Fluoride Toxicity: The Hidden Threat to Your Health

What do infertility, ADHD, diabetes, cancer, thyroid issues, and brain disease (including lowered IQ, dementia, and Alzheimer's) have in common? Fluoride toxicity! (not to leave out bromine and chlorine — more on that later). A host of symptoms and diseases occur thanks to this chemical being touted as crucial for tooth health and therefore added to water, toothpaste, processed food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.

Real Cases from Our Practice

Here are some recent examples from my office that illustrate the real-world impact of fluoride accumulation:

A colleague of mine who was unable to get pregnant asked me for a consultation. Upon examining her body, I found a toxin in her ovaries, and on query it went to a childhood toxin. More questioning led to discovery of fluoride. Fluoride accumulation in the ovaries was interfering with her fertility in association with fluoride replacing iodine and causing dysfunction of her thyroid (hypothyroidism) — a well-known cause of infertility.

A young pregnant woman also presented and tested positive for fluoride exposure. We know that if the mother has enough iodine in her body, the baby's IQ can be 17 points higher. The only thing that rivals that would be Omega-3s — particularly DHA — for babies' brains. These findings underscore the critical importance of educating everyone I can about the dangers of fluoride, especially to developing brains.

The good news? My colleague is expecting a baby in November! And the young mother is working to get fluoride out of her life and supplement with the iodine needed for her new baby's brain.

Understanding Fluoride: Not All Forms Are Equal

You might know that fluoride is a natural mineral and element on the periodic table — so how harmful can it be? The key distinction is this: there are different forms of fluoride, and the ones used in our water and dental products are not the naturally occurring, relatively harmless type. Industrial fluoride compounds — such as sodium fluoride and fluorosilicic acid — are byproducts of industrial manufacturing processes and have very different biological effects than naturally occurring calcium fluoride.

The Research: What Science Says

Cognitive Impairment & IQ Reduction

Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease

Cancer Risk

Thyroid & Hormonal Disruption

Diabetes & Insulin Resistance

Local Action: Hotchkiss Moratorium

Citizens in many US cities have presented this information to their town and city councils with mixed results. Close to home, the Hotchkiss Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place a one-year moratorium on fluoridation after Trustee Webb pointed out that studies have shown fluoride to be a toxin harmful to children's brain development.

As reported in the High Country Shopper (March 20, 2024): "Many U.S. cities and countries around the world have banned adding fluoride to their water supply. I don't know if we want to have any part in adding this to our water."

Unfortunately, this was subsequently rescinded after pressure from dental health professionals. The fight continues.

Landmark Federal Court Ruling — September 2024

In a decision that could end the practice of water fluoridation in the United States, Federal Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California ruled on September 24, 2024 that water fluoridation at current U.S. levels poses an "unreasonable risk" of reduced IQ in children.

The ruling concludes a seven-year lawsuit brought by organizations including the Fluoride Action Network, Moms Against Fluoridation, and Food & Water Watch. The law dictates that the EPA must now take regulatory action, though the specific form of that action remains to be determined.

The American Dental Association responded by stating it remains "staunchly in support" of community water fluoridation. The debate continues — but the scientific evidence is shifting decisively.

What We Do in Our Family

Personally, we do not allow our dentist to use fluoride with our children or ourselves. If your dentist won't respect that, find another one. It took us going through a few before we found one supportive of our preferences — they use a pumice tooth buffer instead of fluoride toothpaste.

We don't use fluoridated toothpaste at home. There are many excellent alternatives, and the cheapest option is to make your own tooth powder and practice regular oil pulling and water irrigation of gums and teeth. We also use water filters for all drinking and cooking water to filter chlorine, fluoride, and other metals and toxins.

Since we are all exposed to halogens and deficient in iodine, we find easy ways to supplement this essential nutrient. Be sure to supplement extra iodine, Vitamin C, or glutathione if you go swimming in chlorinated pools.

Key Takeaways

• Fluoride in water and dental products is an industrial compound — not the naturally occurring form
• Research links it to reduced IQ, dementia, cancer, thyroid dysfunction, fertility issues, and diabetes
• A federal court has now confirmed it poses "unreasonable risk" to children's brains
• You can significantly reduce exposure with water filters, fluoride-free dental products, and iodine supplementation
• Iodine supplementation is especially important because fluoride displaces iodine in your body

These are small but critically important ways to limit your toxic burden. Your body — and especially your children's developing brains — will thank you.

To your health,
Dr. Alexander Gilmore, D.C.