Public Health Issues that Affect Everyone
HSI - 8/15/2005
Public Enemy

Let's face it, Henrik Ibsen is just not as much fun as Neil Simon.

Safe to say that most of us are more familiar with Simon's "The Odd Couple" than Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" (a dour five-act drama written in 1882). And although it's lean on comedy, this Ibsen script has striking parallels with a current health issue that affects nearly everyone in the U.S.

In "Enemy," a doctor discovers that the public baths in a small Norwegian town are contaminated . At first he's praised for his discovery. But when town officials discover that the baths will be expensive to repair and will need to shut down for two years, they balk at the effect this will have on the local economy. Through misinformation and innuendo the doctor's reputation is attacked, his career ruined and his family shattered. He vows to fight on, but at the end of the play the unhealthy (and possibly deadly) baths remain open.

Like I said: Ibsen is not as much fun as Oscar throwing a plate of Felix's spaghetti at the wall. But I thought of Ibsen's tale of public health pitted against political manipulation when I came across a report that reveals an appalling effect that fluoride may have when ingested by young boys.

--------------------------------------------
Harvard's "odd couple"
--------------------------------------------

As most HSI members are aware by now, nearly every public water supply in the U.S. is treated with fluoride. For six decades this policy has been accepted as a reasonable means of preventing tooth decay. Just one problem: Fluoride isn't good for us. And it's been shown to actually HARM teeth in some cases. Even more troubling: A number of studies have linked fluoride to as many as 10,000 cancer deaths each year, with a high incidence of bone cancer among men exposed to fluoride.

That bone cancer link has been confirmed by research results that have not been published. In fact, it appears that someone may have tried to bury those results.

Last month the Associated Press (AP) reported that Harvard University officials have launched an investigation into a 1992 study that found no statistically significant link between fluoride intake and bone cancer (osteosarcoma). The study was conducted by a Harvard Medical School professor who received a research grant for more than $1 million from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The investigation was prompted by the recent uncovering of a 2001 thesis paper from a Harvard doctorial candidate in which data showed that boys who drink fluoridated water between the ages of five and 10 may have an increased risk of osteosarcoma. Some of the data in the student's study was taken from the 1992 study, raising the question: Did the professor of that earlier study intentionally bury or ignore data that would point to a link between fluoride intake and bone cancer?

And here's the kicker: The AP reports that the professor is editor in chief of the Colgate Oral Health Report; a quarterly newsletter. Colgate-Palmolive, of course, manufactures fluoridated toothpaste.

--------------------------------------------
Selective oral health reporting
--------------------------------------------

But the situation at Harvard isn't what made me think of the Ibsen drama. There's a much larger dilemma here than the possible misuse of a government grant.

A write up of the Harvard scandal that appeared in the UK newspaper The Observer speculated on fears of a growing recognition of the dangers of fluoride. If court decisions should ever begin to establish harm caused by fluoride, decades of litigation could be triggered throughout the U.S. And all of those costly lawsuits would be aimed at local governments. "Consequently," The Observer notes, "scientists have been inhibited from publicizing any adverse findings."

Just as in the Ibsen play, the identity of "The Enemy of the People" all depends on your perception of who is in the right and who is in the wrong.

And cancer isn't the only concern. In a Daily Dose e-letter titled "Fighting Back Against Fluoride" (10/31/03), William Campbell Douglass II, M.D., listed a few of the other health problems associated with fluoride intake:

• In animal trials, fluoride has been shown to enhance the brain's absorption of aluminum (the toxin shown to contribute to Alzheimer's disease)
• Several osteoporosis studies have associated hip fractures with fluoride intake
• When too much fluoride is consumed, teeth can become discolored and crumble

And how can you tell when you're consuming too much fluoride? You can't! This dental treatment, supplied by your local municipality (whether you want it or not), arrives in an unknowable dosage level. That's like your doctor saying, "You have no choice; you must take this medication. No one knows what the dosage is, so just take a lot of it."

Any doctor who tried that wouldn't be practicing medicine for long.

****************************************************

...and another thing

If the idea of living with fluoride in your body has you thinking about detoxification, that's a good thing. Unfortunately there are no detox procedures that will get rid of fluoride build up in bones and teeth, but an occasional detox CAN clear many other harmful toxins from the body and promote healthy weight loss as well.

If you'd like to try a fast and easy detox method that will help shed a few pounds, there's an excellent new approach to detox dieting developed by HSI Panelist and First Lady of Nutrition Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

I had planned to tell you a little bit about Dr. Gittleman's new book, titled "The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet," but while browsing the HSI Healthier Talk community forums I came across several wonderful comments about the book posted by a member named Lolita. So I'll let Lolita give you the basics in her own words:

"I got a copy of Ann Louise Gittleman's new book 'One Day Detox'. It has really helped to rev up my metabolism by following her plan. I think she is on target about the need to cleanse the liver and colon prior to starting a weight loss program. I think even if you are not thinking about weight loss, eating to cleanse the liver and colon are important!

"There is a 7 day prequel to the one day detox. The prequel involves adding in veggies and fruits every day for 7 days into your diet. They are focused on those that help cleanse the liver and colon. Like: lemon and orange juice, dandelion leaves, garlic, onions, daikon radish... for the liver; for the colon, psyllium, flax, carrots, apples...

"On the 8th day you fast for the entire day. There is a cranberry juice mixture with lemon, orange juice plus cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg that you drink 8 oz every hr, and alternate hours you drink 8 oz of filtered water. I really found the fasting to be easy!

"She has lots of helpful suggestions and explanations on how liver, colon, and stomach health affect the ability to lose weight. Especially interesting was her description of low stomach acid impact on bile production, insulin regulation and diabetes/obesity! It seems that low stomach acid could lead a lot of folks to put on weight. Given the number of anti-acid pills on the market, I suspect that there are lots of folks with low stomach acid!"

"The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet" has obviously won over Lolita, and I'm sure it will do the same for many other HSI members. You can find more information about the book at annlouise.com.

In addition, I have an exciting event to tell you about. On August 30th, HSI will host an hour-long teleseminar in which Dr. Gittleman will give a talk on how to jumpstart any weight-loss program while quickly eliminating harmful toxins from the body. You'll also have an opportunity to provide questions for our moderator to share with Dr. Gittleman. You can take part in this unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the country's foremost nutrition experts for just $39.

The telephone conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Call 1-800-981-7157 to reserve your place to take part in this special HSI event. Or you can use this link to sign up online:

http://www1.youreletters.com/t/166745/2379136/778494/0/

Whichever way you choose to reserve a spot, you'll need to use this code: FHSI8A.

The number of participants for this event is limited. So don't wait - call today.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:

"Harvard Looks Into Prof's Cancer Research" Denise LaVoie, The Associated Press, 7/14/05, wireservice.wired.com

"Fluoridated Water Can Cause Bone Cancer in Boys" The Observer, 6/13/05, taipeitimes.com

"Fighting Back Against Fluoride" William Campbell Douglass II, M.D., Daily Dose, 10/31/03, realhealthnews.com