ADHD - Is it in the Water? Fluoride, Lead, and ADHD

ADHD - Is it in the Water? Fluoride, Lead, and ADHD
by Tess Messer

the US when doctors in Colorado found that people with a certain type of tooth
mottling, that turned out to be caused by fluoride exposure, were less likely to get
cavities. Dental health was a major issue in the mid-1900s and communities started
in the 1970s to implement widespread fluoridation programs. The rate of dental
cavities decreased by 20-60 percent and the water fluoridation program was
heralded as a huge success.

Today almost 70% of the US population drinks artificially fluridated water; 13 million
school children use fluoride rinses and over 200 million Americans drink fluorinated
water. Since the beginning of widespread water fluoridation there have been
concerns regarding health risks. Opponents of fluoridation programs claim that
fluoride is toxic and that it causes infant disease and mortality. They report that
Japan has the lowest infant mortality rate in the world largely because of their
decision to not implement a national fluoridation program.

Most previous studies have shown fluoridation to be safe and to not cause adverse
outcomes. It is possible that recent research will produce more positive findings
because the researchers will have taken into account the interaction of genes and
environmental toxins. Studies showing how exposures in the environment and genes
interact have shed light on the possibility that certain genes may make us more
susceptible to the accumulation of certain heavy medals such as lead. Other studies,
such as this one, may show that while fluoride is safe in the general population,
certain populations may be at risk for blood lead accumulation.

The fluoride study in Toxicology was done as follows. The researchers exposed
Wister rats (a sub strain or Wister rats have been found to be good models for
Inattentive ADHD) to fluoride levels comparable to the fluoride levels that are
normally found in humans. These researchers found that these rats accumulated lead
in their blood systems and subsequently developed blood lead levels that were
dangerously high. Several other older studies have found high lead levels in
communities with silica-fluoridation programs. The lead risks in these communities
and in others may be further increased because some of the products used for
fluoridation also contain lead.

Most toothpaste for very young children does not contain fluoride. The bubble
gummed flavored Barnie and Barbie toothpaste are fluorine free. Many dentist
specifically warn parents to avoid the toothpaste without fluoride and they often
prescribe a fluoride rinse for kids. Young children's toothpaste are fluoride free for a
reason, to avoid exposing young children to dangerous levels of fluoride. Parents
should be cautious regarding heeding the advice of dentist prescribing additional
fluoride for their young children.

Fluoridated water is clearly more of a risk to children. Developing brains are more
susceptible to brain insult from heavy medals and from other toxins. It is no longer a
novel finding that increased blood lead levels in very young children is known to
predispose them to poor cognitive outcomes.

I feel that, in light of the current findings regarding fluoride, parents should monitor
their children's lead level, limit the use of fluoride rinses in very young children, and
should stick to the non-fluorinated toothpastes for children under 10 years of age. I
should hope that this Toxicology study will initiate a public health inquiry into the risks
associated with fluoride and ADHD as well as other attention disorders.

About The Author

Tess Messer

For more information on Primarily Inattentive ADHD please visit Tess Messer at
. There you will find
information on ADHD symptoms, ADHD treatment, alternatives to medications,
Information on ADHD vitamins and supplements and much more. Looking forward to
meeting you there!

Scientists have recently discovered
that even very low levels of lead,
levels once considered safe, can
increase the risk of inattention, ADHD
and other attention disorders. A new
study just published in the journal
Toxicology has now linked water
fluoridation to increased lead levels.
This is a major public health problem
as most of the Western world drinks
fluorinated water. Water Fluorination
may be increasing our risk and our
children's risk of ADHD or of other
cognitive problems.

The history of fluoridation started in

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.