Health impacts of fluoride over-exposure in Pakistani population
Over-exposure to fluoride is a public health concern established by excessive consumption of fluoride via underground drinkable water for a long period. This results in the fluorosis which is the accumulation of fluorides in the hard and soft tissues of body. Men, women and children of all age groups are affected. The problem is worldwide in distribution and endemic in nature. The severity and duration of the fluoride toxicity rely on an individual's age, nutritional status, environment, genetic background and route of exposure. The purpose of this study will not only be able to measure the fluoride content levels in water/serum samples but also to explore and compare the relation between fluoride intake and the incidence of immunological, metabolic and neurological disorders. Such studies reveal systemic perturbations earlier and help detect physiological dysfunctions. The gut microbiome approach will assess the fluoride induced changes in the gut bacterial composition and inquire it as a possible link for disorders. New research has found that gut bacterial diversity (commensal/ probiotic/ pathogenic) is able to stimulate neural signaling pathways. Comparing the study profiles of normal and abnormal subjects, will help to identify some clues for new biomarkers in validation work.