Today, we're going to look at fluoride toxicity. Boron can help to reduce fluoride toxicity. Fluoride is a toxic chemical that can cause severe health problems, despite the best efforts of the WHO to provide recommended levels of fluoride intake by source. Fluoride toxicity is seen in both animals and humans. But how can boron help to lower toxicity?

Welcome back to the Borates Today podcast.

Each week we cover a topic that is relevant to the industry and timely.

We cover the latest industry news.

Who are the key players in the sector?

What are the latest trends, driving demand and supply for boron.

What is the science behind boron and who's doing valuable research into

new boron applications and benefits?

We look at how boron helps in advanced energy, in food security,

and in providing nutrition.

So don't forget to check out boron applications and benefits

on our website borates.today.

Today, we're going to look at fluoride toxicity.

Boron can help to reduce fluoride toxicity.

Fluoride is a toxic chemical that can cause severe health problems,

despite the best efforts of the WHO to provide recommended levels

of fluoride intake by source.

Fluoride toxicity is seen in both animals and humans.

But how can boron help to lower toxicity?

The recommended fluoride levels by the World Health Organization, or the WHO,

suggest that many people live in areas with higher fluoride levels than are safe.

But what is fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural occurring mineral that is both necessary and dangerous,

depending on the amount consumed.

Although water with high levels of fluoride, may be say for humans

there are also dangerous to the development of children's brains.

A number of recent studies have raised concerns about the potential

negative effects of fluoride.

These studies show that through right can cause thyroid

problems, ADHD, and lower IQ.

There are still potential risks that could justify lowering fluoride levels.

While a new recommendation by the WHO is beneficial, it also has some limitations.

People living in areas with high fluoride levels, already have higher

levels than the WHO recommended levels.

In fact, the organization recommends a level of drinking

water of 0.5 to one milligram per liter for optimal oral health.

Otherwise, fluorosis can develop if the recommended dosage is

exceeded over the medium term.

Also, fluoride has been used as a pesticide to kill cockroaches

and incidental ingestions have occurred when people have mistaken

it for salt, sugar, or baking soda.

However, with the introduction of alternative pesticides, the majority of

current cases of fluoride toxicity are now caused by excessive fluoride intake

take from mouthwashes and toothpaste.

There are many sources of fluoride.

Fluoride is a common ingredient in many 'over the counter'

medicines and vitamins supplements.

It may also be added to water supplies for improving effectiveness but companies

also use fluoride as an ingredient in household products like toothpaste or

mouthwash with varying concentrations.

The symptoms of fluoride overdoses include abdominal pain, diarrhea, drooling.

I irritation headache, irregular heartbeat, nausea vomiting, shallow

breathing tremors, and weakness.

All in all, rather an unpleasant set of symptoms.

In animals, the most common source of excess fluoride intake is drinking water.

Fluoride compounds used in domestic and agricultural applications, fodder and

grasses, contaminated with industrial fluoride emissions or volcanic ash,

low quality, mineral mixtures and feed supplements are other sources

of high fluoride intake for animals.

Fluorosis in grazing animals may also be caused by soluble

fluoride, rich soil, especially when growing vegetation is limited.

Airborne fluoride toxicity is uncommon while oral fluoride

intake remains the most common way of excess fluid consumption.

Water fluoride levels as low as 1.5 parts per million can cause chronic

fluoride poisoning in several species.

The research suggests that most domestic animals have higher

water, fluoride tolerance levels.

In other countries, volcanic ash-contaminated grassland has been linked

to mortality outbreaks in grazing animals.

How can boron help?

Animals suffering from acute toxicosis can be given calcium gluconate and

magnesium hydroxide or milk orally to reduce fluoride consumption.

although the diagnosis may be poor if an enormous amount of

fluoride has been consumed.

Treatment will become ineffective once the symptoms of chronic

fluorosis start to appear.

Supplementation with aluminium salts, calcium carbonate or boron, minimizes

absorption and increases excretion.

Supplements and mineral mixes with a fluoride level of less than 1% are

advised for food producing animals.

So the development of chronic fluorosis can be slowed by limiting fluoride

exposure in young or pregnant animals.

Filtered or bottled water, if available, can also help to limit

exposure to the drinking water.

In a study of boron to reduce fluoride toxicity in buffaloes in 2008.

The research focused on the accumulation of fluorides in buffaloes and found

that boron supplement can lower effects of fluoride and toxicity in animals.

It is well known that an excessive amount of fluoride can have harmful

effects on many tissues and organs causing serious harm to animal health.

So the goal of this study was to see if boron has a good effect on

nutrient consumption in Buffalo calves.

They were provided a high flouride diet.

Three groups of four male Murra Buffalo calves aged six to eight

months each were used for this purpose.

Only the basic diet and concentrate mixture was given to the control animals.

The treatment 1 animals were fed a base diet.

a concentrated mixture and fluoride as sodium fluoride.

60 parts per million dry matter.

The animals in treatment 2, were fed a basic diet.

Concentrate mixture fluoride as sodium fluoride, 60 parts per

million again of dry matter and boron as sodium Tetra Borate with

140 parts per million of dry matter.

After 90 days of experimental feeding, a seven day metabolic

trial was done to examine the treatment's effect on consumption.

The findings suggest that boron.

i.e.

the animals in treatment 2 improves dry matter intake, fecal excretion,

and the percent of absorbed fluoride excreted via urine while

decreasing apparent adjustability, absorption and retention of fluoride.

In humans.

fluoride is an essential element for our bodies.

When ingested properly, it can enhance the oral health of infants and children.

However, if taken in excess or misused, it can cause serious problems.

Children under three years old should avoid taking any form of fluoride and

parents should encourage their children to avoid drinking sugary drinks.

Fluoride containing toothpaste is also dangerous for young children.

Children who swallow too much fluoride may develop serious health problems.

Water supplies vary in fluoride levels.

So doctors should test patients water before giving fluoride pills.

Dentists should also know how much fluoride is in local water supplies

before recommending fluoride supplements.

According to a recent article on fluoride in humans in Borates Today, boron helps to

neutralize fluoride toxicity by building stable complexes with the mineral.

Boron is a mineral that binds to fluoride in the body and eliminates it naturally.

It can also help with liver, cardiovascular and bone health as well

as metabolic disorders like diabetes.

And that's all from Borates Today.

For more information on fluoride toxicity and other health

benefits associated with boron.

Please visit Borates today.