India - fluoride not only decreases production of red blood cells

Why the Govt’s Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Programme won’t produce desired results (Exclusive interview with Dr A.K.Susheela)

Nirmalya Dutta August 6, 2013

Extract

Why is the foundation against the Iron and Folic Acid supplementation programme?

Dr Susheela: We are not against iron supplementation in general and it is very much required for pregnant women but the fact is that similar programs have been tried for over 40 years and haven’t produced desired results. Women continue to be anaemic and there’s no sign of maternal and infant mortality reducing and even those taking tablets continued to be anaemic. The doctors (technical advisers) to the health ministry claimed that the women weren’t taking tablets but this was just a face-saving strategy and they’re doing more harm than good. One of the major reasons for continued anaemia is the continued consumption of fluoride through water and food. The chemical fluoride not only decreases production of red blood cells by the bone marrow but also destroys microvilli – the microscopic protrusions lining the intestine – resulting in poor absorption of nutrients critical for the biosynthesis of haemoglobin...