WHAT IS MERCURY & WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Mercury (Hg) is the only metal that is liquid in home temperature in its elemental form and is considered the most toxic metal on the planet, second only to plutonium.  Exposure to mercury can be a contributing factor for depression, autism, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, memory loss and lapses in concentration and cognitive functions.  Learn more……………………

Hg, also known as elemental mercury, quicksilver, or liquid metallic mercury, is poorly absorbed by ingestion and skin contact, however it has the ability to release mercury vapor that creates toxic effects.  50% of amalgam (silver) dental fillings consist of elemental mercury. Studies have also shown that Hg Inorganic mercury compounds, such as mercury salts, can cause erythema of extremities, chest and nose, polyneuritis and GI symptoms.

Hg² Organic mercury compounds come in two forms:  Methyl mercury accumulates in fish muscles and is extremely toxic.  Ethyl mercury — Thiomersal is used as a topical antiseptic and a vaccine preservative. Thiomersal has been implicated as a possible cause of autism and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has been in the process of reviewing its use as a vaccine preservative and is also reconsidering the increase in the number of vaccinations administered to children. Multiple studies point to the fact that the increase in the number of vaccinations seems to coincide with the current autism epidemic.  In the 80’s thiomersal was removed from animal vaccines and in 2001 was removed from vaccines given to children; however it still remains a preservative in many vaccines used for adults.

HOW DO I GET MERCURY TOXICITY?

Sources of mercury exposure

• Dental Amalgam
• Fish, especially tuna, marlin and shark
• Pesticides, fungicides
• Paint, especially marine
• Mercurial skin creams
• Broken mercury thermometers with inadequate removal
• Thiomersal (medical preservative)
• Medical and scientific calibration instruments (manometers)
• Sites of devastating accidents, such as 9/11
• Fluorescent light tubes, especially older models
• Geothermal or geological polluted drinking water
• Industrial air pollution from coal fired power stations
• Crematoria and environs

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF MERCURY TOXICITY?

Gross

Ataxia, intention tremors, uncoordinated, dysarrthria (inarticulate speech), psychomotor retardation

Subtle

• Motor affects: progressive uncoordination, imbalance and fine motor tremors in muscles that perform fine motor control like fine tremors of the tongue, lips or outstretched fingers.
• Hypersalivation (excessive saliva) with pooling of saliva
• Cold but erythematosus (reddish) hands and feet
• Unstable, changeable moods (emotional lability)
• Insidious loss of mental capacity (progressively affecting memory and logical reasoning)

A personality characterized by irritability, anxiety, depression, and restlessness, with lapses in concentration, memory and cognitive function

WHEN SHOULD I SUSPECT MERCURY TOXICITY?

• Clinical picture characterized by neurological, psychiatric symptoms or unexplained symptoms, like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, treatment resistant depression, anxiety or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Mercury fillings in childhood and adolescence, or more than 3 fillings in adulthood
• Metal taste
• Tremors
• Erethism

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE TOXICITY ISSUES AND SOME DO NOT?

We all are different. There are several factors that can affect how and if we manifest symptoms of toxicity:

1. How exposed we are to toxic metals:
   1. how many fillings we have in our mouth;
   2. how big they are, or how early in life they were put in;
   3. how much large predatory fish we are consuming;
   4. are there other metals in our mouth, such as gold or metal crowns;
   5. are we consuming any other heavy metals in foods or from our surrounding environment?
2. Is our body overloaded with different toxins that prevent us from being able to excrete them appropriately?
3. Does our diet support healthy defenses and elimination?
4. Are we under excessive stress psychologically, spiritually and/or physically?
5. Was our health affected by excessive vaccinations negatively affecting our immune system?
6. Were we physically or sexually abused in our childhood?

The genetic influence is the final factor.

IF I HAVE IT, HOW DO I GET RID OF IT?

The first step is to have all amalgam fillings removed, preferably by a holistic dentist. Chelation, the process of removing heavy metal from the body, can then be started.  In addition to chelating agents there is a need to supplement minerals, work on improving functions of the kidney and liver, and supplement vitamins and antioxidants.  For a holistic treatment to be most effective it should utilize treatment approached on all 5 levels.  When chelation begins, patients start to resolve their psychological traumas.  TheY have to be supported physically, energetically, psychologically and spiritually.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO START TO FEEL BETTER?

After removal of amalgam fillings, if done by a good holistic dentist, patients quite often feel some sort of relief within a week or so.

Chelation is started with the smallest possible dose. The dose is gradually increased if the patient is able to tolerate it. Supplementation accompanies the process. Quite often people may start to feel lighter; within several weeks they may be ready to reduce medications and supplements. For most patients the process takes 3 to 7 months. However, if the patient continues to be exposed to mercury, for example, a connection to a dentist, the process may last as long as the exposure persists. Many holistic dentists practice life long chelation in order to protect their health and as a result they remain symptom free.