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4Fluorine ( F ) - Body & Health Importance + Top 25 Sources
Anna Shelestun, nutritionist, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the EdaPlus.info project
E-mail: shelestun.n@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info,
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of fluorine ( F ) and its effect on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The best natural sources of fluoride are indicated . The use of the mineral in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. The potentially adverse effects of fluoride on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately.
Key words: fluorine , F , benefit, harm, beneficial properties, contraindications
Fluorine is a mineral that has an incredible ability to protect teeth from decay and restore them in the initial stages of caries. The element is found not only in toothpaste, but also in drinking water, foods and protects bones from osteoporosis. By learning about the signs of its deficiency and excess, you can identify the problem before it starts to progress.
How does fluoride affect the body?
Approximately 99% of the component in the body is concentrated in the bones and teeth. Immediately after absorption, the substance spreads through the body with the blood, and is excreted by the kidneys - a short half-life is only 3-10 hours.
Fluoride levels in bones are affected by several factors, including age, nutrition, and the rate of bone turnover. It does not irreversibly bind to bone and is excreted as a result of its remodeling. Human studies show that the mineral is transferred across the placenta - there is a direct relationship between its levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood. However, it is poorly transferred from plasma to breast milk. [one]
Types of fluorine and its sources for the body
Fluoride comes from fluorine and is found in some foods. It should be borne in mind that food and water in nature do not contain it in large quantities - the main source is considered to be fluoridated water and food cooked on it. [2]
The mineral is also abundant in hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. They do not need to be swallowed to replenish the supply of the component: after hygiene procedures, fluoride is absorbed by demineralized enamel, and its concentration in saliva also increases. [3, 4 5]
One of the most cost-effective advances in public health is the fluoridation of drinking water. In countries where there are problems with water supply, the mineral can be added to milk or salt. This is similar to fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D, orange juice with calcium, cereals with vitamin B and folic acid. [6]
The mineral is also included in some food supplements in the form of sodium fluoride, including multivitamin and multimineral complexes. They are recommended mainly for children under 16 who are at high risk of developing tooth decay or live in areas with poor drinking water.
Foods with fluoride
The element is present in food in varying amounts. The highest concentrations are found in seafood, spinach, gelatin, and the lowest concentrations are found in citrus fruits and vegetables. The amount of fluoride ingested is unpredictable. It depends on many factors related to food - how it is processed, prepared.
Top 10 Animal Foods That Contain Fluorine [7]
No. Product mcg in 100 g
1 Oysters baked 61.3
2 Oysters raw 40.5
3 Cheddar cheese 34.9
4 egg omelette 22.8
5 Canned tuna 21.2
6 Chocolate ice cream 18.6
7 milk chocolate 5
8 Chicken egg, boiled 4.8
9 Cow's milk 2% fat 3.4
10 Fried chicken egg 1.2
Many products contain less than one hundredth of a gram of fluoride, which is not enough to have a positive effect.
15 Vegetarian Foods With Fluoride [7]
No. Product mcg in 100 g
1 White wine 202
2 Grape juice, canned 138
3 Red wine 104.6
4 Marmalade 73
5 Oatmeal cooked in water 71.6
6 Rye bread 51
7 Semolina porridge on the water 50.7
8 jacket potatoes 49.4
9 boiled carrots 47.5
10 Spinach boiled 37.8
11 Orange juice, canned 31.3
12 Canned beets 26.3
13 Boiled asparagus 21.9
14 puffed rice 19
15 Ketchup 15.1
Top 75 Natural Sources of Fluorine
Combining these products with fluoridated water provides the best benefits for all organs and systems. Recommended daily allowance for fluoride
The amount of fluoride needed by the body depends on age, sex, and weight. Daily intake of fluoride [eight]
Life period Age Men (mg) Women (mg)
babies 0-6 months 0.01 0.01
babies 7-12 months 0.5 0.5
Children 1-3 years 0.7 0.7
Children 4-8 years one one
Children 9-13 years old 2 2
Teenagers 14-18 years old 3 3
adults Adults 19+ years four 3
The need for the element does not increase or decrease under the influence of various factors - it does not change even during pregnancy and lactation.
3 benefits of fluoride
1. Prevents excessive bacterial growth in the mouth. Studies have shown that the mineral fights bacteria that increase the risk of developing cavities. The ionic element lowers the pH level in the mouth, making the environment more acidic and less favorable for bacteria.
2. Mineralizes teeth. Fluoride forms the material fluorapatite when interacting with teeth. Although it is not their natural component, it promotes mineralization - it strengthens, prevents destruction. The supplement also helps counter the damage that food can cause. When the bacteria in your mouth break down sugar and carbohydrates, they produce acids that eat away the minerals in tooth enamel. The substance prevents such demineralization. [9]
3. Supports bone health. After swallowing, at least 50% of this volume enters the bones. Although the component does not play a decisive role in the health of the musculoskeletal system, it stimulates bone formation and increases the bone density of the spine. [10, 11]
Interaction of fluorine with minerals and vitamins
The element practically does not interact with drugs, nutrients - other components do not significantly affect its absorption. It is known that sodium fluoride slightly reduces the concentration of zinc in the blood serum. There are also suggestions that fluoridated drinking water increases the accumulation of lead in the body. [12, 13]
The use of fluorine in medicine
Dentists use fluoridated gels and other mixtures for professional procedures. They have a lot more mineral than toothpaste and mouthwash. Also, the substance is used to obtain medical images in
examinations such as positron emission tomography (PET). [fourteen]
Fluoride in scientific research: interesting facts about the effects on children, men and women
• An excess of the component leads to neurological problems. In 2017, scientists confirmed that it can impair cognitive development even before birth. The researchers measured fluoride levels in 299 women during pregnancy and in their children aged 4 to 12 years. High fluoride intake has been associated with low IQ test scores. In 2014, the mineral was found to be neurotoxic to child development, along with ten other compounds such as lead, arsenic, and
methylmercury. [fifteen]
• Studies show that regular, controlled use of fluoride mouthwash by children and adolescents protects permanent teeth from cavities. Regular rinsing reduces the number of decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth by 23% on average. [16]
• The component was introduced into the diet in the 1950s with great enthusiasm, which is gradually giving way to a rational analysis of its benefits. Recently, more and more researchers are talking about its potentially dangerous effects - people swallow and inhale it from various sources. Experts also believe that in the 21st century, water fluoridation is not the most economical and efficient way to deliver fluoride to the teeth. [17]
Who should not take fluoride: contraindications and harm to health
As with any healthy substance, excessive fluoride intake can be harmful. WHO notes that long-term exposure to drinking water with 1.5 ppm of the mineral leads to health problems. It is also not recommended to take more than 10 mg per day. Excess causes different side effects, depending on the
concentration of the substance and the duration of its exposure. Teeth and bones are primarily affected, and prolonged exposure to high doses is life-threatening. [18, 19]
Fluorine Deficiency Symptoms and Deficiency Signs
Deficiency is extremely rare, as most people get the recommended amount from food and hygiene products. Scientists have not identified cases of deficiency, so it is still unknown what symptoms are associated with it. But they found that, contrary to common misconception, lack does not cause tooth decay.
How to understand that there is a lot of fluoride in the body - symptoms of excess
The high level of fluoride in the diet is mainly associated with living in regions with high levels of fluoride in drinking water, which is not typical for Europe. Large amounts harm children, adults and cause side effects:
• dental fluorosis. The disease develops when the teeth are still forming under the gums. It appears as painless white spots on their surface. Typically, this problem occurs in children under 8 years of age - they often swallow toothpaste that contains more fluoride than fluoridated water. To reduce the risk of developing fluorosis in a child, you need to observe him during hygiene procedures - spread a pea of paste on the brush, remind him of the dangers of swallowing.
• Skeletal fluorosis. The problem with bone tissue is more serious - early symptoms include joint pain, stiffness of movement. If a lot of fluoride continues to enter the body, this leads to a change in the structure of the bone, calcification of the ligaments.
• Problems with the thyroid gland. Excess can damage the parathyroid gland and lead to hyperparathyroidism, the uncontrolled secretion of parathyroid hormones. This provokes the depletion of calcium reserves in bone structures and an increase in its concentration in the blood.
• Development problems. Children living in areas with high levels of fluoride in the water have lower IQs. The researchers suggest that it does not matter at what age the negative impact occurs - the brain cannot fully compensate for toxicity at any stage of development. The harm lies in the fact that fluoride is combined with lead, mercury and other poisons. The effect of each toxic substance may seem small, but the cumulative damage is a big threat. [twenty]
Acute toxicity is rare and can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For young children, the consequences are life-threatening.
Expert comment
Tatyana Eliseeva, nutritionist, nutritionist
The debate about fluoride has been going on for decades. While dentists talk about their benefits, other doctors dispute their safety. Despite all concerns, fluoride remains an important health ingredient and over 100 health organizations recognize the benefits of water fluoridation in preventing tooth decay.
We can get enough of it without resorting to dietary supplements - choose water and oral hygiene products enriched with the mineral. Compliance with these recommendations will satisfy the requirements for the substance. However, drinking water alone will not prevent tooth decay and other problems - it is important to brush your teeth daily and enrich your diet with other minerals and vitamins.
Literature
1. Maternal and fetal exposures to fluoride during mid-gestation among pregnant women in northern California, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132865/
2. Risk Assessment of Fluoride Intake from Tea in the Republic of Ireland and its Implications for Public Health and Water Fluoridation, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808922/
3. Focus on Fluorides: Update on the Use of Fluoride for the Prevention of Dental Caries, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058575/
4. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398117/
5. Fluoride Levels in Saliva and Plaque following the Use of High Fluoride and Conventional Dentifrices- a Triple Blinded Randomised Parallel Group Trial, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521316/
6. Principles of fluoride toxicity and the cellular response: a review, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230026/
7. Fluoride, F (^g), https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/?component=1099
8. Fluoride, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Fluoride-HealthProfessional/
9. Impact of fluoride on dental health quality, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4733546//
10. Fluoride and bone health, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7776293/
11. Fluoride's Effects on the Formation of Teeth and Bones, and the Influence of Genetics, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144112/
12. Interaction between fluorine and zinc after long-term oral administration into the digestive system of rats, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14601470/
13. Fluoride increases lead concentrations in whole blood and in calcified tissues from lead-exposed rats, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20188782/
14. Efficacy of fluorides and CPP-ACP vs fluorides monotherapy on early caries lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5927405/
15. Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/
16. Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6457869/
17. Water Fluoridation: A Critical Review of the Physiological Effects of Ingested Fluoride as a Public Health Intervention, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956646/
18. The Fluoride Debate: The Pros and Cons of Fluoridation, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6195894/
19. Toxicity of fluoride: critical evaluation of evidence for human developmental neurotoxicity in epidemiological studies, animal experiments and in vitro analyses, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7261729/
20. Developmental fluoride neurotoxicity: an updated review, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6923889/
An extended HTML version of this article is available on the edaplus.info website .
Fluoride - Body & Health Importance + Top 25 Sources
Shelestun Anna, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the project EdaPlus.info
E-mail: shelestun.a@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info
Received 26.01.2022
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of fluorine ( F ) and its effect on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The best natural sources of fluoride are indicated . The use of the mineral in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. The potentially adverse effects of fluoride on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately.
