(NaturalNews) Drinking water that’s been artificially fluoridated with synthetic fluoride chemicals has been shown in a new peer-reviewed study to increase the risk of underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, by 30 percent or more.

Researchers from the University of Kent in the UK, publishing their work in the Journal of Epidemiological & Community Health, found that people who consume fluoridated water are much more likely than people who don’t to suffer from a sluggish thyroid, a chronic health condition that often results in depression and obesity.

After evaluating the number of patients with thyroid conditions at general practitioners’ offices throughout England, the team, led by Professor Stephen Peckham from the Centre for Health Service Studies, observed that areas where public water is artificially fluoridated systematically had the highest prevalence of hypothyroidism.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of the thyroid condition in areas where tap water is left alone was found to be significantly less common, affirming what many earlier studies have found concerning fluoride’s displacement of necessary iodine throughout the body, a damaging process that essentially starves the thyroid gland of much-needed nutrients.

“I think it is concerning for people living in those areas,” stated Prof. Peckham about the findings. “Underactive thyroid is a particularly nasty thing to have and it can lead to other long term health problems. I do think councils need to think again about putting fluoride in the water.”

“There are far safer ways to improve dental health,” he added.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/049246_fluoridated_water_hypothyroidism_depression.html#ixzz3YIzLtgjb