The Wellness Files with Kari Beal

Should We Put Fluoride in Our Drinking Water? (Part 1)

15 min · 29. apr. 2026
Billede af episoden Should We Put Fluoride in Our Drinking Water? (Part 1)

Description

Cities across the U.S. are battling over a question that hits close to home: what’s really in your tap water and what could it mean for kids? In Part 1, host Kari Beal goes on the road to investigate fluoride fears concerns, breaking down the latest science on thyroid markers, IQ findings, and why dosage matters, with a leading researcher explaining what we know (and what we still don’t). RSVP for The Wellness files live here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d96a1f3f77b339a49f323e7064032 Studies: Thyroid: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11003687/ IQ: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride IQ: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/fluoride-drinking-water-does-not-harm-childrens-iq 00:00 Tap water question; why fluoride is controversial 00:00:37 Welcome + episode setup (broadcast story format) 00:01:21 Brevard, NC intro; notable choice: no fluoride in tap water 00:02:03 Parent/council member Maurice Jones shares child health concerns 00:02:26 Hypothyroidism explained; why fluoride studies worry some families 00:02:58 Expert interview: USC chemist Susan Richardson explains fluoride basics 00:03:24 Benefits at low levels; risks of too much (fluorosis) 00:03:48 EPA level (0.7 mg/L); thyroid review discusses higher exposures (~2.0 mg/L) 00:04:24 2025 IQ meta-analysis: higher levels (>1.5 mg/L) linked to small decrease; limits noted 00:05:09 “How much water?” Dose matters; bottled water as an option if concerned 00:05:36 Topical vs swallowed fluoride; toothpaste use in Jones’ family 00:06:11 What’s next: how removing fluoride affects dental health; providers decline due to politics 00:06:38 Host adds study context + new IQ study update; links mentioned 00:10:05 How to find your local water quality report + fluoride levels 00:11:07 Toothpaste backwash + kid toothpaste guidance; host’s personal note 00:12:22 Preview Part 2: higher-quality NC randomized study using toenail clippings

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