Mineral Content of Water and Food in Fluorotic Villages and Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis

Abstract

The fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and phosphorus (P) content in potable water and food samples from endemic and nonendemic villages for fluorosis were analyzed. It was found that the F content in water was significantly higher (p<0.01) in endemic villages (4.20+/-1.6 ppm) than control villages (0.63+/-0.15 ppm), whereas the Ca, Cu, and Mg contents were found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) in endemic villages compared to control villages. However, there was no significant difference in Zn and P contents between the villages. Foods grown in endemic villages contained significantly higher (p<0.01) fluoride content as compared to control villages. There was no significant difference in Ca, Mg, P, and Zn contents in food grown in endemic and control villages. Copper content in cereals (p<0.05), pulses (p<0.01), and vegetables (p<0.01) in endemic villages was found significantly higher as compared to control villages. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis in six endemic villages was 97.4% in boys and 96% in girls, which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of control villages, where it was 10.5% in boys and 8.3% in girls. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was positively correlated (r=0.125, p<0.01) to fluoride and negatively correlated to Ca and Cu content in drinking water in endemic villages.

Level of Certain Micro and Macro Minerals in Blood of Cattle from Fluoride Polluted Localities of Udaipur, India

“…This is substantiated by the observation that supplementation of Zn, Cu and other antioxidant minerals like selenium have beneficial effects in fluoride intoxication (Liu and Kang 2003;Han-Bo et al 2001;Khandare et al 2005b). Bhargavi et al (2004) reported that lower concentration of Ca, Cu and Mg in drinking water was associated with increased prevalence of dental fluorosis in man. They further observed that prevalence of dental fluorosis was negatively correlated with Ca and Cu content of drinking water.…”

Fluoride intake and urinary fluoride excretion in 4‐ and 8‐year‐old children living in urban and rural areas of Southwest Nigeria

“…These findings may be explained by possible differences in dietary composition and patterns between rural and urban areas as well as between 4‐ and 8‐year‐olds, all of which affect F absorption and excretion. For example, an increase in the proportion of TDFI excreted in the urine has been shown for groups consuming rice‐based diets compared with sorghum‐based diets . It has also been suggested that high dietary concentrations of certain cations such as calcium in milk can reduce the extent of F absorption .…”

Fluoride Toxicity in Animals

“…Calcium, copper, zinc, and magnesium have a negative correlation with fluoride deposition in the body, whereas molybdenum has a positive correlation (Khandare et al 2005a). A study on prevalence of dental fluorosis in the human population suggested a negative correlation with calcium and copper content in drinking water in fluorosis-endemic areas (Bhargavi et al 2004). Other minerals affecting fluoride tolerance include aluminum, phosphorus, and iron .…”