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Nov/Dec
1999: Dr J McLaren
Howard, DSc, FACN
John
McLaren
The effects of fluoride on the immune system: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
By: Dr John McLaren Howard, Biolab Medical Unit (UK)
(NB. Originally published in Australian Fluoridation News, Nov/Dec 1999
edition).
Many patients diagnosed with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) have a history
of initiating infection or ongoing depression of their immune systems.
The
immune system is the major defence from harmful bacteria, viruses and some
parasites. It also monitors, and acts on cells which show a potential cancer
risk. The efficiency of the immune system can be reduced in many ways.
Anything which is toxic to white blood cells may have a deleterious effect
and it is known that substances that interfere with the release of messenger
proteins and cytokines can reduce resistance to infection and increase the
cancer risk.
Immune depressed conditions such as M.E. may be exacerbated by exposure to
chemicals that affect immune functions. These 'poisons' may indeed be the
cause of some immune deficiency diseases, and they can slow down the
response of white blood cells. The white cells may attack some of the body's
other cells. This is called auto-immune disease and is seen in some M.E.
patients.
Fluoride is an example of a chemical which can slow down white cells. This
is easily demonstrated in the laboratory, using a number of microscopic
techniques.
"Fluoride is an example of a chemical which can slow down white cells."
Fluoride is one of the most toxic inorganic chemicals, but, starting in 1945
the addition of 1ppm to drinking water has been advocated as a measure to
reduce dental caries. More recent studies have shown equal reduction in
tooth decay from areas not adding fluoride to water and evidence of harm
from fluoride is increasing.
The
evidence of an increase in a type of bone cancer that affects young males
when drinking water which is fluoridated, is now very strong. Increase in
hip fracture rates have also been shown to occur at 1ppm fluoridation. A
recent survey concludes that "Fluoride is toxic to bone and increases the
risk of fracture at all levels of exposure including fluoridation at 1ppm.
Regardless of any other consideration, this is reason enough to discontinue
fluoridation immediately."
The
major consideration of relevance to M.E. sufferers is immune suppression.
Serious reduction in the migration rate of blood cells has been shown to
occur when they are exposed to 1ppm fluoride for six hours. Significant
effects were demonstrated with exposure at 0.1 ppm and migration completely
ceases at high exposure levels. When this work was repeated at the
University of Glasgow, significant effects were shown with only 30 minutes
of exposure to fluoride levels as low as 0.2ppm.
The
inhibition by fluoride has been shown to be greater than that caused by
paraquat and equal to that produced by mercury. Fortunately neither mercury
or paraquat is added to drinking water, but fluoride often is!
The
unexplained and continuing rise in diseases, including M.E., that relate to
suppression of the immune system, highlights the importance of identifying
causative or contributing factors. I am not suggesting that fluoride is the
cause of M.E., but I do believe that it can contribute to the immune
suppression that is a feature of, and may precede, this disease.
I
certainly think that M.E. patients should consider avoiding artificially
fluoridated water.
Extract from: 'Interaction', the journal of Action for M.E., Issue 14,
Autumn 1993.
What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
This is one of the many names given to a syndrome which can affect people in
differing degrees, ranging from mildly to very severely. The main symptoms
are: feelings of extreme unwellness, persistent exhaustion, muscle aches and
tenderness, all accentuated by physical effort. Every system in the body can
be affected adding a wide range of symptoms and health problems which vary
in intensity over time. Some sufferers experience severe pain, especially in
the head, neck and shoulders. Memory and ability to concentrate may be
impaired. Sufferers may become irritable and depressed. A subnormal body
temperature, tinnitus, and extreme sensitivity to light, noise and cold are
common. Many will develop allergies or sensitivities to foods or other
substances. |
