Dietary Factors Affecting the Fluoride Toxicity in the Fluoridated Area of Rural Punjab

In India, millions of people are crippled by fluorosis. Though water with a high content of fluoride is the main cause of fluorosis, it is not the only source for the malady which afflicts the teeth organs and systems Food and cosmetics also contribute to fluorosis, besides of course drugs This study was conducted on 200 subjects in the rural Southwestern area of Punjab Information was drawn with regard to the demographic profile, dietary pattern, incidence of dental and skeletal fluorosis. The results showed that majority of the respondents were illiterate, involved in manual labor and agriculture and belonged 10 a very low socioeconomic group The prevalence of dental as well as skeletal fluorosis was higher in men as compared 10 women. Significant differences were found in the average daily food intake (except roots and tubers) between subjects free from fluorosis and suffering from severe fluorosis (Grade III) (P < 0.01) The diets of the people suffering from fluorosis were found grossly deficient in energy, protein, calcium and ascorbic acid and varied significantly from the persons free from fluorosis (P < 0.01)

Ascorbic acid · Biology · Dental fluorosis · Environmental health · Fluoride · Population · Skeletal fluorosis · Socioeconomic status · Veterinary medicine · Chemistry · Dentistry · Fluoride Effects and Removal · Medicine · Food Science