How important is fluoride for preventing cavities? And is it safe for us and our kids? Dr. Frank Zelko joins the show to tackle these questions. Dr. Zelko is a professor at the University of Hawaii and has a PhD in environmental history. He is currently working on a book about the history of water fluoridation and the latest research regarding its efficacy and health effects. Expect to go on a fascinating historical journey, and learn about the latest science so you can make your own decision about your drinking water. You can learn more about Dr. Zelko at manoa.hawaii.edu
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We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:
- Michael Roy and Mark and Julie Calhoun
Show Notes:
thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/frank-zelko
Nuggets:
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:01:33) – Environmental History
(00:04:21) – Becoming interested in water fluoridation
(00:08:25) – My introduction to Frank
(00:11:17) – Colorado Brown Stain
(00:18:26) – Alcoa & indentifying fluoride
(00:21:41) – Naturally occurring fluoride
(00:25:41) – Cavities in the 1930s
(00:28:06) – The sweet spot
(00:30:54) – Fluoride waste & preliminary research
(00:35:28) – Fluoride toxicosis symptoms
(00:44:11) – Dentistry & carries
(00:52:55) – Early health studies
(00:56:14) – Adding fluoride to the water
(01:00:31) – The Florida phosphate industry
(01:06:30) – The push for fluoridation
(01:17:19) – Scientific pushback & conspiracy theories
(01:25:52) – Suppression of anti-fluoride research
(01:28:32) – Parallels & pendulums
(01:31:01) – More recent studies on fluoride
(01:35:37) – The efficacy of fluoridation on cavities
(01:41:43) – The fluoridation for low-income argument
(01:42:40) – Where we’re at now
(01:44:41) – Should we be filtering our water?
(01:50:55) – Toothpaste
(01:55:08) – Tea & other recommendations
(01:58:42) – Politics & fluoride debates
(02:06:27) – Vaccines & serious diseases
(02:10:55) – PFAs, microplastics, & fire retardants
(02:13:59) – Where to find Dr. Zelko
