Regarding Fluoride from James R. Bell, MD

I urge discontinuing fluoride addition to water supply.

Here is an article supporting my view:

 Fluoride

Fluoride is found in many things around us. It is in our toothpaste, water and
tea to name just a few. In the 1930's it was used to treat over-active thyroidglands. In 1937 the use of fluorotyrosine further emphasized its effectiveness. Many patients suffered complete loss of thyroid function with this treatment. Consequently this drug was given a new role and renamed as Pardinon and became used as a pesticide.

 Fluoride acts as an enzyme poison. Enzymes are protein compounds thatspeed up biochemical processes. There are chains of amino acids within our body that make up these complex proteins. These complex proteins are linked to simple ones called amides. It is within the amides that fluoride reacts by splitting and distorting them. This damages the enzymes and their activity.

 Fluoride is cumulative and builds up steadily in our bodies through what we eat and breath. The use of fluoride toothpastes and dental fluoride teethtreatments only further assault or already overloaded bodies. It is thought that the body can only eliminate 1/2 of the total amount taken in so as you age the amount being stored increases.

 Why is all this important? The changes in the protein structure create an issue within our body. It creates proteins that the body does not recognize so consequently it tries to get rid of them by creating antibodies that will lead to an autoimmune reaction. Common forms of thyroid autoimmune (AI) are Hashimotos (underactive AI) and Graves (over-active AI).

 The enzyme poisoning effect can eventually extend to our genes - DNA cannot repair itself and chromosomes are damaged. This can have all kinds of ramifications from fetal development to cancer.

 Applying fluoride to thyroid function we can walk through these steps:

 1. There is an enzyme process that occurs within the thyroid gland. This occurs when iodine attaches to the amino acid tyrosine. It is then converted into thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Fluoride slows down this process.

 2. The toxic effect of fluoride will stimulate the "G" proteins who's normal function is to control the uptake of substances into the body's cells. The effect of this will be to switch off the uptake of the active thyroid hormone into the cells. This will cause fatigue and a slowing of the metabolism in the body.

 3. Fluoride also inhibits the TSH output from the pituitary gland. This reduces the amount of thyroid hormones being put out.

 4. Another issue with fluoride is due to its competition for receptor sites in the thyroid gland that respond to TSH. When less TSH reaches the gland less thyroid hormone is created. This will cause a slow decline into hypothyroidism.

 Finally, fluoride also displaces iodine. Iodine is also a key nutrient in the manufacturing of thyroid hormones (see page on iodine & the thyroid). The resulting iodine deficiency not only effects the thyroid gland but all parts of the body that depend on thyroid hormone to operate at full capacity.

 Great website of the history of fluoride, thyroid & Iodine -

History of the fluoride / iodine antagonism

Thank you for taking time to review this

James R. Bell, MD