Fluoride
compounds which are put in water
(fluoridation), toothpaste and
supplement tablets (including
some vitamins) were never tested
for safety before approval. Recent
independent research by scientists
not associated with dental trade
organizations has shown the following:
1.
Neurotoxic and Lowers IQ
In 1995, neurotoxicologist and
former Director of toxicology
at Forsyth Dental Center in Boston,
Dr. Phyllis Mullenix published
research showing that fluoride
built up in the brains of animals
when exposed to moderate levels.
Damage to the brain occurred and
the behavior patterns of the animals
was adversely effected. Offspring
of pregnant animals receiving
relatively low doses of fluoride
showed permanent effects to the
brain which were seen as hyperactivity
(ADD-like symptoms). Young animals
and adult animals given fluoride
experienced the opposite effect
-- hyperactivity or sluggishness.
The toxic effects of fluoride
on the central nervous system
was subsequently confirmed by
previously-classified
government research. Two new
epidemiological studies which
tend to confirm fluoride's neurotoxic
effects on the brain have shown
that children exposed to higher
levels of fluoride had lower IQs.
2.
A
study published in Brain Research
shows that rats drinking only
1 part per million fluoride (NaF)
in water had histologic lesions
in their brain similar to Alzheimer's
disease and dementia. In addition,
evidence was seen pointing to
possible damage to the blood brain
barrier from extended fluoride
exposure. This study was the third
in a series of papers published
by Varner et al. Brain Research
Vol. 784 No. 12 p 284-298 (1998).
Results of this recent study and
other studies showing significant
dangers from low-level fluoride
exposure were presented at a recent
scientific
symposium.
3.
Causes Cancer
The Department of Health in New
Jersey found
that bone cancer in male children
was between two and seven times
greater in areas where water was
fluoridated. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) researchers
confirmed the bone cancer-causing
effects of fluoride at low levels
in an animal model. A
new study has shown that fluoridation
of water is linked to uterine
cancer deaths.
4.
Changes Bone Structure and Strength
Fluoride gradually builds up in
the bones and causes adverse changes
to the bone structure. Quite
a few studies have shown that
fluoridation leads to increases
in hip fractures. The tensile
strength of the hip is destroyed
over time by fluoride ingestion.
5.
Causes Birth Defects and Prenatal
Deaths
A toxicologist in the United Kingdom
recently found
that prenatal deaths in a fluoridated
area was 15% higher than in neighboring
non-fluoridated areas. The fluoridated
area had a higher socio-economic
status and would have been expected
to have less prenatal deaths.
The fluoridated area also had
a 30% higher rate of Down's Syndrome.
Chile banned fluoridation because
of research by the world-renowned
researcher, Dr Albert Schatz,
which showed a link to infant
deaths due to fluoridation.
6.
Proven Ineffective
Fluoride compounds in water and
in supplements do not provide
any significant cavity-protecting
effects. All
of the recent large-scale studies
of water fluoridation have shown
that there are no positive effects.
That is why countries without
fluoridation have shown an equal
improvement in dental health as
those with fluoridation. (See
Research Item #5.) There is
scientific
evidence that excessive fluoride
exposure leads to increased levels
of caries. Even pro-fluoridation
scientists admit that there
is not any properly-conducted
research showing that fluoride
supplements help prevent cavities.
(Note: check vitamins carefully
to be sure they do not include
fluoride.)
7.
Impairs Immune System
Independent research has shown
that fluoride impairs the functioning
of the immune system. In the United
States, where toxic fluoride compounds
are regularly added to water and
given to children since the 1960s
and 1970s, we are beginning to
see an overwhelming number of
people of that generation who
are developing chronic immune
system disorders.
8.
Causes Acute Adverse Reactions
Several double-blind studies
have shown that fluoridated water
can often cause acute adverse
reactions (in addition to the
chronic poisoning effects discussed
below). Some of the effects seen
in double-blind studies include:
gastrointestinal symptoms, stomatitis,
joint pains, polydipsia, headaches,
visual disturbances, muscular
weakness, and extreme tiredness.
An enlightening review of a book
by one famous and well-respected
researcher from The Netherlands
who found adverse reactions in
double-blind experiments can be
read here.
9.
Causes Initial Stages of Skeletal
Fluorosis
Fluoride can cause severe skeletal
fluorosis at high levels. Chronic,
long-term exposure to levels of
fluoride commonly found in water
and food in the U.S. can cause
the beginning stages of skeletal
fluorosis including: pains in
bones and joints, sensations of
burning, pricking, and tingling
in the limbs, muscle weakness,
chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal
disorders, reduced appetite, backache,
osteoarthritis, etc. In fact,
decades of ingestion of fluoride
from water and other common sources
can
be expected to cause these
symptoms in large numbers of people
based on calculations of fluoride
intake and excretion. (Keep in
mind that fluoride is a cumulative
poison since it builds up in the
body of years.) Very few healthcare
practitioners are capable of diagnosing
such a condition because healthcare
practitioners are not trained
to test for or recognize the effects
chronic poisoning from fluoride.
10.
Increases Lead and Arsenic Exposure
Fluoride compounds put into water
are often contaminated with lead,
arsenic and radio nuclides
since the fluoride compounds are
toxic
waste by products which largely
come from pollution scrubbers
of fertilizer plants. A study
published in 2000 showed that
the dumping of toxic silicofluoride
compounds into water ("fluoridation")
causes an increase in blood lead
levels in children.
11. Fluoride
Causes Osteoarthritis
In a study
published in Rhuematology International
in 2001, researchers found
a link between fluoride exposure
and the development of osteoarthritis.
The level of exposure that caused
osteoarthritis is common in the
United States.
12. Contributes to the
Development of Repetitive Stress
Injury
A clinical
study in New Zealand showed
that fluoride ingestion may be
a contributing factor in the development
of Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)
since such ingestion may encourage
the development of apatite crystal
formation. Elimination of fluoride
plus regular supplementation of
magnesium appeared to help RSI
patients considerably.
13. Causes Permanent Disfigurement
of the Teeth in Many Children
A very large and increasing number
of children are experiencing dental
fluorosis which is a permanent
adverse structural change to the
teeth.
14. Inhibits Key Enzymes
As fluoride builds up in different
parts of the body over decades
it can disrupt the actions of
many key enzymes. This fact has
been known
for a long time.
15. Suppresses
Thyroid
Function
Fluoride was given at low levels
during the early to mid 20th century
as an effective way of suppressing
thyroid function and treating
hyperthyroidism. Articles and
research can be found on the Thyroid
web page.
16. Causes
Large Numbers of Acute Poisonings
Fluoride is an extremely poisonous
substances at exceptionally low
doses and has caused a large
number of acute poisonings.
This is why a poison warning is
now required on fluoridated toothpastes
sold in the U.S.
17. Independent
Experts Oppose Dumping Fluoride
Into Water
Over 1500 professionals at the
US EPA, including toxicologists
and risk assessment experts voted
unanimously to oppose the fluoridation
initiative in California because
of the health risks involved.
See summary
or official
EPA union statement. Even
the Canadian Dental Association
Consultant and Researcher urged
people to avoid
drinking fluoridated water.
18.
Unethical
Fluoridation amounts to forced
medication of the water supply.
Such practices demonstrate a complete
lack of ethics on the part of
its promoters. Studies as early
the 1930s showed extreme hazards
to man and the environment due
to fluoride dumping and exposure.
Companies and organizations involved
used the promotion of "fluoridation"
as a way to avoid lawsuits due
to dumping toxic wastes and later
for economic gain. Please read
the short history
of fluoridation for more detailed
information.
19. Banned in Many Countries
Fluoridation is not legal or not
used in the overwhelming number
of countries including industrialized
countries. Please see Fluoride
Status of Countries web page.
Many independent researchers,
organizations,
holistic healthcare experts and
a growing number of dentists who
avoid the use of toxic substances
are warning their patients to
avoid fluoridated water and fluoridated
toothpaste and to definitely not
give children any fluoride since
they appear to be more susceptible
to the neurological toxicity from
fluoride.
If your water
department adds toxic fluoride
compounds to the water, the best
course of action is usually to
drink and cook with bottled "spring"
water. Carbon filters do not remove
fluoride compounds to any significant
extent. Avoid putting fluoridated
water in humidifiers. Many non-organic
juices have large amounts of fluoride
from pesticide residues. It is
best to juice your own vegetables
and fruits from organic produce
or go to a health food store to
purchase organic juices.
Avoid toothpastes
that have fluoride even if the
manufacturers claim that the fluoride
came from "natural"
sources. Even though topical fluoride
treatment may have an effect to
help remineralize cavities at
the early stages, the combination
of a healthy diet, proper dental
hygiene and saliva can have a
similar effect. It is impossible
to avoid swallowing some fluoride
from fluoridated toothpaste. I
have tried various toothpastes
and current use the natural Weleda
toothpaste with baking soda. I
like that fact that it does not
contain fluoride or the detergent,
sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
More
detailed information about fluoride
and proper dental care:
