ALUMINIUM AND FLUORIDE AS EXCITOTOXINS: DANGERS ARE ALL AROUND!

The chemicals that can excite neurons to death, are called excitotoxins. In an interesting paper titled "Excitotoxicity: A possible central mechanism in fluoride neurotoxicity", Dr. Russel Blayblock lists features of Aluminium and Fluoride against that of excitotoxins (table 1). He proposes that following mechanisms are in operation.

1. Increased oxidative stress either due to;
  a. increased production of free radicals such as reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen speceis and lipid peroxidation products.
  b. reduced anti oxidant enzymes and substrates such as super oxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione.

2. Impaired glutamate transporters.

3. Microglial activation

4. and finally, mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aluminium and fluoride interact in the body to form fluoroaluminium complex that accumulates in brain. Excitotoxicity of this complex is potentiated by toxins produced by micro glial cells and DNA damage exerted as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction. Operation of these processes in a long run can ultimately lead to neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease and ALS. 

TABLE 1