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RFK Jr. calls for removal of fluoride from drinking water, sparking debate

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RFK Jr. calls for removal of fluoride from drinking water, sparking debate

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After former President Trump became only the second president to win a second non-consecutive term, his close advisers already began planning fresh initiatives for the new administration.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is likely to play a pivotal role in public health, recently wrote on X: “On Jan. 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.”

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“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease,” he continued.

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS EPA FURTHER REGULATE FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER DUE TO CONCERNS OVER LOWERED IQ IN KIDS

Some health professionals and expert groups have spoken against RFK’s comments, stating that fluoride should still be added to drinking water.

Here’s what to know about the controversy.

Why is fluoride added to water?

“Fluoride is an element that in some places can be found naturally in water and may also be added by drinking water systems to promote strong teeth and prevent tooth decay, especially in children,” the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told Fox News Digital in a statement.

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Fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by 25% in children and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks with then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump at a Turning Point Action Rally in Duluth, Georgia, on Oct. 23, 2024.  (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA sets limits on what is allowed and what is recommended to prevent negative impacts of excess fluoride on the bones and teeth of young children.

The optimal level of fluoride concentration in drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter of water – equivalent to approximately three drops in a 55-gallon barrel, per the CDC.

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Approximately 75% of Americans – roughly 209 million people — receive fluoridated water from community water systems, according to the above source.

Fluoride was first added to water in communities in 1945, with Grand Rapids, Michigan, becoming the world’s first city to do so — a move that the CDC has called one of the biggest public health interventions of the 20th century.

Potentially harmful effects

Many communities across the world – more than 240 – choose not to fluorinate their drinking water, reports show.

A recent review published in Cochrane Reviews found that adding the mineral to water may have only a slight benefit against tooth decay because people now brush with toothpaste containing fluoride.

The study also revealed some evidence that fluoridated water may increase the risk of dental fluorosis, which can cause white specks or a lacy appearance on the teeth.

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Approximately 75% of Americans – roughly 209 million people — receive fluoridated water from community water systems. (iStock)

In 2015, government officials decreased the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water after some children developed white splotches on their teeth, according to a previous report.

Research also shows that fluoride exposure can harm a fetus during pregnancy.

“There have been numerous studies conducted in North America linking chronic, low-level prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in the realm of intellectual functioning, attention, executive function and neurobehavior,” Ashley Malin, PhD, told Fox News Digital in an email.

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Malin, who researches the potential effects of fluoride on brain development, is an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine.

The National Institutes of Health’s toxicology program also found in a review earlier this year that drinking water with twice the amount of recommended fluoride levels is associated with lower IQ in children.

“Demineralization is natural due to our daily habits and food/drink consumption, and fluoride … helps tip the scale toward remineralization.”

But some associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have concerns about how the study was conducted, stating there was insufficient data to determine if the recommended levels of fluoride in water (of 0.7 milligrams per liter) had a negative effect on children’s IQs.

Experts urge healthy habits

While there are anecdotal reports from people who claim that fluoridated water has caused health issues — including bone cancer, arthritis and kidney disease — research studies to support these claims are not definitive, according to Healthline.

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Some experts claim there is not enough evidence to change the recommendations about fluoride.

“The concept of tooth remineralization is still at the core of this fluoride discussion,” Dr. Tien Jiang, assistant professor of oral health policy and epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

Fluoridated water may increase the risk of dental fluorosis, which can cause white specks or a lacy appearance on the teeth, some studies have shown. (iStock)

“Demineralization (loss of minerals) is natural due to our daily habits and food/drink consumption, and fluoride, along with other minerals, helps tip the scale toward remineralization.”

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Jiang urges people to be mindful of their home care habits, diet and regular dental visits.

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“To me, the focus is sometimes misplaced,” she said.

“If we all focused on more effective brushing and flossing techniques and eating and drinking habits, the majority of the dental diseases would be preventable, regardless of fluoride.”

EPA ordered to take action

In late September, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled there is enough evidence of potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water for the EPA to enact further regulations, the AP reported.

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“If we all focused on more effective brushing and flossing techniques and eating and drinking habits, the majority of the dental diseases would be preventable, regardless of fluoride,” an expert said. (iStock)

“EPA is in the process of reviewing the district court’s decision,” the agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

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“While the decision finds a risk sufficient to trigger regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act, it is important to note that the court does not ‘conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,’ and defers to EPA’s expertise as to how to evaluate and regulate fluoride appropriately moving forward,” the agency continued.

Fox News Digital reached out to RFK Jr.’s representatives for comment.

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3 Best Peptides for Weight Loss—and the Viral One Doctors Say To Skip

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3 Best Peptides for Weight Loss—and the Viral One Doctors Say To Skip


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Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state

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Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state

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Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.

This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.

The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.

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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.

A cyclospora infection often causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. (iStock)

Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.

Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.

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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.

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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.

The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.

Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. (iStock)

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Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.

The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.

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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.

The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.

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Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before eating, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted. (iStock)

Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.

Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.

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Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.

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Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report.

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Dr Oz links obesity to chronic disease surge, says GLP-1s can ‘jumpstart’ better health

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Dr Oz links obesity to chronic disease surge, says GLP-1s can ‘jumpstart’ better health

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GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.

“I’m a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly,” he said. “They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They’re not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics.”

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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.

Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.

Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured in Washington, D.C., at the Great American State Fair, where he spoke about federal health policy. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

“We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they’ll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they’re] going to make you healthy enough that you don’t have to consume health services,” Oz said.

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“We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision.”

Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.

The doctor expressed support for broadening affordable access to GLP-1 medications for Americans. (iStock)

“There are a lot of overweight people who don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don’t get access to the drug normally,” he said. “We want them to have the ability to use it as well.”

Although these access shifts could boost Americans’ overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to these medications.

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“I love the fact that the innovation that’s coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better,” he said. “But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future.”

“These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don’t need a doctor to be emphasizing.”

Medicating appropriately, combined with eating right, exercising and staying connected with others, can help make health goals attainable, the doctor said. (iStock)

While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices “makes a lot of sense,” Oz said.

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“I don’t want people being fat-shamed … I don’t want you feeling guilty that you’re gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out,” he said. “It’s not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives.”

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“But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It’s the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA.”

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