Fluoride causes the human body to absorb extra aluminum
the verdict
CONTESTED
contested - evenly split
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
2 sources for · 1 against
Animal studies indicate that fluoride can increase the absorption of aluminum, while other findings note differences in human metabolism and interactions between these minerals.
Gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum.
It has recently been documented that a small amount of aluminum is absorbed from a variety of different orally administered aluminum compounds. A variety of factors including gastric acidity, fluoride ingestion, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and the quantity of aluminum ingested could theoretically modulate aluminum absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. However, partially because of the unavailability of an aluminum isotope, knowledge regarding factors which modify aluminum absorption is quite limited. In healthy individuals the absorbed aluminum is largely eliminated from the body by the kidneys. However, with renal failure the absorbed aluminum is retained and can markedly alter the body aluminum burden with resulting toxicity. In view of this finding, it is suggested that uremic patients receive the smallest amount possible of aluminum-containing, phosphate-binding gels consistent with the control of serum phosphorus levels and that alternate methods for the control of the serum phosphorus should be sought.
Published in Clinical nephrology (1985)
Effect of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and aluminum on fluoride metabolism in man
## Abstract
The studies of the interaction of fluoride with minerals in man have shown that: 1. in contrast to observations made in animals, the high intake of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in amounts that can be used in humans did not inhibit the intestinal absorption of fluoride in man; 2. the lack of effect of added calcium, given in divided doses, on the intestinal absorption of fluoride has relevance for the use of a high calcium intake during fluoride therapy for osteoporosis; 3. aluminum as the hydroxide, commonly used as an antacid in clinical medicine, significantly decreases the intestinal absorption of fluoride. This inhibitory effect, in conjunction with the known effects of aluminum-containing antacids in causing calcium loss as a consequence of phosphorus depletion, may contribute to the development of skeletal demineralization.
## Publication types
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
## MeSH terms
- Adult
- Aluminum / metabolism
- Aluminum / pharmacology*
- Calcium / metabolism
- Calcium / pharmacology*
- Fluorides / metabolism*
- Fluorides / pharmacology
- Humans
- Kid
Enhancement of aluminum digestive absorption by fluoride in rats
## Abstract
Aluminum, responsible of dialysis encephalopathy, is suspected to be involved in other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease. Absorption of aluminum from the digestive tract can be enhanced by the concommittant intake of substances such as citrate. We studied in rats and mice the interactions between fluoride and aluminum for their digestive absorption and showed that fluoride increased the levels of aluminum in plasma as much as citrate whereas aluminum decreased the absorption of fluoride. This result could be the consequence of the high affinity between aluminum and fluoride which form complexes able to increase the absorption of aluminum and to decrease the absorption of fluoride.
## MeSH terms
- Aluminum / blood
- Aluminum / pharmacokinetics*
- Animals
- Fluorides / pharmacology*
- Intestinal Absorption / drug effects*
- Male
- Mice
- Rats
- Spectrophotometry, Atomic
## Substances
- Aluminum
- Fluorides
Everything we examined (3) — 2 independent sources
This check searched the claim as stated. It did not run a separate search for evidence against it.