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Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Exposure to fluoride is a contentious topic, mostly 
because exposure is everywhere. Not only is fluoride 
a common ingredient in toothpaste, many municipalities 
have a fluoridated water supply. Why? Well, the 
reason we’re given is that it encourages oral 
health… even though it’s not known to prevent 
harmful oral bacteria. [1] What is known is that 
fluoride is toxic. In fact, the number one reason 
for poison control calls concerning fluoride are for 
children who’ve eaten toothpaste. [2] [3] 
Long-term ingestion is harmful to the brain, 
digestive system, heart, bones… even the 
tooth enamel it’s supposed to help. [4] [5] [6] 
These next 9 shocking facts will make you 
take a second look at your exposure to fluoride.

1. Weakens Skeletal Health

Skeletal fluorosis is a condition resulting from fluoride 
consumption. The liver is unable to process fluoride, 
thus it passes into the bloodstream where it 
combines with calcium that’s been leeched from 
the skeletal system. You’re left with weak bones, 
otherwise known as skeletal fluorosis. The risk 
has been known about for decades yet it’s 
not been established how much exposure will 
trigger skeletal fluorosis… and the impact it 
has on quality of life is horrendous. [7] [8] [9] 
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid 
fluoride. Recently, Chinese authorities 
established a link between reductions in 
fluoride exposure and the incidence of fluorosis. [10]

2. Causes Arthritis

Fluoride has been shown to cause 
calcification of cartilage, the essential tissue 
for joint health. [11] Degenerative osteoarthritis 
has been linked to skeletal fluorosis. [12] 
And in a study of individuals suffering from fluorosis, 
osteoarthritis knee conditions occurred frequently. [13]

3. Toxic to the Thyroid

Iodine and fluoride belong to a family of compounds 
known as halogens. Although iodine is beneficial 
to the thyroid, fluoride is not. However, because 
of the similarities, the thyroid can absorb fluoride 
instead of iodine. This is bad. Fluoride is toxic to
 thyroid cells; it inhibits function and causes cell 
death. [14] For decades, fluoride was used to 
reduce thyroid function in individuals suffering 
from an overactive thyroid. [15] Now — and pay 
attention to this — the range used in water 
fluoridation matches the levels typically used 
to reduce thyroid function. [16]

4. Calcifies the Ultra-Important Pineal Gland

Although the full capabilities of the pineal gland 
have been the subject of debate for centuries, 
it’s known for certain that, at a minimum, the 
pineal gland regulates body rhythms and 
wake-sleep cycles; two extremely important 
functions. Fluoride is especially toxic to the pineal
gland, where it accumulates and calcifies the 
gland. In fact, by the time the average person 
reaches old age, their pineal gland will have 
higher calcium density than their bones. [17]

5. Accelerates Female Puberty

It also deserves mention that the pineal gland plays an 
integral role in the onset of puberty. Research has 
shown that girls living in areas prone to more fluoride 
exposure experience puberty earlier than girls exposed 
to less. [18] Fluoride’s damaging effect on 
sexual function only begins here…

6. Harmful to Male and Female Fertility

A direct link exists between fertility rates and 
fluoridated drinking water. Higher levels of fluoride 
correspond to lower fertility rates, particularly with 
drinking water levels of 3 ppm. [19] Animal models 
show that fluoride reduces reproductive hormones in 
females. [20] Men have it just as bad; those suffering 
from fluorosis have lower testosterone and fertility 
than men with limited fluoride exposure.[21]

7. Bad for Kidney Health

Fluoride is toxic to the kidneys and a higher rate of 
chronic kidney disease has been reported in areas 
where the water contains high levels of fluoride. [22] [23] 
According to Chinese researchers, a fluoride level of 
2 mg/L is all it takes to cause renal damage in children. [24] 
While water fluoridation levels are often much lower 
than this, the fluoride bombardment continues with
 toothpaste and other sources.

8. Harmful to the Cardiovascular System

Research suggests that exposure to fluoride causes 
cardiovascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. [25] [26] 
Other research has examined its effect on blood 
pressure but had mixed results. Regardless, despite that 
cardiovascular disease can have many causes, the evidence, 
and history show its incidence increases with exposure to fluoride.

9. Negative Cognitive Effects

The Fluoride Action Network reports that, as of May 2013, 
43 studies have examined the effect of fluoride on 
human intelligence. The results should motivate anyone 
to minimize their fluoride exposure. One observation 
is that fluoride negatively impacts children’s neural 
development. [27] Another is that children living in highly 
fluoridated areas have up to five times greater 
chance of developing a low IQ compared to those 
who do not. [28]

Reducing Your Exposure to Fluoride

Using non-fluoride toothpaste can immediately reduce 
your fluoride exposure. Maintaining healthy iodine levels 
can help protect the thyroid from fluoride. Fluoridated water 
is the largest concern and most water filters are not 
adequate for removing fluoride; instead look to a reverse 
osmosis water purification systems.
Have you made efforts to reduce your exposure and minimize 
the dangers of fluoride? What tips do you have? Please leave a 
comment below and share with us.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
Article References:
  1. Puciennik-Stronias M, Zarzycka B, Bo?tacz-Rzepkowska E. 
  2. The effects of topical fluoridation of enamel on the growth of cariogenic bacteria contained in the dental plaque. Med Dosw Mikrobiol. 2013;65(2):129-32.
  3. Shulman JD, Wells LM. Acute fluoride toxicity from ingesting home-use dental products in children, birth to 6 years of age. J Public Health Dent. 1997 Summer;57(3):150-8.
  4. Whitford GM. Acute toxicity of ingested fluoride. Monogr Oral Sci. 2011;22:66-80. doi: 10.1159/000325146. Epub 2011 Jun 23.
  5. C. J. Spak, S. Sjöstedt, L. Eleborg, B. Veress, L. Perbeck, and J. Ekstrand. Tissue response of gastric mucosa after ingestion of fluoride. BMJ. 1989 June 24; 298(6689): 1686–1687.
  6. Sauerheber R. Physiologic conditions affect toxicity of ingested industrial fluoride. J Environ Public Health. 2013;2013:439490. doi: 10.1155/2013/439490. Epub 2013 Jun 6.
  7. Perumal E, Paul V, Govindarajan V, Panneerselvam L. A brief review on experimental fluorosis.Toxicol Lett. 2013 Nov 25;223(2):236-51. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.09.005. Epub 2013 Sep 17.
  8. Czerwinski E, Nowak J, Dabrowska D, Skolarczyk A, Kita B, Ksiezyk M. Bone and joint pathology in fluoride-exposed workers. Arch Environ Health. 1988 Sep-Oct;43(5):340-3.
  9. Chachra D, Limeback H, Willett TL, Grynpas MD. The long-term effects of water fluoridation on the human skeleton. J Dent Res. 2010 Nov;89(11):1219-23. doi: 10.1177/0022034510376070. Epub 2010 Sep 21.
  10. Paiste M, Levine M, Bono JV. Total knee arthroplasty in a patient with skeletal fluorosis.Orthopedics. 2012 Nov;35(11):e1664-7. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20121023-29.
  11. Chen H, Yan M, Yang X, Chen Z, Wang G, Schmidt-Vogt D, Xu Y, Xu J. Spatial distribution and temporal variation of high fluoride contents in groundwater and prevalence of fluorosis in humans in Yuanmou County, Southwest China. J Hazard Mater. 2012 Oct 15;235-236:201-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.07.042. Epub 2012 Aug 8.
  12. Bang S, Boivin G, Gerster JC, Baud CA. Distribution of fluoride in calcified cartilage of a fluoride-treated osteoporotic patient. Bone. 1985;6(4):207-10.
  13. P. Roschger, P. Fratzl, S. Schreiber, G. Kalchhauser, H. Plenk, K. Koller, J. Eschberggrill, K. Klaushofer. Bone mineral structure after six years fluoride treatment investigated by backscattered electron imaging (BSEI) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS): a case report.Bone (Impact Factor: 3.82). 01/1995; 16(3):407-407. DOI:10.1016/8756-3282(95)90480-8.
  14. Savas S, Cetin M, Akdoan M, Heybeli N. Endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients: relationship with knee osteoarthritis. Rheumatology International. Rheumatol Int. 2001 Sep;21(1):30-5.
  15. Zeng Q, Cui YS, Zhang L, Fu G, Hou CC, Zhao L, Wang AG, Liu HL. Studies of fluoride on the thyroid cell apoptosis and mechanism. Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2012 Mar;46(3):233-6.
  16. Merck & Co. The Merck Index, 1968 Edition. Rahway NJ. USA. (last accessed (01-10-2014)
  17. FluorideAlert.org. Thyroid. (last accessed (01-10-2014)
  18. Luke J. Fluoride deposition in the aged human pineal gland. Caries Res. 2001 Mar-Apr;35(2):125-8.
  19. Luke J. The Effect of Fluoride on the Physiology of the Pineal Gland. Ph.D Dissertation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, UK. 1997.
  20. Freni SC. Exposure to high fluoride concentrations in drinking water is associated with decreased birth rates. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1994 May;42(1):109-21.
  21. Zhou Y, Qiu Y, He J, Chen X, Ding Y, Wang Y, Liu X. The toxicity mechanism of sodium fluoride on fertility in female rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Dec;62:566-72. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.09.023. Epub 2013 Sep 23.
  22. Susheela AK, Jethanandani P. Circulating testosterone levels in skeletal fluorosis patients. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1996;34(2):183-9.
  23. Chandrajith R, Nanayakkara S, Itai K, Aturaliya TN, Dissanayake CB, Abeysekera T, Harada K, Watanabe T, Koizumi A. Chronic kidney diseases of uncertain etiology (CKDue) in Sri Lanka: geographic distribution and environmental implications. Environ Geochem Health. 2011 Jun;33(3):267-78. doi: 10.1007/s10653-010-9339-1. Epub 2010 Sep 18.
  24. Chandrajith R, Dissanayake CB, Ariyarathna T, Herath HM, Padmasiri JP. Dose-dependent Na and Ca in fluoride-rich drinking water–another major cause of chronic renal failure in tropical arid regions. Sci Total Environ. 2011 Jan 15;409(4):671-5. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.10.046. Epub 2010 Nov 24.
  25. Liu JL, Xia T, Yu YY, Sun XZ, Zhu Q, He W, Zhang M, Wang A. [The dose-effect relationship of water fluoride levels and renal damage in children]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2005 May;34(3):287-8.
  26. Varol E, Varol S. Effect of fluoride toxicity on cardiovascular systems: role of oxidative stress.Arch Toxicol. 2012 Oct;86(10):1627. doi: 10.1007/s00204-012-0862-y. Epub 2012 May 10.
  27. Ma Y, Niu R, Sun Z, Wang J, Luo G, Zhang J, Wang J. Inflammatory responses induced by fluoride and arsenic at toxic concentration in rabbit aorta. Arch Toxicol. 2012 Jun;86(6):849-56. doi: 10.1007/s00204-012-0803-9. Epub 2012 Mar 16.
  28. Choi AL, Sun G, Zhang Y, Grandjean P. Developmental fluoride neurotoxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect. 2012 Oct;120(10):1362-8. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1104912. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
  29. Tang QQ, Du J, Ma HH, Jiang SJ, Zhou XJ. Fluoride and children’s intelligence: a meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008 Winter;126(1-3):115-20. doi: 10.1007/s12011-008-8204-x. Epub 2008 Aug 10.
Previous articles by Dr. Group:
About the author:
dr-edward-group-iiiDr. Edward F. Group founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.
Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the Internet.