Health experts have been unable to agree on whether fluoride in the drinking water may be toxic to the developing human brain.
High levels of fluoride are known to cause neurotoxicity in adults, and negative impacts on memory and learning have been reported in rodent studies, but little is known about the substance’s impact on children’s neurodevelopment.
In a meta-analysis, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and China Medical University in Shenyang for the first time combined 27 studies and found strong indications that fluoride may adversely affect cognitive development in children.
Based on the findings, the authors say that this risk should not be ignored, and that more research on fluoride’s impact on the developing brain is warranted.
“Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” senior author Grandjean says. “The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”
This study was published online in Environmental Health Perspectives on July 20, 2012.
Dr. Aristotle's Comment:
Toothpaste without fluoride is always an option.
One of my favorites is the PerioBiotic Toothpaste with probiotics in either spearmint of fennel flavors and no fluoride.
You can find it in your in your Healthwave/FullScript Account. (Click here)
If you don't have a Healthwave/Fullscript account, you can create one here and have access to Dr. Aristotle's recommended products.