Fluoride Brain-Drain Damaging our Children?

EPA lists fluoride as having “Substantial Evidence of Developmental Neurotoxicity.” http://www.epa.gov/ncct/toxcast/files/summit/48P%20Mundy%20TDAS.pdf

Fluoride is one of 213 known brain-toxic chemicals that may lower the intelligence of generations of children, reports renowned physician and 30-year brain researcher, Dr. Phillipe Grandjean in his book, “Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development.

Since 1945, fluoride, neither a nutrient nor essential for healthy teeth, has been added to US public water supplies without considering that fluoride could harm other body parts, especially the brain. Now over 100 animal and 45+ human studies link fluoride to brain deficits.

When environmental chemicals affect developing brains, children risk cognitive deficits, learning disabilities, mental retardation, ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, and other disorders that will remain for a lifetime, says Grandjean.

“Fluorides are known to cause brain toxicity and neurological symptoms in humans,” Dr. Grandjean says. He laments that vested interests often manipulate brain-drain research and manufacture uncertainties to wrongly discredit scientists’ conclusions and credibility.

Dr. Grandjean told Ireland's Hot Press that “fluorides are known to cause brain toxicity and neurological symptoms in humans” and fluoride substances were “known by 2012 to cause adverse effects on the human nervous system”.

 

Vested interests caused decades to pass before children were protected from the brain-damaging effects of lead exposure reported in the literature. We unnecessarily lost a generation to lead-induced brain damage, reports Grandjean.

“Having studied brain toxicity for 30 years, and having become more and more concerned about the consequences of chemical brain damage, I realized that I must speak up…brain drain can be easily overlooked, and it may appear to be silent, as it is frequently not accompanied by a formal medical diagnosis,” writes Grandjean.

Babies only have one chance to develop their brains. “Brains need vigorous protection” says Grandjean.

Chemical brain drain should not be disregarded. The average IQ deficit in children exposed to increased levels of fluoride in drinking water was found to correspond to about 7 points – a sizable difference, he says.

When Grandjean’s research team published a careful review of studies (meta-analysis) linking fluoride to children’s lower IQ, worried fluoridation promoters and regulators immediately and incorrectly claimed that only excessive exposures are toxic, the effect is insignificant, decades of fluoridation would have revealed brain deficits (although nobody looked, yet), and that it was probably lead and arsenic that lowered IQ, not fluoride.  Example here

“When such a misleading fuselage is aimed at the authors of a careful meta-analysis of 27 different studies, what would it take to convince critics like that,” asks Grandjean.

After letters from fluoridation protectionists were published in Lancet Neurology criticizing Grandjean’s findings for erroneous reasons, he responded in a letter:

 “The  fact that a trace element has beneficial effects at low doses in specific tissues does not negate the possibility that neurotoxicity might also be occurring, especially at increased levels of exposure.   Indeed, concerns about fluoride toxicity were already raised by a National Research Council expert committee."

Grandjean writes that “emerging evidence on developmental neurotoxicity makes it clear that the timing of exposure is also of great importance, especially during highly vulnerable windows of brain development. Due to the growing evidence on adverse effects."

Grandjean’s isn’t the first to indict fluoride as neurotoxic. Valdez-Jimenez, et al. review of brain/fluoride studies concludes “The prolonged ingestion of fluoride may cause significant damage to health and particularly to the nervous system,” according to their  review of studies ( Neurologia (June 2011).

The research team reports, “It is important to be aware of this serious problem and avoid the use of toothpaste and items that contain fluoride, particularly in children as they are more susceptible to the toxic effects of fluoride.” 

“Fluoride can be toxic by ingesting one part per million (ppm), and the effects are not immediate, as they can take 20 years or more to become evident,” they write. 

Valdez-Jimenez, et al. describe studies that show fluoride induces changes in the brain’s physical structure and biochemistry which affects the neurological  and mental development of individuals including cognitive processes, such as learning and memory.

“Fluoride is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which may cause biochemical and functional changes in the nervous system during pregnancy, since the fluoride accumulates in brain tissue before birth,” they write.*

Animal studies show fluoride’s toxic brain effects include classic brain abnormalities found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Valdez-Jimenez’s team reports.

A different research team (Tang et al.) reported in 2008 that “A qualitative review of the studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ.” (Biological Trace Element Research)  

In 2006, the U.S. National Research Council‘s (NRC) expert fluoride panel reviewed fluoride toxicology and concluded, “It’s apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain.” And, “Fluorides also increase the production of free radicals in the brain through several different biological pathways. These changes have a bearing on the possibility that fluorides act to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” 

On April 12, 2010, Time magazine listed fluoride as one of the “Top Ten Common Household Toxins” and described fluoride as both “neurotoxic and potentially tumorigenic if swallowed.” 

Phyllis Mullenix, Ph.D., was the one of the first U.S. scientist to find evidence that fluoride damages the brain. She published her animal study in a respected peer-reviewed scientific journal in 1995

 and then was fired for doing so. 

Vyvyan Howard, M.D., Ph.D., a prominent fetal toxicologist and past-President of the International Society of Doctors for the Environment, said that current brain/fluoride research convinces him that we should stop water fluoridation.

August 2014, Paul Connett, PhD, co-author of "The Case Against Fluoride," and Exec Director of The Fluoride Action Network, wrote: "As of May 2014, 46 studies have investigated the relationship between fluoride and human intelligence, and 31 studies have investigated the relationship between fluoride and learning/memory in animals. Of these investigations, 39 of the 46 human studies (of over 11,000 children) have found that elevated fluoride exposure is associated with reduced IQ, which is consistent with the fact that 29 of 31 studies have found that fluoride exposure impairs the learning and/or memory capacity of animals.

 

It is very unlikely that 39 studies finding reduced IQ can all be a random fluke. The question, therefore, is less whether fluoride reduces IQ, but at what dose, at what time, and how this dose and time varies based on an individual’s nutritional status, health status, and exposure to other contaminants (e.g., aluminum, arsenic, lead, etc). Of particular concern is fluoride’s effect on children born to women with suboptimal iodine

intake during the time of pregnancy, and/or fluoride’s effects on infants with suboptimal iodine intake themselves."

                                                                             END

 

Fluoride & Babies: DON'T MIX

Many government, health, dental and other groups now caution that routinely mixing infant formula with fluoridated water puts babies at risk of developing discolored teeth (dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth) without any benefit of less tooth decay (See citations*). Parents also need to know that hidden fluoride in baby foods can cause fluorosis.

According to Dr. E. Angeles Martinez-Mier of the Indiana University School of Dentistry and a dental scientist who has worked more than 20 years on fluoride research, "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of not using fluoride in baby formula was made because a study found that fluoride is not effective when the person has no teeth. She said she participated not only in that study but in four of the five CDC studies on fluoridation."(A) 

A CDC slogan is often used to promote fluoridation. However, the CDC wants you to know that “It is not CDC’s task to determine what levels of fluoride in water are safe”

In fact, carefully reading CDC reports reveals fluoride doubts. CDC writes: “Fluoride works primarily after teeth have erupted…”  and that ingested fluoride emerges from saliva to bathe teeth topically but that level is too low to prevent tooth decay, CDC says.

The CDC also admits that “The prevalence of dental caries in a population is not inversely related to the concentration of fluoride in enamel, and a higher concentration of enamel fluoride is not necessarily more efficacious in preventing dental caries.”

Preferably, fluoridation should be stopped because it has been proven a dismal failure

*Citations

Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a video commentary published on Medscape.com, March 8, 2011 says “…tooth enamel formation occurs from birth until about 8 years old. This is also the time when dental fluorosis may occur with excess fluoride consumption.”

Koh says, "if the child is exclusively consuming infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water, there is an increased potential for mild dental fluorosis."

Reference: Government Perspectives on Healthcare;HHS: Proposed Guidelines on Fluoride in Drinking Water,A Commentary By Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/738322



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From the US Centers for Disease Control

“Recent evidence suggests that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing the faint, white markings of very mild or mild enamel fluorosis.”

http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/safety/infant_formula.htm#1
 

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Academy of General Dentistry

“If you add fluoridated water to your infant's baby formula, you may be putting your child at risk of developing dental fluorosis...”

http://www.qualitydentistry.com/library/agd/fluoride.html
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Mayo Clinic 

“Regularly mixing a baby's formula with fluoridated tap water can provide enough fluoride to cause fluorosis — mild white streaks on the teeth or more severe pitting or staining of tooth enamel. Fluorosis can affect both baby teeth and permanent teeth.” 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-formula/MY00193/NSECTIONGROUP=2 

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Vermont Department of Health

“The Vermont Department of Health recommends mixing powdered or concentrated baby formula with water that is fluoride-free, or contains very low levels of fluoride, for feeding infants under 12 months of age. Recent studies have discovered the possibility that infants in this age group may be consuming more fluoride than necessary.” 

http://healthvermont.gov/news/2006/120806fluoride.aspx

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New York State Department of Health

Parents who are concerned about the risk of enamel fluorosis, can mix liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water.

http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/dental/fluoride_guidance_during_infancy.htm

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California Dental Association

"...mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with
fluoridated water on a regular basis for infants primarily fed in this
way may increase the chance of a child’s developing enamel fluorosis,"
according to the CDA's Feb 2010 Report, Oral Health During Pregnancy
and Early Childhood: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Health
Professionals. ( http://www.cdafoundation.org/library/docs/poh_guidelines.pdf
(Page 12)

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National Research Council In March 2006, the National Research Council (NRC) cautioned that infants can fluoride-overdose via reconstituted baby formula. The American Dental Association (ADA) passed this information on to its members in a November 2006 e-gram

http://www.ffo-olf.org/files/ADA_InfantsEgram_20061109.pdf
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Delta Dental 

If parents and caregivers are concerned about the potential for increasing a child’s risk of developing enamel fluorosis, breast feeding, ready-to-feed formula or powdered or liquid concentrate formula reconstituted with water that either is fluoride free or contains low concentrations of fluoride are an alternative. This type of water is often labeled “purified,” “demineralized,” “deionized,” “distilled” or “produced through reverse-osmosis.” 

http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/Search/22,DD63

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Minnesota Dental Association 

If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free, or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon.         

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/57490.php

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Maryland Government Agency 

Regularly mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water may increase your child's risk of developing faint white markings or streaks on the teeth -- a sign of mild enamel fluorosis.If you're concerned about fluorosis, you can minimize your baby's exposure to fluoride by using ready-to-feed formula. You can also alternate using tap water and nonfluoridated water for formula preparation, or mix powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with low-fluoride water most or all of the time. CDC also recommends that parents can use low-fluoride bottled water some of the time to mix infant formula; these bottled waters are labeled as de-ionized, purified, demineralized, or distilled.

http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/oralhealth/SitePages/community-water.aspx#formula

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Chester Water Authority (Chester, Pennsylvania)

"The ADA and the CDC recommend the following for the parents of infants: Parents should consider preparing powdered or liquid concentrate infant formulas using water that contains no or low levels of fluoride"

http://www.chesterwater.com/waterquality/CCR2013.pdf

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American Public Health Association: Policy Statement Database 

Recent evidence suggests that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis for infants primarily fed in this way may increase the chance of a child’s developing the faint white markings of very mild or mild enamel fluorosis. 

http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1373

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Des Moines Water Works 

Powdered or liquid concentrate infant formula can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride. These types of water are labeled as purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water http://www.dmww.com/upl/documents/water-quality/lab-reports/fact-sheets/fluoride.pdf 

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Broomfield, Colorado 

The American Dental Association has recommended that for infants being fed primarily reconstituted infant formula, a fluoride-free water source such as demineralized or distilled water be used to reduce fluoride intake. 

http://www.broomfield.org/documentcenter/view/2378

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Ormond Beach, Florida puts infant warning advisory on Annual Water Quality Report

http://www.ormondbeach.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2961

Dental Associations Advise Against Fluoride in Baby Formula

Although the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association both endorse fluoridated water as an effective way to prevent tooth decay, they have issued an advisory recommending that non-fluoridated bottled water be used in powdered or liquid-concentrate baby formula for infants.The advisories note that too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, resulting in a discoloration or streaks on teeth.

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The Colgate Oral Health Report, “Potential Fluorosis from
Fluoride Intake During Infancy and Early Childhood” Volume 21, Number 2, 2011 https://secure.colgateprofessional.com/app/cop/repository/article-651/frameset.jsp?middle=ocrindex.html

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Reference:

A) "Experts testify in favor of water fluoridation in Valparaiso,"

By James D. Wolf Jr. Post-Tribune correspondent June 20, 2014 

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/porter/28190263-418/experts-testify-in-favor-of-water-fluoridation-in-valparaiso.html#.U6QT6_ldW2E