Fluoride Exposure Linked to Lower Testosterone in Young Men

A new epidemiological study found that fluoride exposure from drinking water associates with decreased testosterone levels in young and middle-aged men

Testosterone dropped most sharply in 18-39 year-olds based on fluoride burden. Surprisingly, in older men with higher fluoride exposure, testosterone increased with age instead of declining as expected. This complex relationship hints that fluoride may disrupt multiple hormonal pathways beyond the male reproductive axis.

A novel study reveals fluoride affects serum testosterone in a complex, age-specific manner, adding evidence that environmental toxicants may contribute to declining hormonal function in younger males.

Published in Biological Trace Element Research, the cross-sectional study examined fluoride exposure and two reproductive biomarkers, testosterone and androgen binding protein (ABP), in over 300 Chinese farmers.¹ Scientists divided participants into higher and lower fluoride exposure groups based on urinary fluoride levels.

Compared to the lower exposure group, men with elevated fluoride measured significantly lower testosterone overall. This depletion was most pronounced in 18-39 year olds. Paradoxically, among higher-exposed middle aged and older men, testosterone increased slightly with age instead of undergoing the expected age-related decline.

Meanwhile, ABP remained unaffected across groups regardless of fluoride burden and age. As ABP governs testosterone transport and tissue uptake, results indicate fluoride directly suppresses testosterone production rather than disrupting its wider metabolism.

Health Impacts: Bones, Sperm and Beyond

Testosterone acts pleiotropically in men to support bone density, muscle mass, fat distribution, red blood cell production, and crucial aspects of sexual and reproductive health spanning libido, sperm quality and fertility.^2,3

Declining testosterone associates with conditions spanning osteoporosis, infertility, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Younger men today average significantly lower testosterone than prior generations.⁴

Adding fluoride to this mix as an environmental suppressor compounds risks and burdens society already shoulder from broad hormonal disruption. However, mechanisms behind fluoride's complex age-specific effects remain unknown.

Notably, fluoride accumulates in bone long-term. Recent discoveries find bone cells directly regulate testosterone biosynthesis beyond the classic hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.⁵ The authors speculate skeletal fluoride accrual over decades may somehow interfere with this pathway after age 40.

Additionally, prior research shows bisphenol A (BPA) also preferentially lowers testosterone in middle-aged and older men⁶ - paralleling fluoride's interaction with age. This hints at convergent consequences across hormone-disrupting chemicals.

 Implications for Healing Naturally

These complex findings warrant future human and animal studies to elucidate mechanisms, health impacts and possible interventions for fluoride-induced testosterone decline.

Several plant compounds show preliminary promise in protecting animal reproductive organs from fluoride toxicity. These include grape seed extract,⁷ aloe vera,⁸ Moringa oleifera,⁹ Nigella sativa,¹⁰ and Withania somnifera,¹¹ The GreenMedInfo.com database contains research on over 50 natural substances which may help mitigate fluoride's toxicity.

Broader evidence supports various herbal medicines, diet and lifestyle changes for mitigating age-related testosterone loss and associated disease risks.^12-14 Suggested interventions span tribulus, eurycoma, DHEA, zinc and magnesium supplementation, weight loss, high intensity interval training, minimized stress, optimized sleep and vitamin D. View the GreenMedInfo.com database on natural approaches to raising testosterone levels here.

As research continues investigating health threats posed by pervasive environmental chemicals, men should feel empowered to proactively support optimal hormonal wellness through evidence-based natural means. Identifying, eliminating or reducing modifiable sources of fluoride, including drinking water and tea, offers one prudent step.¹⁵ 

Learn more about the harms associated with Fluoride Toxicity here.

Reference

1. Duan L, Zhu J, Wang K, Zhou G, Yang Y, Cui L, Huang H, Cheng X, Ba Y. Does Fluoride Affect Serum Testosterone and Androgen Binding Protein with Age-Specificity? A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Male Farmers. i. 2016 May 25.

2. Rastrelli G et al. Development of and Recovery from Secondary Hypogonadism in Aging Men: Prospective Results from the EMAS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Apr 1; 103(4): 1381-1388. 

3. Ruige JB et al. Endogenous Testosterone and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Levels in Healthy Physically Active and Sedentary Men. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;75(6):500-3. doi: 10.1007/s004210050192.

4. Perheentupa A, Mäkinen J, Laatikainen T, Vierula M, Skakkebaek NE, Andersson AM, Metsä-Ketelä T. A cohort effect on serum testosterone levels in Finnish men. Eur J Endocrinol. 2013 Jun;168(6):885-902. doi: 10.1530/EJE-12-0663.

5. Gerard K, Franck O. Regulation of male fertility by the bone-derived hormone osteocalcin. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014 Dec 5;382(1):521-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.10.008.

6. Zhao W et al. Effect of bisphenol-a Exporsure on sex hormone level of men. Journal of Environment & Health. 2011;28(1):36-40.

7. Wang J et al. The antagonism of aluminum against fluoride-induced oxidative stress and c-Fos overexpression in rat testes. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2014;24(2):136-141.

8. Chandra AK, Chatterjee A, Ghosh R, Sarkar M. Effect of Aloe vera on some indicators of male reproductive function in rats. Pharm Biol. 2007;45(2):136-142.

9. Luqman AO et al. Hypoglycemic effects of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in experimentally induced diabetes mellitus in mice. i. 2015;26(6):639-646.

10. Pankaj P et al. Neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2015;34(9):964-971. 

11. Mahajan RT et al. Effect of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013;12(4):312-322.

12. Lv Y et al. Meta-analysis of the effects and safety of testosterone therapy for late-onset hypogonadism. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):6425. Published 2017 Jul 27. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05709-0

13. Yeap BB et al. Do low testosterone levels contribute to ill-health during male ageing? Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2012;49(5-6):168-182. doi:10.3109/10408363.2012.725461

14. Glaser R, Dimitrakakis C. Testosterone therapy in women: Myths and misconceptions. Maturitas. 2013;74(3):230-234. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.01.003

15. Bassin EB. Fluoride's impact on the developing brain: is there cause for concern?. J Dent Hyg. 2001;75(2):123-128.