What is fluoridating water doing to our health?

Epidemic of ADHD caused by Fluoride in water?

ADHD is a complex condition with many facets and we know that there are multiple causes but various studies are now linking thyroid conditions (caused by fluoride in water) to the epidemic of ADHD in children that are being seen throughout the United States. 

The problem is that although fluoride has been found to help strengthen the teeth in Colorado native people the fluoride was natural and in very low concentration and stained their teeth, but it did them no harm otherwise. Whereas the fluoride that is being added to drinking water is a man-made toxic side product from aluminium production and other industries.

The Dangers of Fluoride & Water Fluoridation

Study comparing fluoridation of water to ADHD incidence

The authors of a research study, psychologists Christine Till and Ashley Malin at Toronto’s York University, studied figures by state in 1992 and for the following 5 years and related them to the incidences of diagnoses of ADHD.

They first made adjustments for poverty, wealth and other factors. They found that Delaware and Iowa were heavily fluoridated and also had high levels of ADHD diagnosed, of around 14% between the ages of four and seventeen.

They predicted that “for every one percent increase in the portion of the U.S. population drinking fluoridated water in 1992 was associated with 67,000 additional cases of ADHD 11 years later, and an additional 131,000 cases by 2011, after controlling for socioeconomic status.”

Sourced from ADHD Epidemic in Children Caused by Fluoride in Water, New Study Finds

Other Fluoride issues 

The reason that fluoride is affecting children, and indeed adults too, is because fluoride interferes with how the thyroid functions. The thyroid needs iodine to be able to function properly in its primary role of metabolism and protein synthesis.

There are several more problematic issues with added fluoride, in that it has been found that fluoride has been shown to:

1. lower IQ,
2. delay neurobehavioral development in children as in ADHD and other issues
3. have neurotoxic effects
4. cause hypothyroidism 
5. cause a goiter if someone is iodine deficient
6. decrease fertility in high concentrations
7. cause fluorosis of teeth and bones (showing as discoloration)

Fluoride, the “Halide family” and Thyroid Function 

Iodine belongs to the halide family, along with fluoride, bromide and chlorine. Therein lies a big problem.

The thyroid has many iodine receptors in which to capture iodine which, together with thyroxine, activates the metabolism and energy processes and protein synthesis.

Unfortunately the iodine receptors are unable to tell the difference between the various members of the “halide family” so if there is more fluoride, bromide or chlorine around than there is of iodine, these other halides will be accepted on the receptors and this will block the spaces available for iodine.

The problem with that is that the thyroid can only use iodine, the others from that family are useless to it. The thyroid needs iodine and the result is that metabolism and protein synthesis suffers. There may not be an actual deficiency of iodine at all if iodine receptors are already taken up by fluoride, bromide, or chlorine. But it can appear so from the thyroid symptoms shown – lack of energy, tiredness, unable to concentrate, and so on.

Effects of fluoride on Pregnancy

Studies carried out back in the 1990s by researcher Phyllis Mullenix at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Research Institute showed that rats that were exposed to fluoride in the womb were much more likely to become hyperactive later in life.

If this happens while a woman is pregnant this obviously could affect the foetus if the same happens in humans as in rats as demonstrated in this study.

There have also been about 40 studies showing that children born in areas home to water with elevated levels of this chemical (higher than the concentrations used in U.S. water fluoridation) have lower-than-normal IQs.

Grandjean and colleagues reviewed 27 such studies that were available in 2012, concluding that all but one of them showed a significant link; children in high fluoride areas had IQs that were, on average, seven points below those of children from areas with low concentrations of the substance.

Sourced from ADHD Epidemic in Children Caused by Fluoride in Water, New Study Finds

According to a study carried out by University of Toronto and York University researchers higher levels of urinary fluoride during pregnancy are associated with more ADHD-like symptoms in school-age children.

“Our findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence suggesting that the growing fetal nervous system may be negatively affected by higher levels of fluoride exposure,” said Dr. Morteza Bashash, the study’s lead author and researcher at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

 “Our findings show that children with elevated prenatal exposure to fluoride were more likely to show symptoms of ADHD as reported by parents. Prenatal fluoride exposure was more strongly associated with inattentive behaviours and cognitive problems, but not with hyperactivity,” said Dr Bashash.

Sourced from Higher levels of urinary fluoride associated with ADHD in children

The Importance of preparing for pregnancy 

This study demonstrates how important it is to prepare for conception and pregnancy by looking at the quality of our water, food and our environment and eliminate the offending items where possible. The other thing we are doing at the same time is improving our own health outcome which has to be a plus point!.

We need to do everything in our power to improve the health of our baby before it is born because it will improve the baby’s chances of having a much healthier childhood continuing into adult life and be less likely to have ADHD or other developmental issues. 

“Previous research has suggested that there may be several mechanisms by which fluoride could interfere in brain development and play a role in ADHD“, says Dr. Caroline Martinez, a pediatrician and researcher at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital.

 What else is fluoride in? 

It’s not just tap-water we have to be careful of but also toothpaste, mouth wash, milk, and table-salt may be fluoridated in many countries. There is increasing resistance by the general public to the enforced addition to food, hygiene items and particularly water, which some liken to mass medication. Fear is growing among many functional medicine health practitioners about the damage that may be done to the developing brains of our children, although government officials claim that fluoride is safe despite research figures showing the contrary.

The importance of a good quality water filter

People who drink larger amounts of water are more likely to be worse affected by the added fluoride and chlorine than those who drink less if drinking water that has not been filtered with a really good quality filter. We are continually being reminded by health organisations to keep well hydrated by drinking more water, so we feel as though we are doing the right thing, but unfortunately this may not be so. 

Other Halides

So far we have been discussing fluoride but it is known that chlorine and bromide are also problematic. These are both used for either disinfecting drinking water or for the water in swimming pools, Jacuzzi, spa-baths……

So should we now be thinking about a different way to make sure our water is hygienic in which wash, bathe and swim or to drink?

Ultra-violet light has been shown to be effective, but maybe not so cost-effective. Must our health suffer because of money?

What can we do on an individual basis to make sure the water which we use in our houses on a daily basis is safe to use?

The first place to check if you live in the U.S. is the website

http://www.ewg.org

You can check the chemical situation in the water where you live by entering your zip code or state.

Water filters

A really good water filter is indispensable and can be managed without breaking the bank. There are water filters available for all the water used in the house but there are also fairly inexpensive water-jug filters, counter-top filters and filters for taps and showers.

Shower filters

Shower filters are really important because water, which contains chlorine (and possibly fluoride too), is pouring over us for quite a few minutes and our skins absorb really well; so we shall be absorbing a quantity of chlorine/ fluoride each time we shower. Why would we apply hormone creams like progesterone to our skins otherwise if our skins were not really absorbent?

Chlorine or bromine are commonly used to disinfect the water in swimming-pools, jacuzzis, and spa-baths so after a swim or bathing we need to jump in the shower, fitted with a  good quality shower filter to rinse any remaining chlorine or bromide from the skin.

Where else is the troublesome halide family hiding?

Bromide can be found in bakery goods where it is used as a dough conditioner so be on the lookout when shopping, check those labels. Home-made is best but check the flours you use.

Bromides are also in pesticides, plastics, fire retardants and medications.  BVOs (brominated vegetable oils) are used in soft drinks, particularly citrus ones.

As you can see halides are just about everywhere so we just have to do our utmost to minimise our exposure and make sure we are well topped up with iodine from fish and sea vegetables. Soil depletion of iodine does not help our cause.

Conclusion

The primary task we have to avoid a major halide hazard (and will minimise a good deal of chlorine and fluoride exposure) is sourcing good quality water filters and getting them fitted. Water is such an important part of our lives both for consumption and for hygiene and needs to be prioritised.

Check labels for fluoride and bromide plus avoid chlorine where possible.

We can also avoid fruit and vegetables that have been treated with pesticides by growing our own or buying organically grown produce.

If that is not possible then check on the Environment Working Group’s website to find their list of the fruit and vegetables that are most important to buy organic because they are more likely to have toxic residue from pesticides and are absolutely to be avoided if at all possible, “The Dirty Dozen”, and the ones which are least of a problem, “The Clean Fifteen” which one can safely buy.

Food and water are our essentials to be alive so let’s try to eat and drink as pure and clean as possible to live a healthy life.

Resources

For information on drinking water in U.S., a National tap water database – https://www.ewg.org/

Enter your name and address at https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/  to receive the “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Clean Fifteen” food lists.