Open Letter to the City of Naples Regarding Water Fluoridation

Get fluoride out

I was recently asked to write a letter to the city of Naples (Florida) regarding water fluoridation. I thought I would share it here. You might want to forward it to your friends and family who are still not aware of the risk that fluoride poses to their health.

Did you know fluoride is linked to lower testosterone?! I didn’t, until I did a bit of research for this letter.

Enjoy!

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Dear Naples City Council Members,

My name is Dr. Leland Stillman, and I am writing as a medical doctor practicing here in Naples regarding the urgent matter of water fluoridation. Decades of scientific evidence have revealed that water fluoridation causes more harm than good. Today, I am urging you to discontinue this practice in Naples for the health of our city.

The most vulnerable among us are the unborn. Mother-offspring studies have consistently shown that higher fluoride exposure during pregnancy is associated with lower IQ in children. Even more concerning, pregnant women in fluoridated communities have been found to have significantly higher urinary fluoride levels than those in non-fluoridated areas. This has led the Editor in Chief of JAMA Pediatrics, Dr. Dimitri Christakis, to advise pregnant women to avoid fluoridated water.

Of particular concern for our male residents is fluoride's documented impact on reproductive health. Research has shown that men exposed to higher levels of fluoride demonstrate markedly reduced testosterone levels compared to those with lower exposure. Young men between 18-39 years old are especially vulnerable to these effects. This is deeply concerning because testosterone is crucial for:

• Male reproductive function

• Bone density maintenance

• Muscle mass preservation

• Cognitive function

• Metabolic health

• Overall well-being

Infants face unique risks due to their small size and developing bodies:

• They receive up to 400% more fluoride per pound of body weight than adults

• Their kidneys can only excrete 15-20% of fluoride intake, compared to over 50% in adults

• Their blood-brain barrier is not fully developed, allowing greater exposure to fluoride's neurotoxic effects

The U.S. National Toxicology Program's research supports these concerns, finding that 52 of 55 studies demonstrated lower IQ with higher fluoride exposures. The Lancet has classified fluoride as one of only eleven chemicals known to damage the developing brain.

Our low-income community members face compounded risks:

• Higher rates of conditions that increase fluoride susceptibility (kidney disease, diabetes)

• Greater likelihood of nutritional deficiencies, which increase vulnerability to fluoride toxicity

• Limited ability to avoid fluoride exposure through alternative water sources

Additional vulnerable groups include:

• Individuals with fluoride hypersensitivity, which can cause skin conditions and other symptoms

• Those with kidney disease, who have impaired fluoride excretion

• Workers in certain industries with occupational fluoride exposure

• People with certain nutrient deficiencies

The skeletal risks are equally concerning. Recent research has shown that:

• Skeletal fluorosis can develop at much lower doses than previously thought

• The condition often goes undiagnosed because it mimics common arthritis symptoms

• Some individuals can develop the condition even at supposedly "safe" fluoride levels

• Clinical studies have shown that fluoride exposure can increase bone fracture risks

The combined impact of fluoride on bone health and testosterone levels is particularly troubling, as both of these factors are crucial for maintaining strong bones and overall health throughout life. The endocrine-disrupting effects of fluoride on testosterone production may compound the direct negative effects on bone strength that have been documented in clinical studies.

As a physician bound by the principle "first, do no harm," I cannot ignore that we are imposing these risks on our entire population, including our most vulnerable citizens, without their consent. While fluoridation was implemented with good intentions, we now have substantial evidence of serious health risks, particularly to our children's developing brains, our men's reproductive health, and our residents' skeletal health.

I urgently request that the Council take immediate action to:

1. Discontinue water fluoridation

2. Implement safer alternatives for dental health promotion

3. Protect our vulnerable populations from unnecessary chemical exposure

Thank you for your careful consideration of this critical public health matter.

Sincerely,

Leland Stillman, M.D.

StillmanMD.com

Naples, Florida