Fluoride linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity in kids
Longitudinal associations between early-life fluoride exposures and cardiometabolic outcomes in school-aged children; Environment International, Dec. 13, 2023.
A Mexican-U.S. study group found that excess dietary fluoride causes a rise in biomarkers for diabetes, heart disease and obesity in Mexican children aged 4-8 years. The associations are greatest in boys at age 8 and girls younger than 8.
“Fewer, though consistent, associations” were found for fluoride in urine.
Investigators reported their obesity findings in terms of zBMI, or age-adjusted BMI (body mass index), to adjust for healthy BMI changes during early development. Calculations involving BMI and zBMI usually return equivalent results.
Although Mexico does not fluoridate its municipal drinking water, fluoridated salt, a Mexican staple, delivers fluoride doses often exceeding typical exposures through drinking water.
Excessive fluoride intake is associated with dental fluorosis, described as “cosmetic” but severe cases result in tooth decay or cavities, skeletal fluorosis, leading to bone fractures and neurodevelopmental issues in children.
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