Can fluoride ions enter the human body from the blood?

Fluoride ion is an ion of fluorine, a halogen element. It is widely present in our daily life, especially in some groundwater. Moderate supplementation of fluoride ions is good for human health. It plays a good role in bone formation and teeth protection. Each person needs about 1 to 2 mg of fluoride ions per day. This is also a relatively common trace element.

Can fluoride ions enter the human body from the blood?

Fluorine, a halogen element, is widely present in groundwater. Due to the influence of geographical, environmental, geological and other factors, the fluoride content in groundwater in some parts of my country, especially in mining areas, exceeds the standard, ranging from 1.1 mg/L to 15 mg/L, with the majority being ≤10 mg/L.

Effects of fluoride ion content on human body

A normal human body contains about 2.6 grams of fluoride, 95% of which is distributed in bones and teeth, followed by nails and hair, and very small amounts are distributed in other tissues and organs. Almost all of the soluble fluoride in drinking water is absorbed in the small intestine and stomach. The absorption rate of fluoride in food is 50%-80%, and the absorption method is passive diffusion.

Fluorine can also enter the human body through the body surface through vapor and dust. After absorption, fluoride is transported by the blood in the form of ions, and most of it is taken up by the bones. Fluoride ions can enhance the stability of the tooth structure and protect the health of bones and teeth. Therefore, an appropriate amount of fluoride not only makes bones hard, but also promotes the utilization of calcium and phosphorus and their deposition in bones, thereby strengthening bone formation. Teeth contain more fluoride. The fluoride concentration in enamel can be as high as 11% mg. The fluoride content in dentin is also higher. Therefore, fluoride helps to make teeth harder and prevents tooth decay.

The daily requirement of fluoride is 1-2 mg per person. The average person's dietary intake of fluoride is 0.8-1.0 mg, plus 2.5 mg from drinking water (calculated at 2500 ml per day). The total daily fluoride intake for a person is 3.3-4.0 mg, which is enough to meet the needs without causing toxic reactions. If excessive fluoride is ingested for a long time, it will cause fluoride poisoning, which will interfere with calcium and phosphorus metabolism. For example, fluorosis will occur, and the teeth will become brittle and fall out. Bone symptoms include joint pain, limited mobility, bone deformity and even paralysis. In a normal human body, 80% of fluoride is excreted through the kidneys, and a small amount is excreted through feces and sweat. Calcium, magnesium, aluminum, etc. can inhibit fluoride absorption. A high-calcium or high-phosphorus diet can promote the excretion of fluoride through feces. A high-fat diet can enhance the toxicity of fluoride. Therefore, a high-protein, high-vitamin, low-fat diet is beneficial for preventing and treating fluoride poisoning.

Natural fluoride compounds are highly water-soluble, so drinking water is an important source, but the content in water varies significantly from place to place. The hygienic standard for fluoride in drinking water is set at 1 mg/L.