http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/993
osteoarthritis linked to fluoride Savis S, Sept 2001:
Beeber, Oct 2002: Murray 5.5.3 rmforall

[Rich Murray: I have edited this report by expanding the references, and
adding the abstract for Savos S et al (2002).]

http://www.enn.com/direct/
display-release.asp?objid=D1D1366D000000F45E142B860E3A1245
[Environmental News Network news@...]

Osteoarthritis Linked to Fluoride

>From New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof/

Saturday, April 05, 2003

Naturally fluoridated water is linked to knee osteoarthritis at levels
lower than expected (1) and in amounts many Americans consume daily,
according to a study published in "Rheumatology International."

At high doses, fluoride, a well-known tooth and bone seeking element,
undeniably damages bones and reportedly can cause arthritis (2).
However, this study, "Endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients:
relationship with knee osteoarthritis," correlates knee osteoarthritis
to fluoride at levels, 1.9 - 3.6 milligrams per liter (mg/L), that many
Americans ingest daily via food, air, water, medicines and dental
products.

Fluoride's maximum contaminant level, 4 mg/L, is set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, for public water supplies, to prevent
bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones (3).

Neither a nutrient nor essential to health, fluoride gets into tap water
through natural rock erosion, from fertilizer runoff, or when purposely
added to reduce tooth decay.

However, researchers Savas et al., found arthritis symptoms in patients
drinking water fluoride levels averaging only 2.7 mg/L.

"Unknowingly, Americans inhale or consume between 1.6 - 6.6 mg fluoride
a day (4) from varying sources, as obscure as ocean mist, and as common
as french fries and cola," says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York
State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation. "Little do they know their
fluoridated tap water and food supply could be causing their arthritic
ailments," says Beeber.

One third of American adults suffer with arthritis (5). "It's curious
that Hawaii, the least fluoridated state (9%), in mostly fluoridated
U.S., also has the least arthritic adults. It is imperative that the
government study the relationship between arthritis and ingested
fluoride," says Beeber

Organized dentistry, with little toxicology training, decided that about
one milligram daily fluoride is "optimal" for reducing tooth decay - a
level they admit has never been scientifically determined (6). But
according to UNICEF, "A single 'optimal' level for daily intake cannot
be agreed upon because the nutritional status of individuals, which
varies greatly, influences the rate at which fluoride is absorbed by the
body. A diet poor in calcium for example, increases the body's retention
of fluoride." (7)

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disorder characterized by degeneration
of joint cartilage and adjacent bone that can cause joint pain and
stiffness. (8)

In this study, an endemic fluorosis group was compared to a control
group.
"The severity of osteoarthritis was greater in patients with endemic
fluorosis than controls, both clinically and radiologically," Savas et
al. report.

Endemic fluorosis for this study was defined as:
1) Living in the endemic fluorosis region since birth
2) having mottled tooth enamel, indicating dental fluorosis
3) consuming water with fluoride levels above 1.2 ppm
4) a urine fluoride level greater than 1.5 mg/l

The mean fluoride level in the drinking water, serum and urine was
significantly higher in patients with fluorosis than in controls.

References:

(1) "Endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients: relationship with knee
osteoarthritis," Rheumatology International, 200l Sep; 21(1): 30-5, by
Savas S, Cetin M, Akdogan M, Heybeli N
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/
query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11678300&dopt=Abstract

(2) http://www.fluoridealert.org/arthritis-fluorosis.htm full text
Symposium on the non-skeletal phase of chronic fluorosis: the joints
Fluoride 1976 Jan; 9(1): 19-24 [19 references]
Teotia SPS, Teotia M, and Teotia NPS
Department of Human Metabolism, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India.

SUMMARY: Of 300 patients with endemic skeletal fluorosis 187 (110
children and 77 adults) showed evidence of arthritis.

The spine, especially its cervical portion, appeared to be mainly
involved; elbow, hip and knee joints followed next in order.

(3) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
List of Drinking Water Contaminants & MCLs
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html#mcls

(4) Review of Fluoride: Benefits and Risks, Report of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Fluoride of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental
Health and Related Programs. Department of Health and Human Services,
USA. 1991

(5) http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r021024.htm
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication Division of Media Relations
Press Release October 24, 2002 Contact: Mary Kay Sones (770) 488-6416

Arthritis and Chronic Joint Symptoms More Common Than Previously Thought

The first state-by-state survey of arthritis and chronic joint symptoms
shows that 1 in 3 U.S. adults are affected, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today.

(6) "Infants' Fluoride Ingestion from Water, Supplements and
Dentifrice," Journal of the American Dental Association," December 1995,
Levy, Steven M. et al
http://www.nofluoride.com/jada.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/
query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7499663&dopt=Abstract

J Am Dent Assoc 1995 Dec; 126(12): 1625-32
Infants' fluoride ingestion from water, supplements and dentifrice.
Levy SM, Kohout FJ, Kiritsy MC, Heilman JR, Wefel JS.
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry,
University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.

Concerns about dental fluorosis and the paucity of detailed fluoride
intake data prompted this longitudinal study of fluoride intake in
infants from birth to 9 months of age. On average, water fluoride intake
greatly exceeded that from dietary fluoride supplements or fluoride
dentifrice. However, fluoride supplements and dentifrice contributed
substantial proportions of fluoride intake among children using them.
Some children had estimated fluoride intake from water, supplements and
dentifrice that exceeded the recommended "optimal" intake (a level that
has yet to be determined scientifically). Practitioners should estimate
fluoride ingestion from all these sources if considering systemic
fluoride supplementation. PMID: 7499663

Dent Clin North Am 2003 Apr; 47(2): 225-43
Current and future role of fluoride in nutrition.
Warren JJ, Levy SM.
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, The University of Iowa
College of Dentistry, N-337 Dental Science Building, Iowa City, Iowa
52242-1010, USA. john-warren@... steven-levy@...

Fluoride continues to be the cornerstone of dental caries prevention in
North America and throughout the world, and there are a variety of
sources of fluoride that may contribute to the dietary intakes of
fluoride. Although the severe effect of chronic exposures to high levels
of fluoride--skeletal fluorosis--is extremely rare in North America,
dental fluorosis has become more prevalent. To address the increase in
dental fluorosis prevalence, recommendations have been made to reduce
fluoride ingestion early in life. These recommendations have included
the introduction of lower concentration fluoride dentifrice for use by
young children, labeling of the fluoride concentration of bottled water,
and revised fluoride supplement guidelines to reduce or eliminate their
use. Because our knowledge is incomplete regarding the amount, duration,
and timing of fluoride ingestion that can result in dental fluorosis,
however, further research is clearly needed before definitive
recommendations can be made regarding the use of fluorides, including
recommended intakes of fluoride in the diet. PMID: 12699229

(7) "Fluoride in Water, An Overview" UNICEF Water Environment and
Sanitation http://www.unicef.org/programme/wes/info/fluor.htm full text

(8) Merck Manual

First Published October 2002

For information, contact: Paul S. Beeber President & General Counsel
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation nyscof@...
Web site: http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
************************************************************************

Rheumatol Int 2001 Sep; 21(1): 30-5
Endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients: relationship with knee
osteoarthritis.
Savas S, Cetin M, Akdogan M, Heybeli N.
Suleyman Demirel University Medical School, Physical Therapy and
Rehabilitation Department, Isparta, Turkey.

Fluoride excess primarily effects dental and skeletal tissues. leading
to a condition known as endemic fluorosis.

The radiological and clinical features of endemic fluorosis vary in
different parts of the world.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological
features of endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients.

Physical examination and radiological investigations were performed in
56 patients with endemic fluorosis and 40 age- and sex-matched controls.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) was the main abnormality in both groups, both
clinically and radiologically.

The radiological severity of knee OA was greater in the endemic
fluorosis group than in controls (P=0.01).

Osteophytes at the tibial condyles and superior margin of the patellar
articular surface of the femur, polyp-like osteophytes on the
non-weight-bearing medial side of the femoral condyle, and popliteal
loose bodies were detected more frequently in the endemic fluorosis
group than in controls (P=0.0001).

We suggest that the presence of atypically located osteophytes in the
knees may be a feature of endemic fluorosis in Turkish patients and that
endemic fluorosis may increase the severity of OA in the knees.
PMID: 11678300
************************************************************************

I add this most recent study by S. Savas, listed in PubMed, to indicate
his status as a qualified researcher.

Prenat Diagn 2002 Aug; 22(8): 703-9
Prenatal prediction of childhood-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in
Turkish families.
Savas S, Eraslan S, Kantarci S, Karaman B, Acarsoz D, Tukel T, Cogulu O,
Ozkinay F, Basaran S, Aydinli K, Yuksel-Apak M, Kirdar B.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University,
Istanbul, Turkey. savas@...

Childhood-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common
neurodegenerative genetic disorders.

SMN1 is the SMA-determining gene deleted or mutated in the majority of
SMA cases.

There is no effective cure or treatment for this disease yet.

Thus, the availability of prenatal testing is important.

Here we report prenatal prediction for 68 fetuses in 63 Turkish SMA
families using direct deletion analysis of the SMN1 gene by restriction
digestion.

The genotype of the index case was known in 40 families (Group A) but
unknown in the remaining 23 families (Group B).

A total of ten fetuses were predicted to be affected.

Eight of these fetuses were derived from Group A and two of these
fetuses were from Group B families.

Two fetuses from the same family in Group A had the SMNhyb1 gene in
addition to homozygous deletion of the NAIP gene.

One fetus from Group A was homozygously deleted for only exon 8 of the
SMN2 gene, and further analysis showed the presence of both the SMN1 and
SMNhyb1 genes but not the SMN2 gene.

In addition, one carrier with a homozygous deletion of only exon 8 of
the SMN1 gene was detected to have a SMNhyb2 gene, which was also found
in the fetus.

To our knowledge, these are the first prenatal cases with SMNhyb genes.

Follow-up studies demonstrated that the prenatal predictions and the
phenotype of the fetuses correlated well in 33 type I pregnancies
demonstrating that a careful molecular analysis of the SMN genes is very
useful in predicting the phenotype of the fetus in families at risk for
SMA. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID: 12210580
************************************************************************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/984
aspartame review: methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid toxicity:
Murray 5.5.3 rmforall

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA 505-986-9103

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/983
aspartame & formaldehyde toxicity: Murray 5.5.3 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
for 993 posts in a public searchable archive

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartame/ 650 member group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/989
EU votes 440 to 20 to approve sucralose, limit cyclamates & reevaluate
aspartame & stevia: Murray 4.12.3 rmforall

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/scf2002-response.htm
Mark Gold exhaustively critiques European Commission Scientific
Committee on Food re aspartame (12.4.2): 59 pages, 230 references

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/910
formaldehyde & formic acid from methanol in aspartame:
Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall

It is certain that high levels of aspartame use, above 2 liters daily
for months and years, must lead to chronic formaldehyde-formic acid
toxicity, since 11% of aspartame (1,120 mg in 2L diet soda, 5.6 12-oz
cans) is 123 mg methanol (wood alcohol), immediately released into the
body after drinking (unlike the large levels of methanol locked up in
molecules inside many fruits), then quickly transformed into
formaldehyde, which in turn becomes formic acid, both of which in
time become carbon dioxide and water-- however, about 30% of the
methanol remains in the body as cumulative durable toxic metabolites of
formaldehyde and formic acid-- 37 mg daily, a gram every month.
If 10% of the methanol is retained as formaldehyde, that would give 12
mg daily formaldehyde accumulation, about 60 times more than the 0.2 mg
from 10% retention of the 2 mg EPA daily limit for formaldehyde in
drinking water.

Bear in mind that the EPA limit for formaldehyde in
drinking water is 1 ppm,
or 2 mg daily for a typical daily consumption of 2 L of water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/835
RTM: ATSDR: EPA limit 1 ppm formaldehyde in drinking water July 1999
5.30.2 rmforall

This long-term low-level chronic toxic exposure leads to typical
patterns of increasingly severe complex symptoms, starting with
headache, fatigue, joint pain, irritability, memory loss, and
leading to vision and eye problems and even seizures. In many cases
there is addiction. Probably there are immune system disorders, with a
hypersensitivity to these toxins and other chemicals. Joint pain is one
of the most common symptoms.
************************************************************************