Fluoride has been added to drinking water since the 1940s, with the goal of reducing cavities. But over the years, the debate about whether fluoride is truly beneficial—or even safe—has only grown louder. With more than 1,400 studies since 2000 alone, many are now focusing on the potential risks of fluoride exposure.
Lately, there’s been a lot of concern about fluoride’s potential to act as a developmental neurotoxin, especially when it comes to its impact on children. Some studies have raised alarm bells, suggesting that high fluoride levels in drinking water might be linked to lower IQs in children, which raises serious questions about its safety—especially for pregnant women.
This growing focus on the possible health risks of fluoride has stirred up a lot of debate. Public health experts, scientists, and even media outlets are weighing in. Many now advise being cautious with fluoride, particularly for expecting mothers, pointing to studies that compare fluoride’s risks to those of heavy metals like lead and arsenic. What started as a conversation about preventing cavities has now become a much bigger discussion about the potential hidden dangers of fluoride.
To dive deeper into these concerns, researchers have been reviewing a wide range of studies—from human population research to animal experiments and lab tests. These findings are leading to a growing reconsideration of fluoride’s role in public health, sparking more questions about whether the potential risks might actually outweigh the long-standing benefits we’ve been told about for decades. It’s prompting many to take a closer, more critical look at fluoride’s true impact.
Fluoride Is Not Prevalent Around the Globe
Many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, have banned water fluoridation. According to Dr. James Rota, a biological dentist, these nations, along with China and Japan, concluded that adding fluoride to drinking water is “ineffective, toxic, and should not be used.” The Fluoride Action Network (FAN) highlights that only about 5% of the world’s population drinks water with added fluoride, with the majority being in the U.S. Interestingly, countries that don’t fluoridate their water have similar rates of tooth decay compared to those that do, raising questions about the necessity and safety of water fluoridation.
How Fluoride Acts in the Body
Fluoride’s effects in the body are a bit of a mystery. It interacts with proteins, especially enzymes, and at higher concentrations, it typically inhibits their activity. Interestingly, at lower levels, it might even promote cell growth, but we’re still not entirely sure how it works within our cells. What we do know is that too much fluoride can cause some real damage—it can generate harmful free radicals, mess with our mitochondria, and even trigger cell death, particularly in neurons and sperm cells. High levels of fluoride have also been shown to weaken the immune system, reducing essential immune cells and antibodies. While many studies have looked into these issues, the full impact of fluoride, especially at lower exposure levels, remains an ongoing debate.
Recently, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) released a long-awaited report that highlights the connection between fluoride exposure and neurotoxic effects in children. Despite facing significant pushback from public health officials, the report confirms with “moderate confidence” that higher fluoride levels in drinking water are consistently linked to lower IQs in kids. After years of attempts to block these findings, this report underscores the potential risks fluoride poses to children’s brain development, making the conversation around fluoride’s safety more pressing than ever.
This is just one example of the dangers of fluoride in our “diet”; fluoride is touted as essential for dental health and drinking water, but is also very controversial. Fluoride exposure isn’t just coming from water and toothpaste; it is also the basis of PFOAS, PFOS, and PFAS. It is even the base of Teflon®, the brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a synthetic polymer used for its non-stick and heat-resistant properties.
These chemicals are called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’
“Forever chemicals,” or PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), are synthetic chemicals designed to resist heat, water, and oil, which makes them incredibly useful in a wide range of products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. However, their resistance to breaking down means they persist in the environment and accumulate in our bodies over time. What makes these chemicals so concerning is that they’re linked to various health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system harm. The worst part? Once they’re in our environment or bodies, they’re almost impossible to eliminate, hence the name “forever chemicals.”
Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Behavioral Problems
A recent study has raised serious concerns about the impact of fluoride exposure during pregnancy on children’s brain development. Conducted in Los Angeles, where the water is fluoridated, this research is one of the first to dive into these effects in a U.S. population. Researchers looked at urine samples from 229 pregnant women during their third trimester and found a strong connection between higher fluoride levels and increased behavioral issues in their children by age three. These issues ranged from ADHD-like symptoms to anxiety and emotional reactivity, with a particularly concerning link to autism spectrum symptoms.
What’s even more alarming is that just a small increase in the mother’s fluoride levels was associated with an 83% higher likelihood of the child scoring in the “borderline” or “clinical” range for overall behavioral problems. This study sheds light on the potential risks fluoride exposure during pregnancy might have on a child’s developing brain, possibly leading to long-term behavioral and cognitive challenges. It’s a reminder that we need to pay closer attention to how fluoride exposure could be affecting the most vulnerable—our kids.
Side Effects of Fluoride
In addition to low IQ and behavioral issues in children, here are some additional potential dangers of fluoride consumption through water, toothpaste, or any type of “fluoro” chemical:
- Dental Fluorosis: Overconsumption of fluoride during childhood can lead to dental fluorosis, causing white spots, stains, or even pitting on teeth, which can be permanent.
- Skeletal Fluorosis: Long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride may result in skeletal fluorosis, making bones brittle and increasing the risk of fractures and joint pain.
- Thyroid Disruption: Excessive fluoride intake might interfere with thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism, characterized by symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression. As the rising cases of hypothyroidism in the U.S. have been loosely connected to fluoride exposure, studies suggest that fluoride might have an “antithyroid” effect, particularly under certain conditions. If your iodine levels are low, fluoride could more significantly disrupt your thyroid function, increasing the likelihood of developing hypothyroidism.
- ADHD and Behavioral Issues: Fluoride has been connected to increasing attention issues, mood disorders, anxiety, and increased reactivity in children.
- Neurological Concerns: Some studies suggest that high fluoride levels could negatively impact cognitive development in children, potentially lowering IQ. This raises concerns about fluoride’s effects on the brain not only in children but in adults as well.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Ingesting high amounts of fluoride can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting, particularly from supplements or highly fluoridated water.
- Bone Density Concerns: Fluoride accumulation in bones might make them denser but more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures over time.
- Potential Toxicity: Acute fluoride toxicity, though rare, can occur with extremely high doses, leading to symptoms like muscle spasms, respiratory distress, or even cardiac failure.
- Cancer Risk: Linked to kidney, testicular, and other cancers. The increase in cancer and tumor growth is due to fluoride disrupting normal cell behavior.
- Hormonal Disruption: Affects thyroid function, hormonal balance, and reproductive health.
- Immune System Suppression: Weakens the immune response, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Developmental Issues: Causes low birth weight and developmental delays in children.
- Liver Damage: Leads to liver enzyme changes and potential liver damage.
- Increased Cholesterol: Raises cholesterol levels, contributing to heart disease.
- Kidney Disease: Associated with kidney damage and potential kidney disease.
- Decreased Fertility: Affects fertility and reproductive health in both men and women.
- Endocrine Disruption: Alters hormone regulation, leading to metabolic issues.
- Accelerated Aging: Accelerates the aging process by affecting cellular function.
- Genetic Damage: Causes genetic damage, potentially leading to mutations.
- Arthritis: Contributes to arthritis and joint pain through its impact on bone health.
- DNA Disruption: Interrupts DNA repair mechanisms, increasing the risk of genetic errors.
- Persistent Environmental Impact: Remains in the environment and accumulates over time, impacting ecosystems and wildlife.
How to Prevent Fluoride Toxicity
The most obvious way to avoid side effects from too much fluoride in the body is to avoid it. However, we all will consume some fluoro-based toxins due to the ubiquitous nature of the chemical in modern-day society.
Iodine and Fluoride
Iodine supplementation is the most effective way to prevent fluoride from staying in the body in addition to kicking existing fluoride out of the body. This is due to Chemical Displacement and Competitive Inhibition.
Let’s break down the concept of displacement and competitive inhibition in a more relatable way.
Chemical Displacement: When it comes to elements in the same group of the periodic table, there’s this natural tendency for the lighter ones (Fluoride) to push out the heavier ones (Iodine) from the same “spot” they’re all trying to occupy. This happens because they share the same number of electrons in their outer shell, making them very similar in behavior. For instance, in Group 7 (or VII in Roman numerals), which includes Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, and Iodine, Fluorine—being the lightest—tends to displace Iodine.
Competitive Inhibition: On the flip side, there’s competitive inhibition, where the heavier element (Iodine) can kick out the lighter one (Fluoride), but this only happens when there’s a lot of the heavier element around. For example, taking higher doses of Iodine can help push out the other halogens (like Fluoride and Chlorine) that have snuck into our systems. But the problem is, we’ve been misled about Iodine for years, making it seem scarier than it is.
Another good example of this is Calcium (from Group 2) displaces Magnesium in our bodies because we’re often overloaded with Calcium through fortified foods. The same principle applies to Magnesium, which can naturally dissolve excess Calcium, one of the culprits behind aging.
The Essential Role of Iodine in the Body
Iodine goes beyond just protecting you from fluoride. It is essential for the following:
- Cell Membrane Health: Iodine stabilizes cell membranes by forming protective “iodolipids”, (made up of iodine and fat) that guard against toxins, ensuring cells function properly.
- Thyroid Balance: Iodine is crucial for producing thyroid hormones (T2, T3, T4), which regulate metabolism, heart rate, and fat burning. The numbers 2,3, and 4 represent the number of iodine molecules.
- Metabolism Booster: Iodine-driven thyroid hormones manage metabolism and body temperature, preventing weight gain and energy slumps.
- Cellular Health: Supports apoptosis, helping the body remove unhealthy cells, and is crucial for cancer prevention.
- Energy Production: Essential for ATP production in mitochondria, keeping you energized.
- Breast Health: Adequate iodine is linked to lower rates of breast cancer and fibrocystic disease.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Helps reduce insulin needs in diabetics, aiding in blood sugar management.
- Protein Synthesis: Critical for converting protein into muscles and tissues, impacting overall body function.
- Pathogen Fighter: Iodine’s antimicrobial properties protect against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
- Inflammation Reducer: Supports immune function and helps reduce inflammation.
- Detoxification: Aids in removing harmful substances like bromine, chlorine, fluorine, heavy metals, and radiation.
- Hormonal Balance: Balances estrogen, supports testosterone levels, and addresses issues like fibroids and PCOS.
- Hydration & Antioxidation: Acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and keeping cells hydrated.
- Cognitive Health: Boosts brain function, prevents mental decline, and increases serotonin by eliminating parasites.
- Heart Health: Supports thyroid function, helping to prevent heart disease.
- EMF Protection: Protects against electromagnetic frequencies from electronic devices.
- Pregnancy Support: Ensures proper fetal development, preventing low IQ in children.
- Disease Treatment: Used in high doses for treating diseases and promoting wound healing.
- Spiritual Well-being: Nourishes the pineal gland, supporting spiritual growth.
- Mood Improvement: Helps alleviate depression by supporting thyroid health.
In today’s toxic world, iodine is not just vital; it’s a key player in maintaining health, energy, and well-being.
The Best Source of Iodine: Acceleradine®
When it comes to iodine supplementation, quality matters. Many iodine supplements on the market come from contaminated sources or are bound to other molecules like potassium or sodium iodide. This means your body has to break them down before it can use them, which isn’t always efficient—especially if your immune system or mitochondrial health isn’t optimal.
This is where Acceleradine® Iodine shines. It’s the only iodine supplement made from pure, natural, singlet active iodine (I-) suspended in alcohol and enhanced with scalar frequencies. This unique form offers the most effective bioavailability, meaning your body can immediately absorb and utilize the iodine in every cell.
Unlike other supplements, Acceleradine® isn’t bound to other atoms, making it incredibly efficient. Even if you’re dealing with compromised health, this single atom of iodine is easily absorbed and put to work, supporting your overall wellness at a cellular level.
In essence, Acceleradine® Iodine is a game-changer for those who want the most effective and pure form of iodine to support their health.
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.
