(NaturalNews) A Nebraska television website reports in a recent article that fluoride is completely safe for ingestion via the water supply. They also state that ingesting fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Research, however, shows otherwise (http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8546019) .
In studies, small amounts of natural topical fluoride have proven to reduce tooth decay and facilitate proper tooth enamel formation. However, ingested fluoride via the water supply has actually proven more harmful to tooth enamel than beneficial.
Fluoridation of water with silicofluorides (a type of fluoride added to water) has proven, in many studies, to be potentially harmful and actually damages the enamel of the teeth. This happens because excessive fluoride damages or destroys ameloblasts (enamel forming cells) in the teeth. Studies also show that excessive ingested fluoride may cause dental fluorosis (white spots or yellow staining and loss of enamel) and even tooth decay due to excessive lead retention caused by the silicofluorides.
Endless studies regarding fluoride have taken place over the years.
Some ailments that fluoride is expected to cause or aggravate are thyroid dysfunction, thyroid cancer, osteosarcoma, liver cancer, gastritis, joint pain, bone damage (skeletal fluorosis), carpal tunnel, fractures, osteoporosis (fluoride may reduce the absorption of calcium), impaired attention span, brain damage, reduced intelligence, pineal gland dysfunction, male and female infertility, brain damage to unborn babies, and it may also prevent the production of melatonin (due to pineal gland dysfunction) and certain thyroid hormones.
According to research, long-term doses of fluoride greater than 2-5 mg per day may result in toxicity. A lethal dose is considered 2 grams for adults and 500 mg for children. A daily dose of fluoride from the fluoridation of water is estimated at 1.6 to 6.6 mg per day, enough to make a person sick.
Filtering water thought a reverse osmosis filter eliminates fluoride from tap water. The devices are expensive, however, many stores provide filtered water in bulk. Whole Foods for example caries reverse osmosis and distilled water available for purchase by its customers.
According to research, calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin D are beneficial in counteracting the toxic effects of fluoride.
Overall, fluoride in many studies has proven extremely toxic and many might consider buying bulk filtered water in order to reduce any possible risk.
Sources:
Gupta, S. K., et al. Reversal of fluorosis in children. Acta Paediatr Jpn. 38(5):513-519, 1996.
Masters, R. D., et al. Association of silicofluoride treated water with elevated blood lead. Neurotoxicology. 21(6):1091-1100, 2000.
National Research Council. Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride. National Academy Press, Washington DC, USA. 1993:131.
Moss, M. E., et al. Association of dental caries and blood lead levels. JAMA. 281(24):2294-2298, 1999.
Heller, K. E., et al. Dental caries and dental fluorosis at varying water fluoride concentrations. Public Health Dent. 57(3):136-143, 1997.
Mascarenhas, A. K. Risk factors for dental fluorosis: a review of the recent literature. Pediatr Dent. 22(4):269-277, 2000.
About the author
Kevin K. is a cancer survivor passionate about nutrition and helping people regain their health through diet and a healthy lifestyle.
