Does turmeric remove fluoride from human brain?

A Facebook post claiming the usefulness of a common household spice 'turmeric' in removing fluoride from the brain is taking rounds on social media.

The viral post claims, "Curcumin, found in turmeric, appears to raise endogenous glutathione production in the brain, a major antioxidant defence system. The study investigated the mechanisms through which fluoride induces severe neurodegenerative changes in the mammalian brain particularly in the cells of the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex."

Unfortunately, fluoride can be found just about everywhere today from drinking water to antibiotics, non-stick pans, salt, and toothpaste, making exposure to it somewhat inevitable.

Fluoride's ability to damage the brain is one of the most active areas of fluoride research today. Over 400 studies have found that fluoride is a neurotoxin.

On the other hand turmeric — and especially its most active compound, curcumin — has many scientifically proven health benefits. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, notes a Healthline article.

Fact Check

A National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) study aimed at investigating the neuroprotective ability of curcumin on sodium fluoride-related alterations of acetylcholine, catecholamines, histological changes in the hippocampus, and behavior of rats exposed to NaF during the pre-and post-natal period has found that 'NaF-exposed rats showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weight, brain weight, and behavioral activities, which were significantly reversed with curcumin treatment. The levels of epinephrine significantly increased, whereas norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine levels declined in the NaF-treated group compared with the control group, which were significantly reversed after treatment by curcumin along with NaF.'

Another study says that the usual fluoride intake happens through community drinking water. The study says, 'Neurotoxicity appeared to be dose-dependent, and tentative benchmark dose calculations suggest that safe exposures are likely to be below currently accepted or recommended fluoride concentrations in drinking water.'

Moving forward, a 2014 study done on mice concluded that, 'Treatment with the Fluoride causes an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and also increase in the neurodegenerative cells in the hippocampal sub-regions. Interestingly, co-treatment with Cur (30 mg/kg BW) with F (120 ppm) for 30 days results in significant decreases in LPO with a concomitant decrease in neurodegeneration as compared with those treated with F alone.

This clearly indicates that turmeric does have any remarkable results in removing fluoride but it can help in treating or controlling fluoride-related issues in the brain to an extent.

Also, the studies are done on mice, more human studies are needed to prove its effectiveness. The possibility of turmeric removing fluoride from the brain is not supported by evidence so far.

Hence, the claim is false.