A yearly decline in U.S. immune system quality (lower white blood cell count) was noted in a 40 year longitudinal study by the NIH branch on Aging in Baltimore MD (reported in the category TRENDS). Any annual decline in immune system integrity will increase rates of viral and bacterial infection as well as increase rates of cancer. Fluoride is suspected to be one of several environmental factors contributing to our current immune system decline. Scientists here reviewed the medical literature for studies investigating the negative impact fluoride has on immune system related organs including bone marrow stem cells, the thymus gland (which orchestrates T-cell production), spleen, intestinal tract and microbiome (which play a major role in immune system maturaton and creation of anti-inflammatory cells). Increased autoimmunity from fluoride was also discussed. Read more below on the largest concerns from this study and why this of particular concern to older Americans.
Although this reduction in immune system quality typically (but not always) occurs at higher doses as seen in animal studies, the fact that fluoride constantly accumulates in the human body over time would suggest older Americans (with a higher body burden of fluoride) would be particularly vulnderable to the immune weakening effects of fluoride.
ABSTRACT
Excessive fluoride intake from residential environments may affect multiple tissues and organs; however, the specific pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. Researchers have recently focused on the damaging effects of fluoride on the immune system. Damage to immune function seriously affects the quality of life of fluoride-exposed populations and increases the incidence of infections and malignant tumors. Probing the mechanism of damage to immune function caused by fluoride helps identify effective drugs and methods to prevent and treat fluorosis and improve people’s living standards in fluorosis-affected areas. Here, the recent literature on the effects of fluoride on the immune system is reviewed, and research on fluoride damage to the immune system is summarized in terms of three perspectives: immune organs, immune cells, and immune-active substances. We reviewed that excessive fluoride can damage immune organs, lead to immune cells dysfunction and interfere with the expression of immune-active substances. This review aimed to provide a potential direction for future fluorosis research from the perspective of fluoride-induced immune function impairment. In order to seek the key regulatory indicators of fluoride on immune homeostasis in the future.