Vascular Damage and the Fluoride Connection
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown biological mechanism between the bone marrow, blood vessels, and the brain. Called the neuro-immune axis, it controls production of inflammatory cells in a way that helps protect blood vessels from damage.
This anti-inflammatory mechanism is regulated by sleep, but breaks down with frequent sleep disruption or poor sleep quality. Recent research has linked sleep deficiency to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, as well as heart disease and dementia.
Sleep-disrupted mice produced less hypocretin, a hormone made by the brain that restricts the production of colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1). Higher levels of CSF-1 led to greater vascular damage. [McAlpine et al. 2019; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute]
CSF-1 is also known as M-CSF (macrophage colony-stimulating factor). A 2010 study found that fluoride increased expression of M-CSF in the bones of rats with experimental fluorosis. [Sun et al. 2010]
Increased CSF1 is involved in disc degeneration-induced microglia activation, which may further alter neuroplasticity of the central nervous system. [Yang et al. 2018] Many studies show that fluoride activates microglia.