Mysterious Mineral: Fluoride

Abstract

BACKGROUNDElements on earth since ages are known to have their own importance for normal functioning of an organism. Urbanization globally has changed constituents of soil, air and water resulting in gradual destruction of ecological balance. Deficiency or toxicity of essential minerals leads to disturbances or abnormalities in living system. Once deficient, now a common toxic molecule in toxicology and research is "fluoride". Fluoride causes various types of fluorosis namely, dental, skeletal and non-skeletal fluorosis. In recent days, due to decrease in ground water level there is a rise in water table leading to leaching of rocks which is main route of water fluoridation. Principle behind water and dental product fluoridation is protection against demineralization of dentine and bone matrix (Enamel) ultimately for maintaining mineral matrix. fluoride from external sources helps preventing cariogenic action by disrupting bacterial cell wall and fluoride in enamel matrix that is Fluorapatite which is stable than hydroxyapatite since fluorapatite maintains strong crystal matrix preventing dissolution of teeth minerals. Dental fluorosis is an early sign of detecting non-skeletal fluorosis. There is a notion on non-skeletal fluorosis that, fluoride damage DNA of various cells in many principle organs of metabolism causing mutation in signalling pathway of enzymes and proteins responsible of metabolism leading to metabolic damage and depreciation in normal cell functioning. Fluorosis is a natural phenomenon due to environmental imbalance, the solution for these disturbances also lays in natural forms, hence, antioxidants against fluoride found in vegetations and plant extracts. To name a few plant sources for counter action are: coffee infusions of different types of beans, Vit E rich sources such as olives, broccoli etc, curcumin a compound in turmeric activates antioxidants cascade in our body, resveratrol prevents ROS generation by breaking free radical chain reaction and prevents lipid peroxidation found in grapes, nuts etc., tamarind fruit pulp rich in vit C may ameliorate fluoride toxicity by preventing ROS generation, Moringa leaves and its seeds are best in fluoride absorption and excretion from body, also used for water defluoridation, vit C rich Emblica officinalis helps deteriorate effect of fluoride on IQ by protecting cholinergic neurotransmitters against fluoride induces ROS damage. Fluoride if introduced in routine blood investigations especially in fluoride belts will help in better diagnosis of underlying cause of a pathology or disorder. As a result, our future generations will be safe and protected free from pathologies and damages caused by fluorosis. This review article outlines the foundation of fluoride and fluorosis in present era concluding with simple methods in prevention of fluorosis.