(OT)Fluoride can increase aluminum absorption in the GI tract

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Here's something I came across a few days ago in the BMJ's Rapid Responses. I know we had some discussion about the cons of water fluoridation in the past, but I don't believe this issue was ever mentioned. I did not know that fluoride and even drinking fluoridated water could increase the absorption of aluminum in the gastrointestinal tract. This does not sound like a "good thing" and could have implications for whatever amounts of mercury people ingest, breathe in or are inoculated with, since mercury and aluminum cause even greater damage when acting synergistically. Have any of you read/heard anything about this? Aasa Fluoridation and aluminium 13 October 2007 Exley, Reader Keele University ST5 5BG Send response to journal: Re: Fluoridation and aluminium I was surprised

that no mention was made of the role that fluoride plays in increasing human exposure to aluminium via gastrointestinal absorption? Aluminium binds fluoride with great avidity and fluoride in drinking water will both facilitate the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminium which is coincidentally present in drinking water but more importantly it will increase the absorption of aluminium from ingested foodstuffs and other beverages. Fluoridation of the potable water supply will lead to higher human body burdens of aluminium. Whether a higher body burden of aluminium should be avoided is, of course, another debate. Competing interests: None declared http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/335/7622/699 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- additional

links regarding this issue: http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/77/7/811 http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200016/000020001600A0533746.php http://books.google.com/books?id=G16riRjvmykC & pg=PA849 & lpg=PA849 & dq=fluoride+gastrointestinal+absorption+of+aluminum & source=web & ots=grGlzeEngF & sig=cBklPJfv-Dzo967xFTUxnS1aDko#PPA473,M1