The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘Good nutrition can prevent fluorosis’

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Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Good nutrition can prevent fluorosis’

M.L. Melly Maitreyi

HYDERABAD: Researchers, doctors and experts advocating the role of good nutrition in preventing fluorosis even in fluoride-affected villages have reason to cheer.

For, the case of Midland city, Texas, USA where water has high fluoride content ranging from 2.6 parts per million (ppm) to 4.6 ppm, but has no single case of fluorosis among a population of 1.04 lakh validates their belief.

Midland gives credence to studies and research data, supporting the notion that a diet rich in calcium, magnesium and Vitamin C can nullify the debilitating effects of high fluoride content, says D. Raja Reddy, consultant neurosurgeon, Apollo, who did extensive research on fluorosis.

In contrast, Nalgonda, Prakasam and other districts with fluoride content beyond permissible limits in drinking water present a pathetic picture with several cases of skeletal fluorosis, a disease that leaves individuals crippled in their productive years, he says.

However, studies in the affected districts here reveal that even in areas with de-fluoridation plants, Krishna water, people continued to suffer from skeletal fluorosis, with successive governments ignoring the importance of diet rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C in tackling fluoride toxicity in endemic areas where food crops grown in the areas too have fluoride content. The importance of nutrition was also mentioned in the research data compiled way back in 1937 by P.N. Pandit, T.N.S. Raghavachari and others published in the Indian Journal of Medical Science.

Skeletal fluorosis

Dirisavancha in Kanigiri mandal of Prakasam saw one of the first cases of skeletal fluorosis in 1937. But, despite protected water supply and de-fluoridation plant, the situation only worsened in the last six decades due to poor nutrition. The number of skeletal fluorosis cases increased. Some are undergoing surgeries for neurological fluorosis, Dr. Reddy explains.

He refers to a WHO report that says a proper diet could keep skeletal fluorosis at bay.

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