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Fluoride & Chloride: Both elements share left / right-sided cell receptors and are considered
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essential to human health - although there is still controversy among some authorities in regard to
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the essentiality of fluoride and its value in human nutrition.
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Fluorine (F) is an essential hardening component of bone and it is present at about 4% as calcium
fluoride, however while too little fluoride has a weakening effect on bone, too much fluoride causes
brittleness of bone and thus increases fracture rates. Much of the controversy surrounding fluoride
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comes from its legislated addition to city water in many municipalities in an effort to reduce dental
caries in children.
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There are clearly two very divided camps arguing for and against the benefits of fluoridation of
municipal drinking water, with one side claiming a 30% -70% reduction in dental caries and reduced
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fractures with osteoporosis, while the other side refers to research studies showing an increase in
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hip fractures instead and proof that dental caries declined as much in non-fluoridated municipalities
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as in the fluoridated ones. In addition, they argue that in certain regions, there is an excess of fluoride,
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which has resulted in mottling of teeth in children, and that numerous studies have implicated high
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fluoride intake as being responsible for lowered IQ and learning ability. There are also fluoridated and
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non-fluoridated city to city comparisons, where statistics show thousands of cancer deaths attributable
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to mandatory fluoridation of public water systems.
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Assessments of these studies prepared for the Canadian Government by the Faculty of Dentistry at the
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University of Toronto had this to say regarding any correlation of high fluoride to lowered IQ and cancer:
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-- Re IQ: "Recent studies emanating from China have claimed that children exposed to high levels of
fluoride have lower IQ's than children exposed to low levels. The two studies claiming such an effect are
deeply flawed and provide no credible evidence that fluoride obtained from water or industrial pollution
affects the intellectual development of children." --
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-- Re Cancer: "The few studies published during the review period do not challenge earlier research
showing that there is no reason to believe that exposure to fluoridated water increases the risk of
cancer in bones or other body tissues. While an ecological study did suggest an association with
uterine cancer, the limitations of this kind of study in terms of linking exposures and outcomes in
individuals, mean that it does not contradict the evidence derived from more systematic and
scientifically credible case-control studies." --
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A 1990 fluoride study confirmed an increase in cancers of the oral mucus membranes (squamous cell
carcinoma) in rats; a rare form of osteosarcoma appeared at double the rate in males as females; and
there was an increase in thyroid follicular cell tumors, and liver cancer. However, a 1991 review by the
U.S. Public Health Service concluded that there is no evidence that fluoride causes cancer in humans.
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The incidence of bone cancer in males below the age of 20 has risen since 1973, but the panel
concluded that this is not related to fluoridation.
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The Public Health Service review recommended further studies to determine the relationship between
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fluoride intake and bone fractures. The National Research Council also concluded that current levels of
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fluoride in drinking water do not increase the risk of kidney disease, birth defects or intestinal problems.
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A number of European countries have now abandoned the fluoridation of public water systems, while
the controversy on this continent continues...
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Chlorine (Cl) exists primarily as the chloride anion that joins with cations such as sodium to make salt
(sodium chloride) and with hydrogen to make stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), but while chloride is a
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constituent of stomach acid, high or low chloride levels are not an actual indicator of stomach acid
levels. It is necessary for protein digestion (pepsin), B12 absorption (intrinsic factor) and absorption
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of metallic minerals. When stomach acid is neutralized, chloride is reabsorbed by the intestine and
recycled.
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Being one of the electrolytes, chloride works closely with sodium and potassium and is part of the
controlled regulation of acid-alkaline balance. Heavy perspiration can cause a considerable amount
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of sodium chloride and potassium to be lost.
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Chlorine is used in treating drinking water, swimming pools, hot tubs, etc,. to kill bacteria and other
microorganisms. It is also a building block for PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and numerous other chemicals
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such as antifreeze, pesticides, refrigerants, and anti-knock compounds. As sodium hypochlorite, or
bleach, it is widely used as a disinfectant and in bleaching. Mixing bleach with other cleaning agents,
such as ammonia, can expose children or the elderly to dangerous gases.
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Some studies claim that more than half of our harmful exposure to chlorine is due to the inhalation of
steam and skin absorption while showering, with the steam containing up to 50x the chemical levels
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compared to drinking water, and with chlorine and most other contaminants vaporizing faster and at a
lower temperature than water. In addition, inhaled chlorine gas (chloroform) goes directly into our blood
stream, subsequently bypassing the kidneys and digestive system where it would be partly filtered out.
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There is also much concern about the levels of residual chlorine in drinking water, because excess
chlorine is thought to combine with certain organic water pollutants to form toxic chemicals and
carcinogens such as trihalomethanes.
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Several epidemiological studies, including research from the National Cancer Institute and 10 other
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organizations linked the chlorination of drinking water to increasing an individual's risk of developing
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bladder cancer, with some of the studies also claiming a higher incidence of Hodgkin's disease,
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colorectal, esophageal and breast cancer. According to these claims, women with breast cancer have
50 - 60% higher levels of organochlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissue compared to
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women without breast cancer. Chlorination has also been associated with declining sperm counts,
male infertility, and circulatory disturbances based on some animal studies.
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 * * *
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Fluoride and Chloride interact with beta-carotene, whereby a high intake increases absorption and
storage of both elements, so actual supplementation, even with children (to reduce cavities) is not
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advisable. Low levels of fluoride and/or chloride tend to adversely affect bowel functions and sinuses,
resulting in greater incidences of inflammation, so sufficient amounts of beta-carotene are important
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to assure adequate uptake of both elements.
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In some cases (more so in the elderly), fluoride and chloride levels go too high, which can lead to
ringing or noises in the ear (tinnitus), and eventually progressive hearing loss. No extra beta-carotene
should be supplemented in those instances, but only Vitamin A, if required. Since higher amounts of
Vitamin A are implicated with osteoporosis / bone loss, regular intake of larger doses should always
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be used with caution, or its levels monitored.
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When potassium supplementation is indicated, non-chloride types should be tried first to see if they
fulfill an individual's requirements. Using potassium chloride (Slow K), one ends up with large amounts
of sometimes unwanted chloride, and higher doses may at times be necessary in comparison to other
types of potassium, such as citrate for instance, to meet a patient's potassium requirements. Another
benefit of using non-chloride types of potassium is a lesser chance of developing gastrointestinal
distress. On the other hand, individuals on a salt-restricted diet and a tendency for low stomach acid
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may do better with chloride-types of potassium, or chloride-types of other minerals they supplement. ¤
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==============================================================================
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Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is the latest term replacing daily dietary reference values such as
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Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR),
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Nutrient Reference Value (NRV), and Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI).
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Fluorine / Fluoride:Chlorine / Chloride:
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DRI (RDA):DRI (RDA):
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0-6 months0.1mg - 0.5mg0-6 months0.3g - 0.7g
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6-12 months0.2mg - 0.7mg6-12 months0.4g - 1.2g
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1-10 years0.7mg - 2.5mg1-10 years0.5g - 2.5g
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11-18 years1.5mg - 3.0mg11-18 years1.5g - 4.5g
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18 years +2.0mg- 3.5mg18 years +1.8g - 5.1g
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Therapeutic Range:2mg - 50mg+Therapeutic Range:2g - 20g+
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
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Fluoride Synergists:Chloride Synergists:
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Beta-carotene, [chloride],Beta-carotene, [fluoride],
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Fluoride Antagonists / Inhibitors:Chloride Antagonists / Inhibitors:
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Iodine, calcium, magnesium, [chloride],Tin, calcium, magnesium, bromine, [fluoride],
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Low Levels / Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
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Fluoride:Chloride:
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Weakened bone, dental caries,Metabolic alkalosis, apathy, dehydration,
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In children: slowed growth, delayed speech,
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High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
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Fluoride:Chloride:
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Increased bone fractures, fluorosis (discoloration /Edema / fluid retention, hypertension / high
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mottling, pitting of teeth), osteosclerosis, tinnitus,blood pressure, greater risk of some cancers,
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hearing loss, stomach ulcers, skin rash, tremors,Chlorine inhalation: Coughing, choking, chest
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delayed brain development, bone / arthritic pains,pains, pulmonary edema, asthma, headache,
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greater risk of some cancers, convulsions, death,blue discoloration of skin, nausea, vomiting,
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Fluoride Sources:Chloride Sources:
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Seafood, gelatin, black tea, tap water (some cities),Salt, sea salt, vegetables, celery, tomatoes,
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some mineral waters, most toothpastes, pesticides,olives, lettuce, salt substitutes (KCl).
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chewing tobacco, some wines. ¤
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==============================================================================
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and promote
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better tolerance, supplements should always be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When
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taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or
eventually erosion of the esophageal sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
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It is also advisable not to lie down immediately after taking any pills.
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When taking a very large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses to
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not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright © 2000-2008 Ronald Roth Acu-Cell Nutrition: Fluoride & Chloride
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