‘Food and health’

Press, 26 November 1981, Page 19

‘Food and health’

Sir,—Professor Beaven states in his article “Food and Health” (November 14) ostio sporosiS is more common in fluoride-deficient waters where the water is soft. Soft waters as he knows are deficient in all the main 'component minerals of bone. “New Ethicals” (September 1981) states, including some other treatments, fluoride has produced little evidence of any beneficial effects. “Patient Management” (July! 1981) states that a two-year-old' died after treatment for swal-, lowing two fluoride tablets. Professor Beaven is on the honorary editorial board of both these publications. It; .is incredible that both he. and his profession place so much importance on a trace element of conflicting importance which the- body tries to eliminate and

get rid of via kidneys, bowels, hair, teeth, joints and skin, as quick as it is taken by mouth or taken in by the lungs.— Yours, etc., NIEL KAY. November 14. 1981.

[Professor Bea ven replies: “All trace minerals are important for health. Unfortunately all soils and waters do not contain optimal levels to maintain full health. Particularly in alluvial soils and waters are such substances as calcium and fluoride in less than optimal levels. It is a scientific fact, regrettably for- those committed to an opposite view, that young, people living' in areas where fluoride is present below’ optimal * levels will ; have greatly increased rates for dental’ caries and natural tooth loss. 11l health and disability occur from loss of natural teeth in this country. Serious studies may indeed show that loss of natural teeth and illfitting dentures may be very significant in association with hospitalisation over the age of 70. There is now no shadow of doubt that those youngsters growing up in towns with satisfactory fluoride levels will have, more chance of retaining their natural teeth into old age. The medical profession, which is a caring group and whose members are trained to weigh up evidence, is therefore committed to helping to help young people retain future health. Repeated correspondence with those not prepared to accept internationally proven evidence on such matters as teeth and fluoride levels leaves less time to help those who did not have the chance to grow to old age with their own teeth.’’]