Happy Friday Everyone! Welcome back to another Friday blog. Today I wanted to highlight the ugly truth about Fluoride (F). We've been told it is healthy for our teeth and perfectly safe - so safe, they put it in our drinking water. But is it safe? What is it really doing to our body? In a landmark court case that ended September 2024, Judge Edward Chen ordered the EPA to take regulatory action on fluoride levels, ruling that the evidence suggests fluoride in drinking water at current levels pose an "unreasonable risk" to health and of reduced IQ in children. Let's delve in.

Fluoride has been touted to restore the enamel on our teeth and prevent cavities in children. However, there are many nefarious actions of F. Further, there is NO KNOWN cellular function that requires F. One of the first visible signs of fluoride toxicity is dental fluorosis, which is discoloration and mottling of teeth - 23% of Americans aged 6-49 and 41% of children aged 12-15 exhibit fluorosis to some degree. These drastic increases in rates of dental fluorosis were a crucial factor in the Public Health Service’s decision to lower its water fluoridation level recommendations in 2015.

Did you realize it is a neurotoxin? This means it must pass through the blood brain barrier (BBB). How is it able to do this? Fluorine is the most reactive and electronegative chemical currently known. It interacts with many cations - including hydrogen - and metals - and tends to pass through the BBB as aluminum-fluoride - "Aluminum fluoride (AlF₃ or AlF₄) are phosphate mimics, and could theoretically cross the blood brain barrier through phosphate transporters."  Its strong electronegative property is the reason "forever" chemicals don't break down. There are 8,000-15,000 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyls) - 600 are currently used in the US.  These chemicals don't break down under natural environmental conditions and therefore, don't readily leave the body - and there's much speculation they may be root causes of hormone imbalance, dementias, cancers, mitochondrial diseases and more. They are used in non-stick cookware and has water-resistant properties used in fast-food containers and wrappers as well as microwave popcorn bags - even products we use on our skin and hair - and a whole list of other products. What is F doing inside the human body?

"It is the only halide with a positive pK_a (3.2), and therefore exists in acidic environments as its protonated form (HF). HF, commonly released as industrial or volcanic fumes, turns gaseous above 20. Fluoride is most toxic in its protonated form, and vertebrates that reside in areas near HF production often show symptoms of lung damage and fluoride toxicity."

Aluminum happens to be the most favorable metal to bind fluoride, but it also binds calcium, magnesium and zinc - disrupting their functions. We have heard for years how aluminum accumulation in brain tissue was 'linked' to the development of Alzheimer's. Could part of the real story be the even bigger inflammatory impact of the aluminum-fluoride molecule formed due to the powerful attraction of fluoride to aluminum? This molecule is not easily broken apart. If it is accumulating, causing local inflammation - and your brain is not able to get rid of it, does it not make sense it would trigger the formation of amyloid plaques to wall it off to protect the rest of the brain? Food for thought.

Calcium, magnesium and zinc are at much higher abundance and form complexes with fluoride inside the body. These complexes do not readily associate with other elements. So, what does this mean inside our body? Fluoride is going to be highly attracted to calcium deposits in the body - whether these deposits are on your Pineal gland disrupting melatonin production - or in arterial plaques - literally making atherosclerosis MUCH worse - depending on the level of fluoride exposure, as it causes osteosclerosis or hardening in bone and teeth. It is able to bind zinc inside the brain - increasing zinc levels through its attraction, contributing to tau-tangles. When it binds to magnesium, it makes it unavailable to do the thousands of jobs it needs to do, such as making ATP (energy) - as magnesium is involved with >800 enzymes. In my opinion, it is acting much like glyphosate as a metal chelator. It can render you both toxic and deficient in a mineral at the same time - by accumulation in one area while depleting other areas, rendering it unavailable to do its job.

The electronegative charge of F is so strong, it kicks iodine out - disturbing thyroid hormone production and interfering with the conversion of T4 to T3 - the active form. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and placenta during development, disrupting neural communication and causing inflammation. In our babies, it can significantly decrease intelligence - they are being exposed to F before they even have teeth through the placenta, and after being born through breast milk - and even MORE if they are fed formula because it is added to our drinking water. Researchers "found that prenatal fluoride exposure in rats was associated with hyperactivity that was comparable to that induced by amphetamines."

"Children and infants retain higher proportions of absorbed fluoride compared to adults, i.e., about 80–90%, as compared to about 50–60% in adults."

Since F is the most electronegative chemical in nature, it makes sense it could bind to our biological alkyl groups as well. These groups are part of larger molecules - lipids, proteins and hormones. Could F be forming these toxic substances on contact with our biomolecules - proteins, hormones and fats - rendering them non-functional? Here is a review of the literature published in 2020:

"The current body of knowledge suggest significant effects of that mineral on reducing sex hormone levels, which may consequently impair fertility and disrupt puberty. The majority of studies confirm that sodium fluoride increases TSH levels and decreases the concentrations of T3 and T4 produced by the thyroid. Moreover, a correlation was observed between NaF and increased secretion of PTH by the parathyroid glands, without a significant impact on body calcium levels. Probably, fluoride may exert adverse effects on insulin levels, impairing pancreatic function and resulting in abnormal glucose tolerance. Observations also include decreased levels of cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands."

Fluoride has negative effects on multiple organ systems: The current known mechanism of fluoride toxicity is broadly attributed to 4 primary mechanisms: inhibition of proteins, organelle disruption, altered pH, and electrolyte imbalance. "Broadly, fluoride triggers oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis." So, it literally causes inflammation, interrupts cell cycles and induces cell death - BUT IT IS PERFECTLY FINE TO PUT IN OUR DRINKING WATER! OMG...😮

1.Brain and Neurological system - Fluoride is a neurotoxin and is a contributing factor in dementia and Alzheimer's - could it be that we are slowly accumulating F and that it is gradually creating damage - we know damage is being done 20+ years before we begin to have symptoms. Here are some of the effects on the neurological system:

• Induces mitochondrial damage - F produces tremendous inflammation and disrupts mitochondrial replication and function - induces mitochondrial death and disrupts the generation of neurotransmitters the brain requires to communicate. It results in decreasing circulating mitochondrial DNA content, dysregulation of biogenesis and circular structure loss. We end up with less mitochondria able to make energy. F induces "the generation of superoxide anions; mitochondrial toxicity, e.g., opening of the transition pore; release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and induction of apoptosis; inhibition of migration, e.g., of embryonic neurons and sperm; increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in ameloblasts, the cell type responsible for enamel formation; increased expression of inflammatory factors, such as NF-kappa B and IL-8; and the modified release of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid." 
• Induces neuroinflammation - neurodevelopmental conditions and alterations - When an infant is given formula with fluoridated water, there is a significant decrease in IQ - between 6-9 points. Why? It induces INFLAMMATION and blocks antioxidant activity. "Fluoride not only exerted a negative effect on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, but also negated the positive effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on these enzymes (Cat, SOD, GPx, and GR) and lowered GSH concentration. This effect was observed after application of fluoride at a low (3 µM) concentration reflecting chronic environmental exposure levels...long-term upregulation of inflammatory response resulting from activation of microglia and astrocytes in neurodegenerative disease suggests an important role for neuroinflammation in neuronal dysfunction and death...It has also been established that overproduction of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α stimulates the synthesis of Aβ and IL-1 is associated with both the initiation and spread of neuroinflammation in AD." Obviously, this will eventually cause dementia and Alzheimer's in adulthood. 
• Disrupts ATP (energy) in the brain - "Fluoride-induced oxidative stress influences enzymes essential in ATP synthesis process, thus decreasing ATP bioavailability. As the consequence the changes in mtDNA are observed and the cell death occurs. ATP obtaining in mitochondrion can also be altered in consequence to fluoride exposition due to the impaired glucose metabolism in neurons." 
• Disrupts other mineral's bioavailability and function - "Exposure to fluoride is a very likely factor potentiating biochemical changes caused by inadequate levels of zinc. In zinc deficiency, exposure to pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative fluoride is likely to accelerate and intensify the production of ROS, thus leading to oxidative stress, which may exacerbate the signaling pathways associated with inflammation...there is evidence recognizing the Mg deficiency as the factor contributing to the initiation of neurogenic inflammation."
• Alters "glucose and insulin homeostasis in the blood during fluoride exposure could lead to nutrient depletion and downstream stress in the nervous system."

2.Microbiome - Fluoride kills our microbiome. It is toxic to our oral and gut microbes causing microbiome dysbiosis. This alters the oral and intestinal production of NO (nitric oxide) that dilates arteries, lowers blood pressure, signals for glucose uptake and a host of other signaling instructions that normally would take place. It also disrupts bacterial production of B vitamins and other signaling molecules.

3.Disrupts/disables metalloproteins and inhibits protein synthesis - There is an estimated 30%-50% of proteins that require metal and are therefore susceptible to being disrupted by binding F, which inhibits "a range of phosphatases, kinases, hydrolases, and other metalloproteins in vitro. As of 2018, the protein databank has collected over 700 proteins crystallized in complex with fluoride (RCSB). Over 100 of these have had separate, independent enzymatic studies for fluoride inhibition in vitro." Enolase happens to be one of the most cited proteins disrupted by F. Its function is integral in the final steps of glycolysis (breaking down of glucose). This is CRUCIAL in our energy production. Toxicity of F is greatly enhanced when binding to metal - particularly aluminum and beryllium, creating the most toxic compounds and inhibiting phosphoryl-transfer enzymes essential for metabolism, gene regulation and signal transduction.

4.Alters pH and electrolyte balance - "At both the single- and multi-cellular level, fluoride exposure causes acidification and electrolyte imbalance." Inside the cell, F causes acidification - this creates a state ripe for cancer to start. How? Acidic intracellular environments damage DNA and proteins that lead to cell death and/or cancer. Have you ever eaten ceviche? You cook your fish in lemon juice or acid because it denatures or permanently damages protein. "Fluoride inhibits metabolism through an unclear mechanism, the downstream effects include reduction in intracellular ATP and damage to the mitochondria. ATP is reduced both in cells containing mitochondria – which display signs of permanent damage and reduced respiration after fluoride exposure – and in erythrocytes (red blood cells), which lack mitochondria and produce ATP solely through anaerobic glycolysis. ATP depletion leads to the hydrolysis of ATP into ADP and AMP along with the release of protons, consequently leading to intracellular acidification." 

5.Toxic to organelles - these are the tiny organs inside our cells that have jobs to perform. F causes stress to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and interferes with Golgi stacking, mitochondrial function, ATP production and much more. Mitochondria control the cell cycle, so cell death occurs...or a cell begins to divide out of control=cancer. 

6.Damages DNA - "Fluoride-exposed cells undergo intensive DNA damage, presumably through free radical oxidation. Fluoride triggers both single- and double-stranded DNA damage following oxidative stress."

7.Negatively affects digestion and absorption of nutrients - Up to 96% of fluoride forms HF (hydrogen fluoride) and can dissociate in equilibrium across the stomach lining. Nonetheless, only 25% of ingested fluoride is thought to be absorbed by the stomach and pass on to other cells; the rest of the fluoride is moved to the intestines (Kanduti et al. 2016). The majority of ingested fluoride is absorbed by the small intestine. Just ~10% of consumed fluoride is never absorbed by the body and excreted through feces (Whitford 1994; Buzalaf et al. 2015). Fluoride has been hypothesized to pass through the small intestines as its anion form F^- (Nopakun and Messer 1990). Because of fluoride’s reactivity, the nutrients ingested along with fluoride, especially those rich in calcium, influence the amount of fluoride absorbed by the intestines (Whitford 1994). 

8.Negatively affects dental enamel - "Ameloblasts, or cells that function in depositing enamel, are present in the gums of organisms developing new teeth. Fluoride exposure to ameloblasts in cell culture causes endoplasmic reticulum stress, DNA fragmentation, cytoskeleton defects, protein synthesis inhibition, reduced secretion of enamel matrix proteins, and eventual apoptosis" - cell death.

9.Skeletal fluorosis - This is the most severe form of chronic fluoride toxicity and "leads to a change in mineral formation, as well as stress to surrounding cells. The uptake of fluoride into bone results in the conversion of the bone mineral hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite, which alters the general bone lattice and reduces its overall strength." Even though F stimulates osteoblasts - cells involved in new bone formation - and increases overall bone density, "the bone matrix is disrupted by fluoride, and the improved bone mass is of lower quality and more likely to fracture."

10.Metabolic dysfunction - F inhibits glycolysis (glucose metabolism), leading to elevated blood glucose - as well as ATP production. Further, depending on the exposure, can inhibit insulin secretion - disrupting cellular metabolism.

11.Endocrine disruptor - officially classified by the National Research Council in 2006 as an endocrine disruptor for its ability to inhibit the thyroid at high concentrations. Exposure to fluoride can lead to a decrease in the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). 

Obviously, there is a LOT of damage to MULTIPLE organ systems - more damage taking place in the body than what we have discovered to this point. So, what can we DO about this? 

• Filter your water - either you filter your water, or your body becomes the filter! 😮 The best option is a reverse osmosis system for your whole house - to filter PFAS, chlorine, fluoride and other toxins and medications from your drinking as well as bathing and cooking water. The next best would be to get a shower head filter and use a good drinking water filter. 
• Stop using fluoride toothpaste - there are amazing brands without fluoride now that re-mineralize your teeth naturally with nano-hydroxyapatite - the original substance teeth are made with.
• Stop using mouthwash - many brands contain fluoride and mouthwash kills your oral microbiome. Instead, use about 1-2t EVOO and swish x 5 min after brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping to decrease plaque by nearly 50%, whiten teeth, feed oral microbiome, kill oral pathogens and prevent microbial translocation into the brain, thus preventing Alzheimer's and dementias!!
• Breastfeed and drink filtered water - don't use infant formula made with city drinking water and packaged, then you add water to mix and your baby gets a double dose. 
• Be mindful of tea, coffee, and other beverages prepared with tap water - this happens a lot at restaurants and coffee shops.
• Consume HP-EVOO (high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil) - Polyphenols are highly anti-inflammatory and can neutralize ROS (reactive oxygen species) and RNS (reactive nitrogen species) - free radicals. EVOO improves cell membrane fluidity to enhance uptake of nutrients and removal of waste, Oleic Acid and polyphenols in EVOO heal the gut lining, BBB, and cell membranes, feed microbiome, feed mitochondria, imparts protective health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor/cancer, "systemic and neurodegenerative diseases, amyloid diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) disease, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome (MetS); the latter includes, in addition to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), CVDs and non-alcoholic hepatitis. These pathologies are characterized by several common features, including, among others, derangement of proteostasis and the redox equilibrium and a remarkable inflammatory response that heavily impair the biochemical and functional features of the affected tissues." 

So, until next time my friends…Drink, Drizzle, Digest HP-EVOO at least 4T raw daily, - use more for cooking and drizzling onto your food - eat the rainbow of organic or wild-sourced or organic veggies (7-9 C) and low-glycemic fruits (to get the rainbow of gut microbes!) - eat wild-caught, pasture-raised, grass-fed - get plenty of sunshine - supplement magnesium, zinc, vitamin D3 + K2 - get your trace minerals and electrolytes with good sea salt - Celtic is hand-harvested and Himalayan was formed before plastics - eat foods high in lutein - drink your body weight in oz of water - get a good pre/probiotic - consume digestible and indigestible fiber for your gut microbes - adaptogens (such as mushrooms) and methylation donors (kale, beets, spinach, cruciferous, lion’s mane…), marjoram, rosemary, oregano, parsley and other herbs to detox, enhance overall health and reverse aging and disease - exercise your body and mind - add a few minutes of mindful meditation and breathing exercises to your day to combat stress - take a hot Epsom salt bath and follow with a cold shower/ice plunge - practice “earthing” as an anti-inflammatory - remove EMF (electromagnetic frequency) devices and blue light - use IR (infrared) from incandescent lighting, non-toxic candle or light a fire to enhance sleep and...turn off the light!!   #HP-EVOO