MERCURY TOXICITY |  |
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Written by Innovative Medicine Health Staff
Click on the following articles to learn more about the various aspects of detoxification:
- INTRODUCTION
- Mercury in Fish
- Dental Amalgams
- Mercury in Vaccines
- Congressional Hearings on Mercury
- Treatment and Detoxification
- TABLES AND DIAGRAMS
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
According to the World Health Organization, there is no acceptable or safe level of mercury allowed in the body. Even the most miniscule amount can cause serious adverse health affects. Famous Swedish professor Berlin Matts conducted an extensive 5 year study on mercury in dental amalgams and concluded there was no safe level of mercury allowable in the body and promoted the discontinued use of them for dental fillings. As a result of Matts'study as well as numerous others, the Swedish government has now banned the use of mercury in dental amalgams [vii].
Let's take a look at how mercury reacts within a human body. Mercury is a highly reactive compound that interacts and disables many proteins and antibodies within the human body. Even a single mercury atom can wreak havoc on the body as it attacks and immobilizes vitally important compounds (usually the sulfur atoms in protein complexes). These compounds are necessary for many of the body's organs to function properly. Mercury also likes to hide in difficult to reach areas where the body, as a defense mechanism, usually covers up the molecules in order to gain another level of protection. This makes it extremely difficult to remove mercury from the body [xii].
Mercury has been linked to many degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, Autism, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis to name a few. And as mercury toxicity continues to grow, Alzheimer's cases in the U.S have more than doubled since 1980, Autism rates are increasing by 17% per year, and there are 60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease a year. The reason is that these diseases involve degeneration of nervous system cells and tissue in the brain, which is exactly what many heavy metals, especially mercury, are known to do in the body. Some symptoms of low to moderate level mercury toxicity include kidney damage, irritability, depression, nausea, nervousness, tremors, allergies and skin rashes. Not many doctors believe or agree that mercury can cause all these negative health effects despite the fact that countless medical studies have been done on the subject including a well known New England Journal of Medicine Study done only a few years ago [x].
There are 3 main ways in which people become exposed to mercury today; (1) eating fish high in mercury, (2) receiving dental amalgams and (3) receiving vaccines containing mercury [x]. Thermometers and blood pressure measuring devises also contain mercury, but the exposure to mercury via these means has been shown to be negligible.
MERCURY IN FISH
Consuming fish that contain high levels of mercury is one way many people come in contact with mercury. Mercury is emitted from plants and factories as a by product of industrial processes and volcanic eruptions. The Mercury is emitted as an inert gas and is converted into Hg (+2) in the atmosphere. The Hg (+2) is then deposited into lakes, rivers and oceans where it is converted by organic processes in sediment to methyl mercury. At this point it is consumed by fish and eventually by humans. Many studies have been done to prove the increasing levels of mercury in fish over time, including a study done on the mercury levels in the feathers of certain fish eating birds such as the Osprey [x].
**MARCH 2004 EPA AND FDA ADVISORY FOR PREGNANT WOMAN, NURSING WOMAN AND CHILDREN REGARDING MERCURY LEVELS IN FISH** |
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-Information and diagrams taken from Feb 2004 NEJM article: Block L. S., Patterson B., Ryan J., Dickey J. H., Wendroff A. P., Ross D. A., Koral S. M., Clarkson T., Magos L., Myers G. "The Toxicology of Mercury". N Engl J Med 2004; 350:945-947, Feb 26, 2004. | |
Certain fish have higher levels of mercury than others such as shark, swordfish and king mackerel (these fish should be consumed at a minimum or avoided). Some fish and shellfish containing low to moderate levels of mercury include clams, oysters, shrimp, catfish, scallops, freshwater perch, halibut, snapper, trout and haddock [vi]. The following is a list of mercury safe to dangerous fish to eat.
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Restrain to 1 serving a week | |||
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Restrain to 1-2 servings per month | |||
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Avoid any time | |||
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-Taken from a April 2005 O Magazine Article :"Tuna on Rye-Hold the Mercury, Please"-Daphne Zuniga |
Many global environmental organizations such as the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and Green Peace are fighting hard to have factories lower mercury emissions and are lobbying congress for stronger legislation to protect our waters. You can help by joining one of these organizations and lending your support.
DENTAL AMALGAMS
Mercury in dental fillings is probably the single greatest source of mercury toxicity in people today. The average mercury filling is composed of 50% mercury by weight (the other ingredients include metals such as silver and copper) which translates into half to one whole gram of mercury per filling. Studies have shown that the average filling can leak anywhere from 1-29 micrograms of mercury, in the form of mercury vapor, per day. The vapor is then absorbed back into the blood where it begins to do damage. The EPA recommends no more than .5 micrograms of mercury per kilogram per day (or about 10 micrograms) be absorbed as a safe dosage, but many contend that 0 amount of mercury is the only safe level. Many people have more than just one mercury filling, and are therefore at even higher risk [x].
A study conducted by the University of Calgary showed that mercury from dental amalgam leaks in the form of mercury vapor is absorbed by the blood and embeds itself in various organs and tissues. They placed normal mercury fillings marked with radioactive mercury in the mouths of sheep and monkeys. After some time, they placed the animals under an X-ray and found the radioactive markers throughout the bodies of the animals including the liver and kidneys. This meant that the radioactive mercury was indeed leaking and embedding itself in the organs of the animals' body [v].
The following images were taken from a 1994 BBC Panorama Report on mercury in dental amalgams:
The picture to the right is an electrical microscope picture of a ten year old amalgam filling. The black holes are where the mercury used to be. In this filling, some 40 percent has evaporated in only ten years.[v] |  |
 | The man to the left is handling old amalgam tooth fillings for recycling. Those who handle these fillings all wear significant protection because they are aware of the dangers of mercury. Once removed, what had lived inside our mouths for numerous years is suddenly treated as the dangerous poison it's always been. [v] |
Another study conducted by the BBC in a special report on the danger of mercury fillings tested the mercury vapor emitted from the mouths of school children in Great Britain. A special mercury vapor testing devise was placed near the mouths of several school children and the mercury vapor emitted was found to be very high. When the fillings were stimulated by rubbing and chewing, even higher levels of vapor were recorded. This evidence is in stark contrast to the ADA's and BDA's claims that mercury is stable in the amalgam compound form.[v] |  |
If you have dental amalgams and are interested in removing them, it is advisable that you seek the services of dentists and holistic doctors that specialize in mercury removal. When the old fillings are removed, they release a tremendous amount of mercury vapor and need to be treated with extreme care. Not every dentist is specialized in amalgam removal. Along with removing the fillings, a program of detoxification of the body is recommended. Now that the source of mercury toxicity is removed, you need to cleanse your body of the mercury embedded in your system which requires the help of competent holistic practitioners.
MERCURY IN VACCINES
Many commonly used vaccines contain high levels of mercury. Thimerosal, which is about 50% ethyl mercury, is used as a preservative in many vaccines. The levels of ethyl mercury in many vaccines have been reported as being 87 times higher than the daily allowable amount from fish. In addition, vaccines are usually given to infants and children who have much lower allowable thresholds than adults. A recently released 1991 internal memo from Merck, a leading producer of vaccines in the US, states "senior executives were concerned that infants were getting an elevated dose of mercury in vaccinations" containing thimerosal. Thimerosal is still used in vaccines to this day [i].
But the call to ban thimerosal has increased as of recent. In early 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger of California signed a bill into law that sharply limited the amount of thimerosal allowed in vaccines. Governor Schwarzenegger also stated, "I believe that an abundance of caution merits the acceleration of the process already underway to remove thimerosal from the last few vaccines that contain it". Many vaccine producers have begun to voluntarily lower the amount of thimerosal used in the vaccines they produce with one exception, the flu vaccine [iii].
CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON MERCURY
Studies have been done that link mercury and autism, especially mercury in children's vaccines. Recently Congressman Dan Burton (R-NC) convened a congressional hearing on the adverse effects of mercury in the human body; especially the link between mercury toxicity in children and autism. The panel included many top medical universities including Columbia, Johns Hopkins and the Center for Disease Control, all who were reporting on the negative effects of mercury on the body. The hearings concluded a potential connection between autism and mercury toxicity and recommended the discontinued use of thimerosal in vaccines [ii].
Then, in November of 2007, the U.S. Government conceded that there is some evidence to link vaccines with the onset of autism spectrum disorder. In the case, US Assistant Attorney General Peter Keisler wrote that medical personnel at the HHS Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (DVIC) had reviewed the case and "concluded that compensation is appropriate." The doctors conceded that the child was healthy and developing normally until her 18-month well-baby visit, when she received vaccinations against nine different diseases all at once (two contained thimerosal).Days later, the girl began spiraling downward into a cascade of illnesses and setbacks that, within months, presented as symptoms of autism, including: No response to verbal direction; loss of language skills; no eye contact; loss of "relatedness;" insomnia; incessant screaming; arching; and "watching the florescent lights repeatedly during examination." Although the case was ground-breaking, it was quietly pushed aside and the official statement of the government was that vaccines do not cause autism, rather they aggravated a condition to "manifest" autism in this case.
It is important that people let congress and vaccine manufacturers know that they no longer want mercury in the form of thimerosal in the vaccines they give their children, especially when viable safe alternatives are available, such as those promoted by celebrities Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy (Moms Against Mercury).
TREATMENT AND DETOXIFICATION
The best treatment is complete avoidance of mercury in any form or at least a significant reduction in the amount consumed. If you have dental amalgams, the best course of action is to consult a competent dentist knowledgeable about mercury toxicity who can guide you through the best course of action. Consulting a licensed and experienced holistic health care practitioner who can guide you through detoxification is also recommended.
Chelation Therapy
Chelation is a form of detoxification specific to heavy metals such as mercury. Chelators act as heavy metal binding agents. They seek out the heavy metals in the body, bind to them and then are excreted out the body through normal excretory functions (urination). Chelators can be taken intravenously or orally. EDTA is a very common chelator that is safe, effective and can be introduced quicker than most other chelators. Vitamin C is also a highly effective natural chelator and many doctors use vitamin C in the form of intravenous chelation. Another common intravenous agent is DMPS, which is the drug of choice for mercury detoxification.
EDTA comes in 2 main forms; Calcium EDTA and Magnesium EDTA. Calcium EDTA is the preferred chelator in that it doesn't extract calcium from the body. Calcium EDTA is also used as an intravenous chelator as well as safe oral chelator.
During any detoxification phase, the body is under some stress attempting to rid toxins and nutrients, vitamins and minerals are often excreted along with these toxins. The proper supplementation and replenishment of these nutrients, vitamins and minerals is essential. Often, during more advanced intravenous chelation therapies, vitamins and minerals will be combined with the chelator in the IV [xii].
As well as proper supplementation, the excretory organs must work properly in order to flush as many of the toxins (mercury) out of the body. There is no point in using a chelation agent if the liver and kidneys are not working well and cannot properly excrete what needs to be expelled.
Here at Innovative Medicine.com we offer numerous products for mercury detoxification. These contain elements that help bind and excrete mercury out of the body, support and aid the body through the detox process, and stimulate the excretory organs to maximize the detoxification process.
Innovative Medicine.com recommends seeking the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner before taking self administering supplements.
Click on the following articles to learn more about the various aspects of detoxification:
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i. Bland Ph.D, Jeffrey. The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program. Keats Publishing Inc. |
v. C. J. Poutinen. Herbs for Detoxification. Keats Publishing, 1997. |
vi. Dr Jon. "Chelation: The Love Therapy" http://cat007.com/sexhlth.htm. April 7, 2005. |
vii. Detox.org. http://www.detox.org/. April 4, 2005.
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viii. Fife, Bruce. The Detox Book: How to Detoxify Your Body to Improve Your Health, Stop Disease, and Reverse Aging, 2nd Edition. Piccadilly Books, September 1, 2001. |
ix. Haas, Elson M. The Detox Diet: A How-To & When-To Guide for Cleansing the Body. Celestial Arts, December 1, 1996. |
x. Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy With Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. Celestial Arts, March 1, 1992. |
xi. Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. 1987, Organica Press, Tampa, FL. |
xii. Holistic Med Health. http://www.holisticmed.com/detox/detox.php. April 4, 2005. |
xiii. Jacqueline Krohn, M.D., Frances A. Taylor, M.A., and Jinger Prosser, L.M.T. Natural Detoxification: The Complete Guide to Clearing Your Body of Toxins. Hartley and Marks, Publishers, 1996. |
xiv. McDonald Baker M.D, Sidney. Detoxification and Healing: The Key to Optimal Health. Keats Publishing, 1997. |
xv. Ruttenberg, Jill. "The Best Way to Detox,". Natural Health. Oct 1999, p 88-92, 152. |
xvi. World Wildlife Fund, WWF. http://www.panda.org/campaign/detox/. April 4, 2005. |
xvii. Wong, N.D., Cathy. "Detox Diet Basics". http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/a/DetoxBasics.htm. April 4, 2005. |
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