Does Fluoride Lead to Hip Fractures?

by Paul Connett, PhD

Ireland is the only country in Europe with mandatory fluoridation and with more than 70% of its population drinking fluoridated water it is well above the next highest country (UK at 10%). Most European countries do not fluoridate their drinking water and yet according to WHO figures their teeth are no worse than countries that do.

The Irish mandatory fluoridation law went into effect in 1963, and in the 46 years since the government has done NO (zero) health studies on the population – just endless studies on teeth and a completely BOGUS review of the issue called the Fluoridation Forum (2002).

While the epidemiological studies on a connection between fluoridation and hip fractures are mixed, in my view and the view of the National Research Council (NRC, 2006), the weight of evidence of animal studies, clinical trials and the epidemiological studies is that excess fluoride weakens bones making them more brittle and more prone to fracture. The most convincing of the epidemiological studies is the study by Li et al (2001) who showed what  looks like a linear increase in hip fractures in the elderly drinking well water containing above 1.00 ppm, with the rates in the village with 4.3 – 8 ppm triple that of the rate in the 1 ppm village .

The NRC 2006 report requested the EPA Office of Drinking Water to perform a new risk assessment because the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for fluoride –which is based on the “best” science at the time to provide a safe Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), the regulatory standard– was not protective of human health.  Both the MCL and MCLG are 4 ppm fluoride.  Two of the adverse health effects NRC wants EPA to re-assess are involved with fluoride’s impact on the bone:

Bone fractures:  “… the majority of the committee concluded that the MCLG is not likely to be protective against bone fractures.” (page 3)

Clinical Stage 2 skeletal fluorosis:  “associated with chronic joint pain, arthritic symptoms, calcification of ligaments, and osteosclerosis of cancellous bones … the committee judges that stage II is more appropriately characterized as the first stage at which the condition is adverse to health. Thus, this stage of the affliction should also be considered in evaluating any proposed changes in drinking-water standards for fluoride.” (pages 170-171)

Thus there is a strong chance that the increased rate of hip fractures (and maybe arthritis rates as well) in Ireland has something to do with the fact that those aged over 46 have had a lifetime of exposure to fluoride (in their water, in their toothpaste, in their tea, and in their Guiness! (see the Nun’s Story on Guiness).

Remember each day approximately 50% of the fluoride ingested is mostly stored in the bone and accumulates there with age. Those with kidney impairment accumulate fluoride even faster.

Hopefully opponents of fluoridation in Ireland will force the government to take a serious look at the hip fracture-fluoridation connection- especially the Green party which is now a junior partner in that government and promised prior to the election that if elected they would end fluoridation!

Reference:

Connett, PhD, Paul, fluoridealert.org

The Sunday Times (Ireland) – April 12, 2009