, papers, studies and government websites and decide for yourself whether or not you should be filtering your water or drinking bottled water.
For instance, this from the NIH…. “Blood levels during lifelong consumption can harm heart, bone, brain, and even developing teeth enamel.”
Yes. Flouride is bad for you. Is there anything that is GOOD for your teeth? Take a look at this surprising approach to natural dental care. It works!
So, let’s look at the different types of findings, by category.
Excess fluoride lowers IQ
Of all the studies I’ve found, those documenting reduced IQ are the most prevalent. I will show quotes from several of them here, with listings of others for follow-up for reference for those who wish to dig in further.
An study NIH correlates high fluoride levels with lower IQ
This was a study from the National Institutes of Health to assess the IQ of school going children aged 10-12 years in villages of Mysore district, India with different fluoride levels.
From the study: “… significant relationships were found between water fluoride levels and Intelligence Quotient of school children (P < 0.05). In the high fluoride village, the proportion of children with IQ below 90, i.e. below average IQ was larger compared to normal and low fluoride village. Age, gender, parent education level and family income had no significant association with IQ.”
Conclusion:Â School children residing in area with higher than normal water fluoride level demonstrated more impaired development of intelligence when compared to school children residing in areas with normal and low water fluoride levels. Thus, children’s intelligence can be affected by high water fluoride levels.
A study from India correlates lower IQ in children with excessive exposure to fluoride.
The study is entitled, “A correlation between Serum Vitamin, Acetylcholinesterase Activity and IQ in Children with Excessive Endemic Fluoride exposure in Rajasthan, India.” This study documents the damage done by excessive exposure to fluoride as well as a consideration of how proper vitamin supplementation can mitigate some of the damage otherwise incurred from the fluoride.
The results of the present study may conclude that fluoride
exposure promote oxidative stress and alteration in trace metal
analysis. These alterations may induce pathophysiological
activities due to lack of proper drinking water source. High
fluoride content in the drinking water (bore well water) and
associated fluoride induced health problem among the children.
From a study of the IQ Levels of Four to Seven-year-old Children in High Fluoride Areas
The results show that a high fluoride intake has a clear influence on the IQ of preschool children, manifesting itself primarily as damage to performance intelligence. The study also indicates that the proportion of preschool children living in high fluoride areas that have retarded head development (based on measuring of the circumference) is significantly higher than the low fluoride control group, and that children with this developmental deficient demonstrate a lower IQ than children with normal head development.
So many other studies show decreased IQ and cognitive function
It is an extensive list, though not an exhaustive one. But for more references, see the following:
- Alimentary fluoride intake in preschool children https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3201925/
- Arsenic and fluoride exposure in drinking water: children’s IQ and growth in Shanyin county, Shanxi province, China. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17450237
- Assessment of groudwater quality with reference to fluoride and its impact on IQ of school children in India. http://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/trivedi-2012.pdf
- Association of lifetime exposure to fluoride and cognitive functions in Chinese children: a pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25446012
- Comparative Assessment of Intelligence Quotient among Children Living in High and Low Fluoride Areas of Kutch, India-a Pilot Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441911/
- The effects of comprehensive control measures on intelligence of school-age children in coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis areas https://www.researchgate.net/…/289863716_The_effects_of…
- The Effects of High Levels of Fluoride and Iodine on Child Intellectual Ability and the Metabolism of Fluoride and Iodine https://www.researchgate.net/…/237279822_The_Effects_of…
- The Effects of High Fluoride on the Intelligence Level of Primary and Secondary Students http://www.fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/an-1992.pdf
- Relationship Between Dental Fluorosis and Intelligence Quotient of School Going Children In and Around Lucknow District: A Cross-Sectional Study http://www.jcdr.net/article_abstract.asp?issn=0973-709x…
- Relation between dental fluorosis and intelligence quotient in school children of Bagalkot district. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21911949
- A preliminary investigation of the IQs of 7-13 year-old children from an area with coal burning-related fluoride poisoning https://www.researchgate.net/…/237283559_A_preliminary…
- Effect of fluoride exposure on the intelligence of school children in Madhya Pradesh, India https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3409983/
- EFFECT OF FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER ON CHILDREN’S INTELLIGENCE http://www.fluorideresearch.org/…/FJ2003_v36_n2_p84-94.pdf
- Effects of endemic fluoride poisoning on the intellectual development of children in Baotou https://www.researchgate.net/…/291795479_Effects_of…
- [Effects of high iodine and high fluorine on children’s intelligence and the metabolism of iodine and fluorine]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7859263
- Effect of High Water Fluoride Concentration on the Intellectual Development of Children in Makoo/Iran https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3484826/
- Effect of fluoride exposure on the intelligence of school children in Madhya Pradesh, India. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22865964
- Effect of fluoride exposure on Intelligence Quotient (IQ)among 13-15 year old school children of known endemicarea of fluorosis, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh. http://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/sudhir-2009.pdf
- Intelligence quotient of 7 to 9 year-old children froman area with high fluoride in drinking water http://www.academicjournals.org/…/article1379419220…
- Intelligence quotients of 12-14 year old school children in a high and a low fluoride village in india https://www.researchgate.net/…/287694642_Intelligence…
- Research on the effects of fluoride on child intellectual development under different environmental conditions. http://www.fluorideresearch.org/…/FJ2008_v41_n2_p156…
- Effect of fluoride in drinking water on children’s intelligence in high and low fluoride areas of Delhi http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2015;volume=13;issue=2;spage=116;epage=121;aulast=Kundu
Damage to the nervous system
Joint pain, numbness, scoliosis, sleep disorders
A comparative analysis of the results of multiple tests in patients with chronic industrial fluorosis
Nervous system symptoms and signs: Symptoms were present
in all 72 cases in Group A, with dizziness, weakness, degradation of
memory, sleep disorders, and joint pain present in 72 cases (100%),
headaches in 60 cases (83.3%), waist pain in 70 cases (97.3%), blurred
vision and heavy perspiration in 57 cases (79.2%), numbness of the
extremities in 54 cases (75%), paroxysmal syncope in 20 cases (27.8%),
increased muscular tension in 41 cases (56.9%), reduced pain sensation
throughout the body in 40 cases (55.6%), reduced muscular strength in
the extremities in 24 cases (33.3%) ocular-facial reflexes and orbicularis
oculi reflex positive in 21 cases (29.1%), Babinski sign positive in eight
cases (11.1%), and joint deformities or scoliosis in 60 cases (83.3%). In
Group B, symptoms were present in 23 cases (53.5%), with dizziness
present in 12 cases (27.4%), weakness and degradation of memory in 10
cases (23.3%), sleep disorders in nine cases (21.2%), and joint pain in 20
cases (46.5%). All 42 cases in Group C were without signs and
symptoms.
Also, consider the following.
- Developmental Fluoride Neurotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1104912/
- Impact of fluoride on neurological development in childrenhttps://www.hsph.harvard.edu/…/fluoride-childrens…/
ADHD
Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association
Parents reported higher rates of medically-diagnosed ADHD in their children in states in which a greater proportion of people receive fluoridated water from public water supplies. The relationship between fluoride exposure and ADHD warrants future study.
Learning Impairment and Memory Impairment
Fluoride and Arsenic Exposure Impairs Learning and Memory and Decreases mGluR5 Expression in the Hippocampus and Cortex in Rats
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997496/
Reproductive issues
Adverse Effects of High Concentrations of Fluoride on Characteristics of the Mouse Ovary
Taken together, this study suggests that the administration of high concentrations of fluoride to female mice not only results in ovarian damage but also significantly reduces the number and the fertilization potential of mature oocytes by reducing the expression of genes that play an important role in the normal development and maturation of oocytes. The results obtained in this study could thus be employed for statistical analysis of the association between exposure to high concentrations of fluoride and reproductive disorders in women.
Hypothyroidism
Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data and fluoride levels in drinking water
http://jech.bmj.com/…/early/2015/02/09/jech-2014-204971…
Dental Fluorosis (damage to the teeth from excessive exposure to fluoride)
Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3433161/
Diabetes
Community water fluoridation predicts increase in age-adjusted incidence and prevalence of diabetes in 22 states from 2005 and 2010
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5116242/
Kidney disease
Fluoride in drinking water and diet: the causative factor of chronic kidney diseases in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4491063/
Low bone density
High fluoride and low calcium levels in drinking water is associated with low bone mass, reduced bone quality and fragility fractures in sheep
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048471/
Oxidative Stress
Fluoride induces oxidative damage and SIRT1/autophagy through ROS-mediated JNK signaling
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684823/
Reducing Exposure to High Fluoride Drinking Water in Estonia—A Countrywide Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987025/
Risk Assessment of Fluoride Intake from Tea in the Republic of Ireland and its Implications for Public Health and Water Fluoridation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808922/
The relationships between low levels of urine fluoride on children’s intelligence, dental fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21237562
Conclusion
Perhaps it is said best in an article in the National Library of Medicine.
The authors conclude that available evidence suggests that fluoride has a potential to cause major adverse human health problems, while having only a modest dental caries prevention effect. As part of efforts to reduce hazardous fluoride ingestion, the practice of artificial water fluoridation should be reconsidered globally…
Fluoride does show up naturally. Sufficient vitamin intake seems to be able to mitigate some of the damage from ingesting it. But we certainly don’t need to add even more of it to our water when even the warnings on the toothpaste tubes caution against swallowing the stuff.