Longevity News Blog

Hi Friend,As part of MAHA, Robert Kennedy Jr wants to eliminate fluoride from U.S. drinking water. Fluoride has been in US drinking water since the 1960s, mainly to prevent tooth decay.Is this a good or bad idea? Let's look at the science. (Click to see video)Fluoride to prevent tooth decayWater fluoridation began in the U.S. in 1945 and expanded widely in the 1960s to help prevent tooth decay, especially in children.The CDC considered water fluoridation among top 10 achievements in the 20th century. Ref (1)Standards, measurement and risksThe current US standard for fluoride in drinking water is 0.7mg/L Ref (1).Earlier WHO report stated that 0.2% of US population is exposed to >2mg/L of fluoride in drinking water Ref (3)Recent report from the National Toxicology Program associated fluoride levels as low as 1.5 mg/L to lower IQ in children Ref (2)According to Robert Kennedy Jr, exposure to fluoride can lead to: Dramatic IQ Loss in children/ exp. unborn fetuses Bone cancer (Osteosarcoma) Arthritis, deterioration of bones Thyroid injury Calcification of the Pineal gland in the brain Here's a critical analysis of the clinical evidence regarding these claims made about water fluoridation.1: IQ Loss in children especially with exposure in the wombBoys might be losing a couple IQ points in the womb; across the countryA Canadian birth-cohort study showed boys born to mothers in areas with fluorinated water had lower average IQ at 3-4 years of age.Average 4.49 IQ decrease (only for boys) associated with each 1mg/L increase in MUF (Maternal Urinary Fluoride) in pregnancy. Ref (5) (observational)Context: average fluoride intake for fluorinated areas was 0.93 mg/daily. Equivalent to fluoride in 1.33 L of standard US tap water, making this effect universal to all US mothers consuming unfiltered tap water. Ref (5)A meta-analysis of 33 studies concluded that water fluoride beyond 1 mg/L (43% above US standard) correlated to 5 point IQ decrease, while water at the US recommended level 0.7mg/L correlated with a smaller 2.15 IQ decrease, on average. Ref (6)In India, school-age children exposed to >1.5 mg/L water (double the US recommendation) showed lower average IQ. Ref (7)2: Osteosarcoma: rare bone cancer, common in childhood and adolescencePre-clinical evidence from rats and mice suggests a link between fluoride in water and osteosacroma. Ref (8)ClinicallyWe found only one study from India suggesting that tap water fluoridation associated with higher ostesarcoma incidence (Age 10-24 years) Ref (9)However various other studies refuted this claim;A US study analyzing CDC data on osteosacroma patients (age 15-19) found no correlation to fluoride in water. Ref (10)A British study also concluded no significant association between fluoride in water and osteosarcoma in people 0-49 diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Ref (11)ConclusionThis claim should be considered refuted, given that multiple human studies have shown no significant increase in Osteosarcoma risk at common water fluorination levels.3: Arthritis, deterioration of bonesAn Indian study on 80 arthritis patients showed significant correlation between serum fluoride and knee-arthritis. Ref (12)A Chinese study (186 osteoarthritic patients and 186 healthy cohorts) showed each 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride correlated to 27% increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. Ref (13)4: Thyroid injuryA Chinese study concluded that low-to-moderate fluoride exposure was associated with weaker thyroid function and lower IQ in children (age: 7-13)Each 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride correlated with 0.09ng/dL decrease in serum thyroid hormone and 0.11ng/dL increase in TSH (also indicating thyroid dysfunction). Ref (14)The study hints at a potential link between the effect of fluoride on IQ, and Thyroid function in children. (14)A meta-analysis of 27 studies found a correlation between higher levels of fluoride in water (2.5mg/L: over 3x US standard) and thyroid disruption in children. Ref (15)A UK observational study reported higher hypothyroidism incidence in areas with fluorinated water Ref. (16)5: Calcification of the Pineal gland in the brainA post-mortem analysis of pineal glands from deceased aging humans showed high levels of fluoride deposition, with correlation between fluoride and calcium (calcification). Ref (17)A US cross-sectional study on NHANES data (2015-2016) suggested a link between fluoride-associated pineal gland calcification and sleep disturbances among adolescents. Higher fluoride (75th vs 25th percentile) correlated with 2x increase in sleep apnea, 24 min and 26 min average delay in bed and waking-up time, respectively. Ref (18)Note: the pineal gland produces melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythm and sleepIn Summary4 out of the 5 risks cited as basis to end water fluoridation have evidence from humans to support them, fluoride association with Osteosarcoma being the one exception that is largely refuted.1. Public water fluoridation is an outdated measure from the past.2. While it might partially prevent tooth decay, fluoridation exposes the population, especially children to unnecessary health and cognitive hazards.3. Fluoridation harms the people it is supposed to be protecting the most; children in less affluent households are more likely to consume unfiltered tap water, and not have enough supervision regarding fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash.4. Water fluoridation should be replaced with more targeted community efforts to improve children's nutrition, health, and dental hygiene.Examples:- Eliminating sugar from school lunch/snacks.- Awareness about dental hygiene (toothbrushing morning/night, correct ways to brush teeth, flossing, avoiding excessive use of mouthwash)Dental health beyond fluoridationWhile it might be time to part ways with fluoride in tap water, never misinterpret this as accepting a compromise on dental health. Dental and oral health and hygiene are keys to sustained health and longevity. Due to chronic inflammation and bacterial spread through the bloodstream. Tooth decay and poor oral health have strong links to cardiovascular disease (CVD), dementia, and other systemic conditions. Gum disease (often due to untreated tooth decay) increases the risk of heart disease by 20%. Similarly, poor oral health increases the risk of dementia by approximately 22-30%. Maintaining oral health, therefore, goes beyond preventing cavities; it is essential in reducing risks for chronic and age-related diseases associated with systemic inflammation and infectionExamples of community and school initiatives that improve dental health in children, as part of a holistic approach in raising a healthy generation well-positioned to benefit from the incoming health and longevity revolution.- Eliminating sugar from school lunch/snacks. (added sugar is No.1 cause of caries)- Awareness about dental hygiene (toothbrushing morning/night, correct ways to brush teeth, flossing, avoiding excessive use of mouthwash)- Fluoride and other products can still be used, but with care to avoid over-exposure.Be well,BryanSources1.https://cdc.gov/fluoridation/about/index.html#:~:text=The%20recommended%20fluoride%20concentration%20in,in%20a%2055%2Dgallon%20barrel.2. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride3.https://who.int/docs/default-source/wash-documents/wash-chemicals/fluoride-background-document.pdf4.https://nature.com/articles/s41415-019-0036-x#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20problem%20because,overall%20benefit%20of%20using%20toothpaste.5. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/27486346. https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00139351230003127. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3409983/8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12637966/9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3876610/10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22189446/11. https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/43/1/224/73602812. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7751991/13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34581970/14. https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041201930137015. https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001393512302563X16. https://jech.bmj.com/content/69/7/61917.https://karger.com/cre/article-abstract/35/2/125/84621/Fluoride-Deposition-in-the-Aged-Human-Pineal-Gland?redirectedFrom=fulltext18. https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-019-0546-7

My teeth have caused me a lot of anxiety. When I first started Blueprint I was not in a good place. My gums were receding, my teeth were eroding, and my diet was full of sugar.  I felt helpless and it was hard to look at my teeth in the mirror. If you feel similarly: you are not alone. Caring for your teeth is manageable and reversing damage is possible.  After three years on Blueprint:  My dentist reports “you have the gums of a healthy teenager” My plaque index is 24.4% which is ideal I solved the destructive bruxism I dealt with for 20 years   My gingival and calculus index was 0, the lowest possible and equal to an 18 year old And I’ve reduced my attachment loss by 41% This is important because keeping your mouth healthy is key to overall health. Optimal oral care can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even lower your risk of heart disease.  Here is how you can achieve similar results: Ask your dentist: With anything with Blueprint, it’s important to understand your baseline. Ask your dentist to evaluate:  Attachment loss: the loss of supportive tissue around teeth. Poor attachment can lead to tooth loss if severe. Pocket depth: measures from the top of the gum line to the bottom of the pocket where the gum attaches to the tooth. Healthy gums have a pocket depth of 1-3 mm. Three years ago I had several pockets that were 5 mm deep. Plaque index: measures the thickness of dental plaque on the tooth’s surface.  My dentist stained my mouth with a solution that reveals the plaque. She then assigned numbers to the various levels of plaque and on what parts of the teeth. My plaque levels were ideal.  Gums bleed: you want gums that don’t bleed easily. A good sign was that my dentist continually poked my gums trying to get them to bleed but was unsuccessful. She mentioned that my gum health is better than many of the teenagers she sees, setting aside those with bad oral health habits. Oral care protocol: Nine steps you can follow to get your oral health in order: Waterpik: The first thing I do in my protocol is use a water pick. It uses a high-pressure stream of water to remove food, plaque, and bacteria from hard-to-reach places. Morning & night. - Amazon Floss: After using the Waterpik to loosen particles, I use floss for plaque and debris removal. I use Dr. Tongue's because it's thicker and showed a 25%+ increase in plaque removal in studies we reviewed. Morning & night. - Amazon  Brush: I use an electric brush, but you may prefer a manual. I enjoy soft bristles as it cleans effectively without unneeded harshness on the tooth or gums. Morning & night. - Amazon  Toothpaste: I am currently using two types of toothpastes, neither of which have fluoride. Morning & night. - Amazon Tongue Scraper: This is a game changer. If it’s not part of your oral routine, I encourage you to try. It can significantly improve oral hygiene. Morning & night. - Amazon  Mouthwash: If you plan on smooching that special someone, you can freshen up with a Xylitol mouthwash. Give your partner the very best. Morning & night. - Amazon  Tea Tree Oil: I previously used tea tree oil, 2-3 drops with 2 oz of water. Recently I discontinued using it. Years ago it helped improve my oral health. Now that my baseline is back to ideal I have not needed it in my protocol. - Amazon Bruxism Device: For 20 years I was grinding my teeth at night. If you have Bruxism, I strongly encourage you to address it. A dentist on Blueprint recommended the SomnoDent Bruxism Device, and for the first time in my life, my Bruxism has stopped. Wear while sleeping. - Link Cleanings: Make sure you visit your dentist at least 2 times a year. It is important to identify problems early and remove hardened plaque. Even with diligent brushing and flossing at home, it's difficult to remove all plaque from your teeth.   Oral Hygiene Tips: Reduce sugar: Try sugar alternatives like Trehalose, Monk Fruit, Xylitol, and Allulose.  Acidic Liquid: Avoid extended exposure to acidic fluids, such as coffee and lemon water. Avoid dry mouth: Staying hydrated. Saliva protects your teeth by washing away food debris, neutralizing acid, carrying essential ions like calcium, which help remineralize your enamel, making it stronger. Wait to brush: I avoid brushing my teeth 30 minutes after eating as tooth enamel is temporarily softened.  Travel Toothbrush: If I spend the day on-the-go, I’ll take a travel toothbrush with me. Throughout the day you can sneak away to a bathroom and give your teeth a clean.    Follow these steps and you’ll be off to a great start.   Bryan Disclaimer: this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.