Concerns Over Fluoride in Drinking Water
The FDA Commissioner, Marty McCurry, recently expressed serious concerns about fluoride in drinking water, suggesting that it could harm children’s organs. During a speech for the American Research Fund, he criticized the fluorination process, raising alarms about potential damage to the microbiome in the digestive system.
“We introduce chemicals into our food, and while fluoridating water aims to reduce cavities, it essentially targets bacteria in our teeth, which is complicated,” he noted. McCurry described the microbiome as a delicate ecosystem, comprising about a billion bacterial species in the digestive tract. He pondered the long-term effects of fluoride on this crucial balance, especially for future generations.
“Are we inadvertently disrupting these microbiomes, similar to what antibiotics do? Is there a possibility we might alter microbiomes forever?” he questioned.
In May, citing research linking fluoride to thyroid issues, weight gain, and potential reductions in IQ, the FDA proposed banning fluoride prescription drugs for children. They also acknowledged state efforts to stop fluoridation of drinking water, but federally, the FDA currently does not regulate fluoride levels in public water supplies.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the CDC’s recommendations on community water fluorination earlier this year. He praised McCurry’s steps toward reducing prescription fluoride, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s health.
“The long-delayed halting of ingestible fluorides is finally in motion,” RFK Jr. commented, expressing his support for McCurry’s leadership on this issue. “This development takes us closer to achieving a healthier future for America.”
The FDA held a public meeting to discuss fluoride supplements, but a final decision on their ban isn’t expected until October.
