FLUORIDE POISONING TREATMENT PROTOCOL
By Russell M. Dobkins, B.S., C.W.K.
May 10, 2007

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE POISONING
Fluoride poisoning is common in areas of the world where volcanism
has deposited large amounts of fluoride in the rocks, and soils,
which then dissolves into the waters, both surface and subsurface.
It is concentrated in areas of hot spring activity. The primary
route of intake is through consumption of well waters high in the
fluoride ion, F-. Fluoride is also consumed through consumption of
foods grown in high fluoride soils and with high fluoride irrigation
waters. Fluoride containing pesticides such as cryolite, and
fertilizers such as rock phosphate, also contaminate the food
supply. Fluoride poisoning affects domestic livestock and pets, as
well as wild animals, birds, fish, and humans. Fluorine is naturally
present in coal, oil, ore bearing rocks, clay, and sea bed deposits.
Heating such deposits as is done in coal burning power plants,
chemical plants and refineries, metal smelters, making cement, and
processing rock phosphate fertilizer releases fluorine into the
atmosphere and water. The largest anthropogenic source of fluoride
emissions is the electrical utilities industry. The "Toxicological
Profile for Fluorides, 2002", put out by by the U.S. Public Health
Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, on page
183 states: "A typical 650 megawatt coal-burning power plant running
at 67% capacity (the average for U.S. coal plants) would release
180,000 pounds of hydrogen fluoride per year (Rubin 1999)".
According to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), over 72.7 million
pounds of hydrogen fluoride was released into the air of the U.S. in
1999, with 80% of it coming from coal burning, electrical utilities!
The hydrogen fluoride reacts with water vapor forming hydrofluoric
acid, a major component of acid rain. Hydrofluoric acid is used to
etch glass. It also reacts with and damages statues, buildings,
bridges, and eats the paint off automobiles! The hydrofluoric acid
rains out on crop plants and animals, causing damage. It also gets
into the surface water. This hydrofluoric acid deposition, directly
harms humans, plants, and animals, and enters the food chain through
the air and water.
Tests done by the New Mexico Environment Department have found
naturally occurring fluoride levels in well water in southwest New
Mexico to be quite high. The New Mexico Environment Department
offers free testing for fluoride, and anyone with fluoride poisoning
symptoms should have their water tested. The common occurrence of
dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis in southwestern New Mexico
is caused by the fluoride. Wells in the towns of Gila, Cliff,
Deming, and Columbus were found to have from 0.4-12.0 mg/liter
fluoride. The school in Cliff had 2.47mg/l in the well water. The
Cliff school is now providing purified drinking water to the
students and faculty. In my opinion, that would be advisable for all
schools and public facilities that are found to have water sources
over 0.4mg/L. Establishing community water systems utilizing the
lowest level fluoride water available would be an excellent
investment in public health. Recent studies in China have found that
children drinking 1mg/liter/F water have 5-10 points lower IQ than
children drinking water with 0.39mg/l/F water. The incidence of hip
fractures double in people drinking 1.5mg/l Fluoride water, and
triple at 4.5mg/l/F. When one considers that in 1mg of fluoride
there are 31,600,000,000,000,000,000 atoms, that is thirty-one
million, six hundred thousand, trillion atoms per milligram, that is
3.16 x 10 to the 19 atoms, one can begin to fathom the magnitude of
the possible disruptions to biological systems. Scientists at the
EPA recently studied the neuro-toxicological effects of fluoride and
found adverse effects at the lowest levels testable. That is
understandable when one considers that fluorine has the strongest
electro-negativity of any element. Fluoride, F- forms ionic bonds
with all elements necessary to life, including sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium and iron. Both calcium and magnesium are integral
to the function of nerve and muscle cells. Fluorine compounds are
also bio-active and damage numerous biological systems and organs
including: the heart, connective tissue such as bones, teeth, and
cartilage, the kidneys, liver, brain, the endocrine system, the
reproductive system, DNA, as well as disrupts energy metabolism in
all cells. Fluorine has the greatest electron affinity of any atom,
and is therefore is the strongest oxidizer of any element, which
allows it to rip an electron out of virtually any other atom or
molecule it contacts. Fluorine is used in anesthesia to stop nerve
function. The toxic effects of fluorine gas (Halothane, Sevoflurane,
Desflurane, etc.) used in inhaled anesthetics have been studied
extensively. In the "Textbook of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology",
by Katzung, in the chapter on General Anesthesia, the toxic effects
of fluorine and fluoride are described as caused by both the free
radical oxidative damage of fluorine, and from the F- ion bonding to
proteins creating non-self molecules, to which the body mounts an
immune response. That is known to happen as a result of anesthesia
in the liver and kidneys resulting in deadly hepatitis and
nephritis. In the body, fluoride is also known to complex with
calcium and precipitate onto the ligaments, tendons, and muscle
insertions causing calcification. I suspect that auto-immune
reactions may be caused in such tissues resulting in arthritic
conditions. It may also be possible that fluoride is displacing
iodide in the thyroid gland, and binding to amino acids such as
tyrosine or other molecules, to which the body then mounts an immune
response, resulting in thyroiditis. A similar auto-immune reaction
may occur in the nerves and muscles resulting in neuralgias and
myalgias. I believe Lupus and MS may well be caused by fluoride
poisoning, as they are found to be common diseases in high fluoride
areas. It may also be possible that enzymes in the body break down
fluorine containing molecules in various drugs and other compounds,
releasing Fluorine and Fluoride, freeing it to recombine with and
disrupt enzymes, genes, hormones, and other cellular products and
systems.

THYROID HORMONE DISRUPTION
The most damaging effect of fluoride poisoning is the effect on
thyroid hormone. The production of thyroid hormone, and all the
metabolic functions of thyroid hormone are enzyme mediated, and
fluoride is a known enzyme poison. Many of the symptoms of fluoride
poisoning are identical to the symptoms of hypothyroidism: low
energy, cold intolerance, low body temperature, low immune system
function, slow pulse, weak heartbeat, slowed metabolism, digestive
disturbances, constipation, hormone deficiencies from all endocrine
glands, menstrual disorders in women, menorrhagia, low testosterone
in men, infertility in both sexes, arthritic aches and pains,
myalgias, neuralgias, cerebral hypothyroidism which can cause
depression and ADHD, mental lethargy, serotonin and other
neurotransmitter deficiencies, dry coarse skin, hoarse voice,
weakness, edema, hair loss, migraine headaches, irritability,
anemia, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and
cancer. Fluoride is known to inhibit glycolosis, and deiodination of
T-4 to T-3.
Thyroid hormone penetrates the nucleus of all cells where it
interacts with DNA to cause the production of ATPASE enzymes, which
catalyze the metabolism of glucose to ATP in the mitochondria. ATP
is the energy molecule of the cells. When the conversion of glucose
to ATP is inhibited, all cellular processes and cellular products
are negatively affected, which results in systemic dysfunction.
Also, if glucose is not converted to ATP and used for energy, it is
converted to fat and stored. The current obesity epidemic in the US
may well be caused or at least exacerbated by the widespread
fluoridation of public water supplies. In the conversion of glucose
to ATP, 66% of the energy is converted into ATP, and 34% is lost as
heat energy which shows up in body temperature. If fluoride, or
hypothyroidism, or both disable this essential, metabolic cycle, a
subnormal body temperature will be found. If the body temperature is
low, the cells of the body will also be running on a sub-optimal
energy level. Human enzymes are temperature sensitive and work best
at the normal body temperature of 98.6 F. At a lower body
temperature, with less ATP available, all cellular functions will be
diminished. Such a condition would be observable as a weak heart
beat, and slowed pulse rate. Immune system function diminishes with
low cellular energy levels, and low body temperatures, resulting in
chronic and recurrent infections.
Mental function and mood is directly related to cellular energy
levels. Growth and development, especially of the brain in a
developing fetus is slowed and may be permanently damaged by a low
cellular energy level. A number of researchers including myself have
found that the condition called Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-
Disorder, ADHD, is caused by incomplete development of the pre-
frontal lobes of the brain in infants and children, which can be
caused by low thyroid hormone levels in the mother or child. That
could be caused, or exacerbated by fluoride exposure, especially in
the pregnant mother, but also in the post-natal, developing child.
For these reasons, medical personnel should be alerted to and
consider the possibility of fluoride poisoning whenever they find a
patient who has a subnormal body temperature, especially in parts of
the world where high levels of fluoride are found in the well
waters. It is my prediction that in high fluoride areas, most
persons seeking medical help for illness will be found to have an
underlying sub-optimal cellular energy level, reflected in a low
body temperature. I believe that in the future this will be a major,
if not the major consideration in diagnosis and treatment of most of
the degenerative and many of the infectious diseases we now face.

FLUORIDE POISONING TESTS
One test for fluoride poisoning is to check the fluoride levels in
the urine. That reveals the approximate amount of fluoride the
person is consuming on a daily basis. About 50% of daily F intake is
absorbed, depending on the diet, especially calcium intake, and 50%
excreted, mostly in urine. One could use that test to monitor
progress of treatment, as well as to diagnose the condition. Since
it is known that 5-10 mg/day of fluoride will suppress thyroid
function, one could reasonably expect that a urine level of over 2.5
mg F, would be having a thyroid depressive effect. If the body
temperature was found to be lower than normal, that would also
indicate low thyroid function. One of the obvious and advanced
symptoms of hypothyroidism and fluoride poisoning, are large bags
under the eyes (myxedematous deposits of mucopolysaccharide). If
some of the other symptoms of thyroid dysfunction were also present,
that would be additional indications of low thyroid, possibly caused
by fluoride poisoning. Dr. Broda O. Barnes, in his
book "Hypothyroidism, the Unsuspected Illness", states that thyroid
function can most accurately be measured by taking the basal body
temperature (the temperature taken under the armpit with a glass
thermometer for ten minutes before rising in the morning) for three
days consecutively, averaging them, and if the temperature is less
than 97.8 degrees F, hypothyroidism is indicated. Dr. Barnes found
that the TSH, T-3, and T-4 tests were not reliable or accurate in
diagnosing hypothyroidism. He found many patients with normal range
TSH, T-3, and T-4 levels, who had the symptoms of hypothyroidism,
and a low basal body temperature, gained relief from those symptoms
with thyroid hormone therapy. Most current TSH tests redline a TSH
over 4.5 as indicating hypothyroidism. However, patients with a TSH
as low as 2.0 have been found to suffer from hypothyroidism and to
benefit from treatment. Glucocorticoids given in high doses and over
long term suppress the pituitary release of ACTH, GH, TSH, and LH.
Stress causes the adrenal glands to release large amounts of
cortisol. Chronic stress, and subsequent high cortisol levels, could
cause the pituitary gland to suppress the release of TSH, resulting
in low TSH readings, masking hypothyroidism. In such a case, T-3 and
T-4 would be found to be low as well. Another important test is the
thyroid antibody test. If the antibodies to the thyroid are high,
that indicates an immune attack is in progress on the thyroid gland,
possibly caused by fluoride. Low cortisol levels can also cause
functional hypothyroidism as cortisol is necessary to allow cell
membrane permeability to thyroid hormone and insulin. After
studying hypothyroidism for years and conducting large population
screenings, Dr. Barnes found that the basal body temperature test
was the most reliable and only accurate test for hypothyroidism.
That along with the many symptoms of hypothyroidism provides a good
diagnostic procedure for recognizing hypothyroidism and fluoride
poisoning, as well. To test hormone levels of testosterone,
estrogen, progesterone, and the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol,
the most accurate test is the saliva test, and can be ordered
without prescription at: www.salivatest.com . Most hormones are
bound to proteins in the blood. The hormones in saliva are "free,
unbound" hormones, and therefore a test of these provide a more
accurate picture of what the levels are available to the cells, than
blood tests.

FLUORIDATION OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES
In the 1930's, German scientists found that fluorine
compounds lowered thyroid hormone production, and various fluorine
compounds were used to treat hyperthyroidism. After WWII, American
and British doctors who inspected the German prison camps and
occupied cities, found that fluoride was added to the water
supplies, presumably to knock out the thyroid function of the
prisoners, thereby making them unable to mentally and physically
mount resistance or escape. Today, the US government promotes
fluoridation of public water supplies, despite opposition by leading
scientists at the EPA, http://www.fluoridealert.org/hp-epa.htm, to
the level of 1mg/l, for the stated purpose of improving dental
health, although most modern studies show no benefit from it, and
numerous serious adverse affects. The myth that fluoride is good for
teeth came out of the US military nuclear weapons development
program. Those were the same people that blew up 100 atom bombs,
above ground in the US, and knowingly spread radiation all over the
country, all through the food chain, contaminated most of us, kept
it "top secret", and told us it was safe! The "Fallout" contained
radioactive Iodine, which contaminated the food supply, especially
the milk, and was passed up the food chain to humans, where it
concentrated in the thyroid gland, causing radioactive destruction
and cancer of the thyroid hormone producing cells, there.
Radioactive Iodine has long been used by medical doctors to kill the
thyroid gland to "treat" Hyperthyroidism. Today, millions of
Americans suffer with thyroid problems, and thyroid hormone drugs
have been among the most prescribed and largest quantity of
manufactured drugs. Some experts estimate that 40% of the U.S.
population suffers from some degree of hypothyroidism. The nuclear
scientists and doctors also tested plutonium and other radioactive
isotopes on humans, in the U.S., without their knowledge or consent,
for decades (See "The Plutonium Files", by Eileen Welsome, 1999).
The largest use of fluorine was and is still, to process uranium, in
a process called "enrichment", to make the fissionable material,
U235, for atom bombs and nuclear reactors. To read the story of how
the US military "brainwashed" the American public into thinking
fluoride was "good" for teeth, read "Fluoride, Teeth, and the Atom
Bomb" at: http://www.fluoridealert.org/wastenot414.htm
Fluorine and chlorine (such as that used in water
treatment), being more electro-negative than iodide (I-), can
oxidize (pull electrons off) iodide (I-), converting it to iodine
(I), in the gut, which then can bind to organic molecules, and
calcium, thereby limiting absorption of the iodide, resulting in
hypothyroidism from iodide deficiency. Studies of children in China
found that in areas where fluoride is high and iodine is low, mental
retardation levels are high and IQ's are low, goiter is common, and
growth and development is retarded.

METAMORPHOSIS INHIBITED
Thyroid hormone levels control growth and development. Tadpoles will
not metamorphose into frogs without sufficient thyroid hormone
levels. Starting in the 1940's, for several decades, tadpole
metamorphosis was used as the standard lab test to study chemicals
for thyroid antagonistic effects. Every compound of fluorine, both
organic and inorganic was found to inhibit metamorphosis! Many drugs
and products contain fluorine. A recent study presented at the 2004
World Congress of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry, http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pfpcnews/message/230
found that tadpole metamorphosis was inhibited by a pharmaceutical
drug, a fluorine compound, at parts per billion levels, levels which
are found in effluent rich rivers and steams in the US. That
compound is called Prozac! I suspect that the amphibian
population declines seen worldwide may be caused by the massive
fluoride air pollution from coal burning and other industries, as it
eventually finds it's way into all aquatic ecosystems and all
surface water supplies! Also, the high fluoride phosphate fertilized
agricultural lands drain fluoride into surrounding aquatic ecosytems
where amphibians could be affected.

THYROID AND ADRENAL TREATMENT
To treat low thyroid levels, supplementing daily with natural
extracts of thyroid gland, or time-release natural thyroid tablets,
are the safest and most effective remedy. Natural thyroid extracts
are available over the counter and by prescription. The best thyroid
supplement I have found is from New Zealand, from certified disease
free, organically raised cattle. The dosage varies from a starting
dosage of about 65 mg/day (or less for someone with cardiovascular
disease), taken in the early morning before breakfast, up to about
250mg/day as a maximum. The most common dosage is 130mg.day. Taking
thyroid hormone late in the day map keep one awake at night. The
famous thyroid expert, Dr. Broda O. Barnes recommended starting
patients with hypothyroidism on a 1-grain daily dosage of natural
thyroid tablets. One grain equals 65mg. Dr. Barnes got his PhD in
endocrinology, and did his thesis on thyroid, before he became an
M.D. He researched and treated thyroid problems for 50 years. His
book, "Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness", is an excellent
book on hypothyroidism. It covers the adverse health effects caused
by it, and how to recognize and treat it. After many years of
research and large cohort studies, Dr. Barnes found that the most
accurate diagnostic measure of hypothyroidism was the "basal body
temperature". A basal temperature (that is taken in the armpit, upon
waking in the morning, for ten minutes, with a glass thermometer),
of between 97.8 and 98.2 is normal. A temperature of less than that
indicates possible hypothyroidism. Dr. Barnes found that the
standard lab tests for thyroid function were inaccurate and
unreliable! Dr. Barnes found that monitoring the temperature, pulse,
and symptoms, would indicate how effective the dosage was. If the
temperature goes over the normal range of 98.6 in midday, or over
98.2 basal body temperature, that indicates an over dose, or
hyperthyroidism. Greatly exceeding the optimal dose can cause heart
attacks in patients with cardiovascular problems because the cardiac
output is stimulated. Both the strength of the heartbeat and rate
will be increased. A resting pulse of over 100 would indicate
excessive thyroid hormone. Dosage will need to be monitored closely
to determine what is the optimum. Excessive thyroid hormone causes
headaches, nervousness, sleeplessness, sweating, and a racing pulse.
Paradoxically, If a person takes too much thyroid hormone over time,
say a week or more, the symptoms of hypothyroidism may rearise. The
body temperature will fall to subnormal levels, energy levels will
drop, mental energy and mood will decline, etc. This may be due to
exhaustion of available glucose, or possibly due to the saturation
of T-3 receptor sites by T-4, and the bogging down of the conversion
of T-4 to T-3 because of excess T-4. Stopping or reducing the intake
of the natural thyroid supplements will help. Restarting the
natural supplementation can be continued at a lowered dosage after
the system flushes out the excessive hormone levels. The half life
of T-4 is 7 days. Most people would notice an overdose right away,
as they would feel hot, and have a pounding pulse, which passes
usually in a few hours. Doctors are usually guilty of under
prescribing thyroid hormone, rather than over prescribing. Such a
mistake is insidious and dangerous, as the complications of
hypothyroidism develop into serious chronic illness, such as heart
disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, immune system dysfunction,
reproductive system abnormalities (caused by sub-normal hormone
levels), etc. Julia Ross, in her famous California clinic, "Recovery
Systems", as stated in her book, "The Mood Cure" found that some
people will do well with the synthetic T-4 (levothyroxine), while
others will do better on the natural thyroid extracts. Dr.
Peatfield, author of "The Great Thyroid Scandal", in England, found
that synthetic thyroid hormone, T-4, is ineffective in 75% of
patients, while natural thyroid supplements work quite well in
nearly all. Synthetic T-4 is prescribed by most medical doctors, as
the pharmacology books state that the natural thyroid, although much
less expensive, is old fashioned and unreliable in dosage. That is
contrary to what the FDA found. A 1998 report stated that "none of
the current synthetic thyroid hormone drugs could be considered to
be safe or efficacious". Numerous lawsuits have been filled against
the makers of "Synthroid" and other synthetic thyroid drugs, because
of inconsistent hormone levels in their products which resulted in
damage to the patients using them. Nature has been making thyroid
hormones for millions of years, with all creatures from amphibians
up to mammals completely dependent on them for energy metabolism.
Nature's laboratory works quite well, as all dysfunction is
eliminated from the population by natural selection. I find natural
thyroid glandular concentrates to be quite effective and safe. One
grain, 65mg, of natural thyroid contains approximately 9mcg of T-3,
and 38mcg of T-4. The body normally produces, in one day, about
25mcg T-3, and 75mcg T-4. How much supplementation is needed depends
on the body size, and how much the body is producing and converting
to T-3. T-4 is slowly converted to T-3, by de-iodinase enzymes, in
the body, primarily in the liver. However, in fluoride poisoning the
de-iodinase enzymes may be disabled, thereby stopping the conversion
of T-4 to T-3, in which case supplementation with just the active
form of thyroid hormone, T-3 may be necessary. The adrenal hormone
cortisol is also needed to convert T-4 to T-3. The natural glandular
thyroid supplements provide both the thyroid hormones, T-4 and T-3,
plus iodine, tyrosine, and other nutrients needed to produce thyroid
hormone, as well as repair and support the thyroid gland. Also,
selenium is needed to convert T-4 to T-3. Selenium, acting as an
electron donor, is also the central atom in the glutathione-
peroxidase detoxification system, the body's major detoxification
system for peroxides and free radicals. Perhaps this is how selenium
is protective against cancer, and fluoride poisoning (fluoride is
the most powerful free radical!). Supplementing with 100 mcg of
selenium/day should be sufficient, certainly not more than 200mcg/d.
How much thyroid supplement will be needed depends on how depleted
the body is, and how much thyroid hormone is being produced, and how
much fluoride is sequestered in the bones, and is being released by
osteoclastic remodeling, and how much fluoride intake the patient
has. The optimum level can most accurately be determined by
monitoring the body temperature, and dosing to achieve normalcy,
98.6, mid-day, and a 97.8 - 98.2 basal body temperature. Dr. Barnes
suggested that the temperature was a good guideline, but prioritized
the dosing to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism. With chronic
fluoride poisoning, the body temperature may not come up to normal
levels for some time because of the fluoride being released from the
bones in osteoclastic remodeling, which then attacks the energy
production system enzymes. Taking glandular thyroid hormone
supplements will increase all metabolic functions, including
heartbeat strength, and pulse rate. Care should be taken if
cardiovascular problems are suspected or known. In such a case, it
is advised to start with a low dosage, such as ½ grain, and increase
very slowly over weeks and months, until the body temperature comes
up to the normal range. Four grains is the maximum recommended
dosage, with 1-2 being the usual amount needed. Dr. Barnes found
that indicators of cardiovascular function will improve with thyroid
therapy. High cholesterol will normalize, along with high or low
blood pressure. Immune system function will improve as well. All
other endocrine systems will increase output, including pancreatic
insulin. Chronic constipation will subside and peristalsis will
increase. Nutrient absorption will increase in the gut.
Supplementation with vitamins and minerals will be needed to keep up
with the increased metabolism, and will help detoxify the fluoride.
The patient's energy level will increase, as well as immune
function, mood, mental function, and appetite. Libido will be
increased in men and women. Menstrual irregularities and problems
will subside and normalize. As thyroid hormone levels are normalized
and fluoride input is stopped, arthritic aches and pains will
usually subside. Dr. Barnes found that if normalized temperature has
been sustained, but arthritic aches, pains, and swellings persist,
or arise, low daily doses of 5mg prednisone would relieve it,
safely. However, prednisone, as does cortisol, has a thyroid
antagonistic effect at high dosages, that is when given at more than
the physiologic needs of the person. High dosages of
glucocorticoids given chronically suppress the pituitary gland
release of TSH, ACTH, GH, and LH. The "Moon Face" and "bags" under
the eyes that develops in people treated with high dosages of
cortisone looks very much like the facial myxedema of
hypothyroidism. However, chronically insufficient thyroid hormone
levels will result in a lowered endogenous production of adrenal
hormones, especially cortisol. If insufficient cortisol is produced,
arthritic inflammation and allergies could result. Perhaps that is
why Dr. Barnes found that low doses of prednisone relieved such
arthritic conditions. Prednisone acts like cortisol. Conversely,
prolonged high levels of cortisol, from physical or mental stress,
or glucocorticoid drugs, can shut down thyroid hormone production.
However, cortisol controls permeability of the cell membranes to
thyroid hormone and insulin, as well as the conversion of T-4 to T-
3, and is absolutely necessary for normal metabolic funciton. Often,
people develop the symptoms of hypothyroidism after episodes of
stress, especially childbirth, divorce, illness, surgery, accidents,
cold weather, etc. That may be because a peson with low thyroid
hormone production, often also has a low cortisol level, which gets
further depleted with stress. I have found that in people with low
thyroid, any stress, physical or mental can lower the body
temperature and bring on the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Prolonged
high levels of cortisol (from chronic stress or corticosteroid
drugs) also have a thyroid antagonistic effect. Thyroid hormone
stimulates DNA to make the enzymes that convert glucose into ATP,
while cortisol maintains the blood glucose levels. A shortage of
either will lower energy conversion at the cellular level, resulting
in the measurable low body temperature.
Cortisol also has effects on the immune system. Cortisol is the
body's main natural anti-inflammatory. Cortisol is necessary to
stabilize the intracellular membranes of lysozomes in the white
blood cells (Guyton, Textbook of Medical Physiology, page 877).
When there is insufficient cortisol, the membranes become weakened,
which results in the premature release of proteolytic enzymes called
lysozymes. That results in a hyper-sensitive immune response,
causing allergies and auto-immune diseases such as MS, Auto-immune
Thyroiditis, Lupus, and diabetes. In the normal adult, in the
absence of stress, 10-20 mg of cortisol is secreted daily. With
stress, that amount may increase six fold. Cortisol powers up the
immune system. However, with long term stress, cortisol production
becomes depleted. People often get sick when they are overworked or
stressed out, because their adrenal glands become exhausted, and
cortisol production becomes insufficient to meet needs. Cortisol
also maintains blood sugar levels, and one sign of insufficient
cortisol production is hypoglycemia. "Loss of cortisol secretion
makes it impossible for a person with Addison's disease to maintain
normal blood glucose concentration between meals because he or she
cannot synthesize significant quantities of glucose by
gluconeogenesis. Fruthermore, lack of cortisol reduces the
mobilization of both proteins and fats from the tissues, thereby
depressing many other metabolic functions of the body." (Guyton,
Textbook of Medical Physiology, page 880). As fluoride is an enzyme
poison, calorigenic enzymes could be disabled by it, thereby
disabling gluconeogenesis, and lipolysis, resulting in hypoglycemia.
Cortisol is also important in resisting stress and inflammation. Dr.
Barnes found that a physiologic dose of prednisone, 5mg/d, would
alleviate rheumatoid arthritic conditions in hypothyroid patients
taking thyroid hormone. Perhaps, the reason for this is that often
people with hypothyroidism have a diminished adrenal function, which
results in a deficiency of cortisol. The physiologic replacement
dose of prednisone stops some of the lysozymal activity, which was
can cause damage to the connective tissues in the joints. Professor
William Mck. Jefferies, M.D. is the most knowlegable expert on the
use of cortisol that I have read. He spent 50 years researching
cortisol, and taught endocrinology at two medical schools. In his
practice, he treated the most difficult endocrinology patients. His
book, " The Safe Uses Of Cortisol", was written to educate doctors
in the proper use of cortisol. He found that the most natural, safe,
and effective glucocorticoid drug is "hydro-cortisone". The
physiologic dosage he found to be most effective for treating
adrenal cortical insufficiency was around 20 mg/day, taken 5mg, four
times a day. That dosage would have to be increased whenever stress
levels increased, and then returned to the maintenance dose after
the stress subsided. Prednisone, a stronger glucocorticoid drug is 4
times more potent than hydro-cortisone. That is why
therapeutically, 5mg of prednisone is equivalent to 20mg of hydro-
cortisone.
Natural adrenal glandular concentrates are effective in relieving
mild adrenal cortical deficiencies. However, for chronic or severe
hypo-corticolism, hydro-cortisone is the drug of choice, as it most
closely matches the adrenal hormone, cortisol. One symptom of
chronic hypo-corticolism is high blood pressure. The reason for this
is that when the adrenal cortex cannot produce adequate levels of
cortisol, due to prolongued stress, hypothyroidism, fluoride
poisoning, or other reasons, the brain, in particular the
hypothalamus, which monitors the blood supply of cortisol and
glucose, senses a deficiency, and stimulates the adjacent pituitary
gland to produce adrenal corticol releasing hormone, ACTH. ACTH then
travels through the blood stream to the adrenal gland where it
stimulates the production and release of adrenal hormones. If the
adrenal cortex is exhausted or injured and cannot produce cortisol,
the ACTH continues to be released from the pituitary gland. However,
ACTH stimulates all the adrenal gland to produce and release
hormones. That causes the adrenal medula to release adrenaline,
which causes an increase in pulse rate and blood pressure. Dr. Mck.
Jefferies found that the proper treatment was to give cortisol
exogenously. When the hypothalamus senses an adequate supply of
cortisol in the blood stream, it will shut down the production of
ACTH in the pituitary gland, which stops the release of adrenaline,
thereby relieving the high pulse rate and hypertension. Such
treatment gives the adrenal gland time to recover and restore it's
reserve of hormones. This is a much more rational approach than the
prescribing of hypertensive drugs such as alpha and beta blockers,
as many of them shut down adrenal and thyroid function, further
excerbating the source of the problem. The successful treatment of
hypertension with cortisol must be credited to Dr. Jefferies, and
can be read about in his book, "Safe Uses of Cortisol".
The late Dr. Weston A. Price, D.D.S., found that another cause of
rheumatic conditions is infected teeth. Of particular concern are
root canal filled teeth, as they always become infected with
virulent, pathogenic, aerobic and anerobic organisms, which produce
toxins that exude from the teeth, poisoning the system. Bacteria
metastasize from the infected teeth to infect other parts of the
body such as the heart, joints, brain, eyes, and any other weakened
or injured body part. Dr. Price found that by extracting the
infected teeth, many rheumatic diseases for which no other reason
could be found, would be relieved. You can read about Dr. Price's
twenty five years of research as head of the American Dental
Association's Research Division, on root canal fillings in the
excellent book by Dr. George E. Meinig, D.D.S., "Root Canal Cover-
up". The website, www.westonaprice.org is a good source for
information about Dr. Prices' work. In my recent research on this
subject, I found a new and reportedly safe and effective material
for root canal fillings, calcium-oxide. It was developed in France,
and has recently been approved for use in the U.S., Canada, and
Europe. There are dentists in the U.S. using it now.

BONES AND OSTEO-FLUOROSIS
Fluoride binds with calcium in the body and it deposits in the
bones, making them brittle and prone to breakage. As bone is
catabolized and rebuilt, fluoride is released. Even after all intake
of fluoride is stopped, fluoride poisoning can continue from the
deposits released from the bones during remodeling, for years.
Fluoride is also known to bind with calcium and precipitate onto
connective tissues in joints. The extreme case, called osteo-
fluorosis causes complete immobility of the spine through
calcium/fluoride mineralization and deposition. I suspect fluoride
may also be causing mutations in cells, which the body then
recognizes as not self, and tries to destroy. The fluoride molecule
is very small, and could penetrate cell membranes through ion
channels, possibly attached to cations such as sodium, potassium,
and calcium. Once inside the cell the fluoride could disrupt many
enzyme mediated systems and even penetrate the nucleus to interact
with the DNA. If there is a lot of fluoride, many cells may be
damaged, resulting in widespread immune attack, and cell damage. One
of the typical symptoms of fluoride poisoning in humans is the feet
hurt when standing up after sleeping or sitting. As fluoride binds
with calcium in the blood stream, it precipitates out and settles
into the lower extremities where it binds to the ligaments, tendons,
muscle insertions, and joints, where it causes pain, stiffness, and
inflammation. Improvement in symptoms occurs when fluoride exposure
sources are eliminated, typically the water. Calcium along with
vitamin C intake has been found to mitigate the effects of fluoride
poisoning, and helps speed the detoxification of fluoride from the
body.

AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES
Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Diabetes, and MS may be caused by
fluoride poisoning. Fluoride lowers thyroid hormone production and
conversion, which then results in a lowered adrenal cortisol
production. Glucocorticoid drugs can stop auto-immune attacks by
strengthening the lysosomal membranes in the white blood cells. The
same type of immune response may be responsible for the auto-immune
attack of the thyroid gland called "thyroiditis". Glucocorticoids
have been used successfully to treat this condition as well.
However, as cortisol and prednisone are thyroid antagonistic at
above physiological levels, care should be taken to avoid that.
Another possible reason for the auto-immune disorders may be that a
deficiency of thyroid hormone causes an impairment or weakness in
the thymus gland, which is known to control the balance and
sensitivity of the immune system through producing T-lymphocytes and
thymic hormones. According to the "Encyclopedia of Natural
Medicine", p. 146-147 "Typically, thymic hormone levels will be very
low in the elderly, individuals prone to infection, cancer and AIDS
patients, and individuals exposed to undue stress." The thymus
gland is dependent on thyroid hormone to function normally. Perhaps
that is why thyroid hormone supplementation has been shown to
relieve allergies. The current medical practice of giving high
dosage (1 gram) injections of glucocorticoid drugs for alleviation
of allergies should be reconsidered in light of its negative effect
on thyroid hormone production and the immune system. There is a
precarious balance between the adrenal hormones and the thyroid
hormones, as well as the rest of the endocrine system, which
prolonged stress and high doses of corticosteroid drugs surely
disrupt!

THYROID
STORM
A case has recently come to my attention, which may elucidate the
connection between the thyroid gland, and the immune system. A
woman, 50, beginning menopause, presented to her doctor with
menorrhagia. Her doctor suggested she have a hysterectomy, which she
did. Three months after the surgery she was feeling very tired and
went to her physician. He found her blood pressure and pulse to be
very high and immediately sent her to the hospital, where she
collapsed, went into a coma, had convulsions, a stroke, and lost her
sight. She regained consciousness after three days, and somehow
survived. Her thyroid peroxidase antibody count was over 3500! Her T-
3 and T-4 levels were very high, and the TSH was 0.01! This is
called a "Thyroid Storm". For some reason, her immune system
attacked her thyroid gland. That could have been caused by the
anesthesia which contained fluorine, causing some antigenic
formation in the thyroid gland, resulting in the immune system
attack. Or, perhaps she became depleted of cortisol due to the
stress of surgery, or infection, which allowed her immune system
cells to become hypersensitized and mistakenly release lysozymes on
her own body's thyroid cells. The lysozymes released from the immune
cells attacked and dissolved the membranes around the thyroid cells
causing the release of large amounts of thyroid hormone
precipitating the "Storm". Such auto-immune attacks, following
inhaled surgical anesthesia containing fluorine gas, (Halothane,
Sevoflurane, Enflurane, Methoxyflurane,) have been reported to occur
in the liver and kidneys (Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Katzung,
p. 410). I suspect that, fluoride poisoning causes antigens in the
thyroid gland, resulting in the autoimmune attack of the gland,
called thyroiditis? An alternate hypothesis for this "Thyroid storm"
is that the patient had a low thyroid condition, caused by her age,
50, and chronic exposure to fluoride in her drinking water, which is
known to cause menorrhagia by lowering the levels of estrogen,
progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone.
She probably had a low cortisol level as well. Had the physician
recognized these hormonal deficiencies, and treated her with some
natural thyroid hormone and cortisol, and some natural
estrogen/progesterone transdermal cream, the bleeding may have
stopped with the rise in estrogen and progesterone allowing the
endometrium to heal and making the surgery unnecessary. Dr. William
Mck. Jefferies found that low cortisol was often the cause of
menstrual abnormalities, which resolved with cortisol
supplementation. Low cortisol can result from low thyroid levels,
and that can be caused by fluoride poisoning! I think a proper
treatment for thyroid storm would be to give hydrocortisone, intra-
venously, at a high enough level to strengthen the lysosomal
membranes, which would stop the auto-immune attack. The cortisol
would also allow the body to recover from the stress of the "thyroid
storm". Then the hydrocortisone levels should be slowly reduced down
to a phsiologically normal level of about 20 mg/day. The cortisol
reserve should be checked with the ACTH stimulation test. If the
adrenal cortex is found to be unable to make sufficient cortisol,
hydrocortisone should be continued at a physiological dosage,
probably for the lifetime of the patient.

CARCINOGENIC
Fluoride is known to be highly carcinogenic, at levels found in
drinking water, and is especially implicated in bone, gastric,
liver, and kidney cancers. http://www.fluoridealert.org/ifin-
19.htm . By suppressing the thyroid hormone levels, fluoride lowers
the body temperature, which reduces the production of white blood
cells in the bone marrow. Fewer white blood cells patrolling the
body for invaders and mutated cells, means increased susceptibility
to infection and cancer. Fluorine is a very small atom, which
readily penetrates cell membranes including the nuclear membrane,
where it can then interact with the nuclear material, DNA. Fluorine,
being strongly electro-negative, binds readily to DNA, causing
mutations. Fluoride also denatures the enzymes, which are needed to
repair damaged DNA. I read that scientists from the National
Institutes of Health testified in Congress that fluoride is the most
carcinogenic chemical that they have ever tested!

ENZYMES, DRUGS, SEROTONIN
Fluoride is known to destroy enzymes. Enzymes are molecules that are
shape specific, determined by the charges and sizes of their atoms
and molecules. If a F- ion, or a fluoride compound with a polar F-
end, bonds to some part of an enzyme, that would change the shape
and charge of the enzyme, thereby functionally disabling it. Also,
as fluorine is the most electro-negative element, it pulls all the
electrons in its compounds towards it, causing a bipolar molecule.
The positive end of the molecule would be interactive as well as the
negative end. Imagine calcium fluoride or sodium fluoride or
potassium fluoride molecules jamming up intracellular membranes,
pores, and enzymes, or passing through and disassociating into F-
ions and K+ ions (KF is 50.41% soluble, NaF is 3.97%, and CaF2 is
0.0016% soluble). Fluoride is used as an enzyme poison because it
can disable the enzymes such as ATPASE, necessary for metabolism.
(http://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/perfluidone.pubmed.htm). It
is used in agricultural pesticides, on stored foods, in fire-ant
poison, in fumigants for buildings to kill rats and cockroaches, and
also in 1080 coyote poison. It is also used in drugs (
http://64.177.90.157/pfpc/html/drug_news.html ) such as Cipro,
Diflucan, Prozac, Paxil, Celebrex, Fluoracil, Flucanazole,
Flutamide, and halogenated anesthesias. It is interesting to note
that the effect of select serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRI's, in
Paxil and Prozac, is to disable the enzyme responsible for breaking
down serotonin. Many of the violent and suicidal behaviors known to
occur with the use of SSRI's occur because the next step in the
natural degradation process of serotonin is the creation of an
inhibitory neurotransmitter which controls aggressive, destructive,
and violent behaviors. The "Columbine High Massacre" was perpetrated
by boys on SSRI drugs. Fluoride is also known to be a powerful
destroyer of serotonin. A deficiency of serotonin is known to cause
suicidal and destructive behaviors, as well as depression. A safe
and effective treatment for depression and low serotonin levels is
the use of the nutritional precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP (5-
hydroxytryptophan). 100-200mg three times a day can effectively and
safely raise low serotonin levels, and improve mood and mental
functioning, just as effectively as the SSRI's, but without the
adverse effects.

CONSTIPATION
One of the common symptoms of fluoride poisoning (and
hypothyroidism) is constipation. Peristalsis is accomplished by
smooth muscle contractions of the muscularis mucosae, which line the
mucosa of the gut. The contractions are controlled by action
potentials dependent on calcium ion concentrations. Fluoride binds
readily and insolubly with calcium, thereby shutting down the action
potential in the nerves and muscles. If the muscles don't constrict,
peristalsis is compromised, resulting in constipation.

TESTOSTERONE
In men, testosterone levels can be very low from fluoride
poisoning. [Toxicological Profile for Fluorides, US Public Health
Service, p 156] Supplementation with testosterone may be helpful in
reversing prostate problems, erectile dysfunction, low energy, and
low libido. Men over 50 have lowering testosterone levels anyway,
and when exacerbated by fluoride, BPH can easily develop. The
prostate gland in men is analogous to the uterus in females. Because
of testosterone the fetal tissue develops into a prostate gland. In
the absence of testosterone, receptor sites in the utricle (which
surrounds the urethra) respond to estrogen and stimulate cell growth
resulting in constriction of the urethra (BPH). Andriol,
testosterone undecanoate, 40mg/day/orally is safe and effective for
raising testosterone levels. Testosterone cream used dermally is
also very effective. If testosterone is destroyed or diminished by
fluoride, in the developing fetus or male child, normal male sexual
development is adversely affected. In the US one in 160 male babies
are born with hypospadias, a malformation of the penis. Testosterone
causes the male brain and body to develop as male, and a deficiency
causes feminization. We all start out female, but because of
testosterone, males develop as males. Fluoride and stress are both
known to be very destructive of testosterone. Fluoride has been
shown to damage spermatogenesis, and sperm morphology, decease serum
testosterone levels, and cause testicular damage in animals.
Fluoride also decreases fertility in women.

ADHD AND CEREBRAL HYPOTHYROIDISM
Cerebral hypothyroidism can be caused by iodine deficiency. I
suspect that the epidemic of ADHD in children today may be caused by
an undiagnosed, low thyroid function, resulting in cerebral
hypothyroidism. That may be at least partly caused by fluoride in
foods, sodas, and water. I believe ADHD may also be caused by an
incomplete cerebral development, which can certainly be caused by
low thyroid function in the pregnant mother and/or the developing
fetus. In my research, I have found that many parents with low
thyroid conditions have children with ADHD. That could be because
both parents and children are eating and drinking the same high
fluoride food and water. However, there is often a genetic
propensity to hypothyroidism. It runs in families. MRI studies of
ADHD children have shown that parts of the brain, the pre-frontal
lobes are not functioning up to normal, and that metabolism there is
slowed, as witnessed by subnormal oxygen consumption (metabolism).
That could certainly be caused by insufficient thyroid hormone.
Evolutionarily speaking, the pre-frontal lobes of the brain are the
most advanced part of the human brain, and the most recent
evolutionary development. That is also the last part of the brain to
develop physiologically. Thyroid hormone controls the development of
the brain, and I believe a deficiency of thyroid hormone could
manifest as an incomplete development of the pre-frontal lobes. That
is the part of the brain that makes us uniquely human, allowing
planning, controlling impulsive behavior, making wise decisions,
using working memory, and maintaining emotional self-control. Recent
studies have found that the pre-frontal lobes continue developing
neurological connections, up into the twenties. Perhaps that is why
many children with ADHD "grow out of it". Insufficient thyroid
hormone makes thinking difficult, and affects working memory
adversely. I find that many people with fluoride poisoning have
trouble remembering what they are doing, and need to make and carry
lists to function daily. A regular and major complaint of people
with fluoride poisoning is that their memory is terrible. Children
with ADHD have trouble remembering what they are supposed to do, and
staying on task, in school and out. Any genetic pre-disposition to
cerebral hypothyroidism would be exacerbated by fluoride exposure.
Whether a person has sustained cerebral developmental damage or is
suffering from a functional low thyroid condition, and/or the neuro-
toxic effects of fluoride could be determined by various tests and
treatments. If a child has a sub-normal body temperature, has a
rough skin, and has a history of upper respiratory and ear
infections, one should immediately suspect low thyroid function and
possibly fluoride poisoning. If the front teeth are discolored,
pitted, or mottled with a milky opacity, that is a clear sign of
fluoride poisoning during the formative years. If thyroid hormone
therapy is instituted, and fluoride exposure is eliminated, the skin
and immune system should improve, as well as cerebral function. In
children the pre-frontal lobes continue to develop until the age of
about 25, so if exposure to fluoride is eliminated and thyroid
hormone levels are normalized, it may be possible that the brain
function will normalize. In adults, limiting exposure to fluoride
and normalizing thyroid hormone levels are known to have a positive
effect on mental function and mood. Normalizing thyroid hormone
levels, while removing sources of fluoride toxicosis, along with
supplementation with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, L-
tyrosine, selenium, 5-HTP, and a high protein diet may bring
improvement quickly if the damage to the brain is not permanent.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
The most effective therapy for preventing and reversing fluoride
poisoning is to stop the intake of fluorides in water, food, drugs,
and other sources, and to supplement the diet with a good quality,
high dosage multi-vitamin/mineral supplement taken with each meal.
Also, supplementation with extra calcium, magnesium, iodine, vitamin
D, vitamin C, vitamin E, and Selenium may help. The calcium and
magnesium form insoluble compounds with fluoride in the gut, and
thereby prevent the absorption of the fluoride ions into the blood
stream. Taking calcium with vitamin C prevents the absorption of
fluoride in the gut, and also will detox fluoride from the body.
Also, the extra calcium and magnesium will bind to any fluoride in
the blood stream, thereby protecting cells and enzymes, and
facilitating excretion through the urine and feces. Fluoride can be
removed from the body through sweating. Hot baths in
calcium/magnesium (Epsom salts) will pull fluoride out of the body.
An interesting note is that one treatment for hyperthyroidism in the
1940's was bathing patients in fluoridated bath water. Bathing in
hot springs waters, which are often high in fluoride, may not be as
safe or healthy as many people believe. Correcting the hormonal
deficiencies caused by fluoride poisoning is necessary to restore
and maintain metabolic balance, and thus restore health.

HIGH FLUORIDE FOODS AND PRODUCTS
Avoidance of all thyroid antagonistic foods is recommended. All soy
products including oil and soy based infant formula should be
avoided. All vegetable based cooking oils are thyroid antagonistic
except coconut oil, which is recommended highly. Coconut oil
increases the metabolic rate, lowers cholesterol, protects the
cardiovascular system, heals digestive system problems and
constipation, improves nutrient absorption, is easily digested, aids
weight loss, helps the skin and hair, and tastes good. Peanut butter
is also thyroid antagonistic. Black and green tea is very high in
fluoride and should be avoided. Some sodas have been found to have
as high as 1.1mg of fluoride in them and should be avoided
completely. Wines and grape juice are often very high in fluoride
because of the fluoride pesticide, cryolite, used on the grapes.
Fluoride dental treatments and fluoride containing toothpaste should
be banned! Cooking in Teflon pots and pans can release fluorine gas
into the food and air, which has been known to kill canaries in the
house. Phosphate fertilizer is 4-5% fluoride and is known to
increase fluoride levels in the food grown in gardens and fields
where it is used. Mono and Di-calcium phosphate is 1% fluoride, and
a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry. It is often found
in foods, supplements, drugs, and animal feeds. A number of food
containers such as pizza boxes, meat wrappers, juice boxes, can
linings, microwave popcorn containers, and many more contain Teflon
like fluorine compounds used to waterproof them. The EPA has found
such fluorinated chemicals in food, water, and the bodies of people
everywhere they have tested. Such chemicals are very persistent in
the environment, and are known to be endocrine disrupters including
thyroid. Some scientists predict that the fluorinated chemicals will
replace the chlorinated dioxins and PCB's as the most dangerous and
persistent man-made chemicals! Smelters of all kinds release large
quantities of fluorides into the air. Coal burning power plants emit
huge quantities of fluorides (8% of smokestack emissions) into the
air, which is later taken up in the plants, animals, and humans,
downwind. It is important to drink and cook with, only purified
water. The biggest source of fluoride intake for most people is
through drinking water. Reverse osmosis and steam distillation are
the only sure processes that remove fluoride from water. Fluoride
doesn't boil off, but concentrates in cooking water. Avoid fluorine
containing drugs like Cipro, Prozac, Paxil, Flonase, Diflucan, etc.
Any drug that has "flu" in the name probably contains fluorine. Many
soils and waters in the western US have high levels of fluoride.
Putting calcium and magnesium fertilizers (lime) on gardens and
fields binds up the fluoride reducing the amount taken up in the
plants. It also improves yields and quality of plants harvested as
fluoride damages many metabolic functions of plants including
photosynthesis. Avoid bone meal and mono or di-calcium phosphate as
food, fertilizer, and animal feed supplements, as they are high in
fluoride. The fluoride the U. S. uses to fluoridate city water
supplies is a toxic, waste product of the phosphate fertilizer
industry, which also contains lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and
other toxic chemicals, and it is untested for safety!

ANIMALS
All animals, domestic and wild are susceptible to fluoride
poisoning. Similar diagnosis and treatment techniques would be
effective for them as well. The normal rectal temperature for the
horse is 100.5 F. The normal temperature of the dog is 101 F. A
subnormal temperature could indicate a low thyroid condition,
possibly caused by fluoride poisoning. Arthritic swollen joints,
stiffness, and lameness are common symptoms of fluoride poisoning.
Also, weakness, immune system problems, reproductive difficulties,
and poor coat and skin problems are symptoms.

CONCLUSION
There are many places in the world where the water is not safe for
animal or human consumption. There are lakes in Kenya, along the
East African Rift Valley that have 1,000-1,600 mg/l F. Birds and
animals die when they drink the water. The Great Salt Lake in Utah
has 14mg/l F. Morton salt is made from that water! The USDA has
stated that the most destructive pollutant to animal production in
the US comes from fluoride pollution. Aluminum smelters are
notorious for poisoning everything for many miles around them.
Copper and steel smelters emit high amounts of fluoride as well.
Eight percent of coal burning power plant smokestack emissions is
fluorine gas, which is poisonous and becomes a major constituent of
acid rain. Fluoride is the 13th most common element in this Planet.
Whenever rocks containing fluoride are heated to the molten phase,
fluorine gas is released. The fluorine gas is unstable and
immediately reacts with water vapor in the air to form hydro-fluoric
acid, a major component of acid rain. Volcanoes emit high levels of
fluorides and hydro-fluoric acid. Hot springs concentrate fluoride.
Fluorspar deposits (Calcium fluoride veins) are formed by
hydrothermal deposition.
Fluoride is something we are going to have to learn to live with on
this Planet. We will have to learn to limit the adverse effects of
fluoride, by thoroughly understanding the chemistry and toxicology
of it. Much research still needs to be done. The author of this
report has found that such research is a worldwide, and ongoing, and
collaborative project. Input is welcomed. You may contact me at:
dobkinsr@...

Most of the information in this paper came from these Resources and
References:
1. Toxicological Profile of Fluorides, US Public Health
Service, 2002
2. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Katzung, Ninth Edition
3. Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology, Kleinsmith, Kish,
Second Edition
4. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, Broda O. Barnes
M.D.
5. Mysteries of the Mind, Richard Restak
6. Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil, Bruce Fife, N.D.
7. The Testosterone Syndrome, Eugene Shippen, M.D. & William
Fryer
8. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, Shils, Olson, Shike,
Ross, Ninth Edition
9. Nutritional Interventions for the Thyroid, Robert J. Thiel,
PhD. N.H.D.
10. Textbook of Human Physiology, Guyton,Tenth Edition
11. Developmental Biology, Scott F. Gilbert, Fifth Edition
12. Mood Cure, Julia Ross
13. Natural Interventions for ADHD, R.J.Thiel, PhD. N.H.D.
14. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Murray, N.D., Pizzorno, N.D.
15. Exploring Chemical Elements and their Compounds, Heiserman
16. Our Stolen Future, Colborn, Dumanoski, Myers
17. Pandora's Poison, Thornton
18. The Plutonium Files, by Eileen Welsome
19. Solved: The Riddle of Illness, Langer,M.D., Scheer
20. Safe Uses of Cortisol, Jefferies,M.D., Third Edition, 2004
21. Your Guide to Metabolic Health, Honeyman-Lowe,D.C.&Lowe,D.C.
22. The Great Thyroid Scandal, Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield
23. Root Canal Cover-up, Meinig, D.D.S.

For further information on fluoride toxicity, you may go to
these websites:
A. Fluoride Action Network, www.fluoridealert.org/
B. Comments on Draft Toxicological Profile on Fluorides,
Connett,
http://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/Fluorides.Comments.ATSDR.02.h
tm
C. Fluoride: Commie Plot or Capitalist Ploy, Joel Griffiths,
http://www.fluoridealert.org/f-industry.htm
D. Parents of Fluoride Poisoned Children,
www.bruha.com/fluoride
E. History of the Fluoride/Thyroid Antagonism, PFPC
http://64.177.90.157/pfpc/html/thyroid_history.html
F. Effect of fluoride in drinking water on children's
intelligence, http://www.slweb.org/xiang-2003.html
G. Journal of the International Society of Fluoride Research,
www.fluoride-journal.com/
H. New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation,
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof/
I. Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, (keyword
fluoride)
J. Fluoride and Chlorine in water, effects on thyroid function,
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/1986/069/69028.PDF
K. USDA Fluoride in foods and beverages database:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Fluoride/fluoride.pdf