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Heavy Metal Toxicity

HEAVY METAL TOXICITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO
CHELATION THERAPY

Overview

Most of the problem with heavy metal toxicity (primarily mercury) is its indolent, slow, smoldering effect that never lets the patient know that mercury is at the root of the problem. Exposure to mercury begins in the womb where the mother transfers mercury to the fetus through the placenta. Once the fetus is out of the uterus, there
are many ways for mercury and other heavy metal levels to begin to accumulate. The common areas where mercury is found are:

Auto exhaust Paint pigments and solvents
Pesticides Cinnabar (used in jewelry)
Fertilizers Laxatives
Amalgams (silver fillings) Mercurochrome/methiolate
Drinking water (tap and well) Cosmetics: mascara
Tanning weather Floor waxes and polishes
Felt Wood preservatives
Plumbing - piping Adhesives
Bleached flour Batteries
Processed foods Air conditioner filters
Fabric softeners Fish
Calomel (talc, body powder)

Mercury, Metals and Dental Health

If you are like most Americans, or most people in the world for that matter, you probably have mercury and/or other metal fillings in your mouth. Mercury fillings, also known as "silver fillings" or "amalgam" fillings, are the most common fillings in the world. Called silver because of their color, they actually contain from 45% to 52% mercury. Copper, tin, silver and zinc make up the remaining volume.

Some interesting facts related to the common dental filling (amalgam):

 Scientific research has demonstrated that mercury, even in small amounts, can damage the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland, adrenal gland, cells, enzymes and hormones, and suppress the body's immune system. Mercury has been shown to pass the placental membrane in pregnant women and cause permanent damage to the brain of the developing baby.

 Mercury is continually released from mercury dental fillings in the form of mercury vapor and abraded particles. This process is simulated and can be increased as much as 15-fold by chewing, brushing, hot liquids, etc. The World Health Organization recently concluded that the daily intake of mercury from amalgam dental fillings exceeded the combined daily intake of mercury derived from air, water and food (including fish).

 In human autopsy studies, it has been found that there is a direct correlation between the amount of mercury found in the brain and the number and surfaces of mercury fillings in the teeth.

 Mercury causes normal intestinal microflora to become mercury resistant and antibiotic resistant. Mercury resistant bacteria cause mercury in the intestinal tract to be converted back into vapor and recycled back into the body.
Antibiotic resistance is becoming a major medical concern.

 Recent scientific research has shown high levels of mercury in the brains of individuals dead from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Other research is demonstrating mercury can cause similar pathological effects in the brain as
that seen in Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) and AD. Laboratory studies of spinal fluid from ALS and AD patients has confirmed that mercury inhibits key brain detoxification of enzyme systems.

One surely can see from the above list that the body can accumulate a large quantity of destructive mercury through life from many sources including the common dental filling.

As an aside, if mercury is so dangerous, shouldn't everyone run out and have their dental fillings removed? The answer is a great big NO! The process of

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Hypothyroidism

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Description: An under active thyroid gland that causes an underproduction of thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. Virtually all metabolic processes are affected by the thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism affects both sexes at any age, but is more common in middle-aged women.

Frequent Signs and Symptoms: It is unlikely one person will have all the following symptoms, but most will have several:

 Decreased tolerance for cold; decreased sweating.
 Decreased appetite.
 Constipation.
 Chest pain.
 Coarse or slow-growing hair.
 Slow, rapid or irregular heartbeat.
 Weight pain or extreme thinness.
 Placidity or nervousness.
 Sleepiness or insomnia.
 Mental impairment, including depression, psychosis or poor memory.
 Fluid Retention, especially around the eyes.
 Dull facial expression and droopy eyelids.
 Coarse skin.
 Decreased tolerance for medication.
 Decreased sex drive and infertility.
 Menstrual disorders.
 Anemia.
 Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet.
 Deepened or hoarse voice.

Causes: Sometimes unknown. Most common causes include:

 Autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system functions abnormally and attacks the thyroid gland.
 Radioactive iodine treatment.
 Surgery for hyperthyroidism.
 Iodine deficiency in the diet.
 Decreased activity of the pituitary gland, which secretes a thyroid-stimulating hormone.
 Drugs, such as lithium, that may depress thyroid function.

Risk Increases With:

 Adults over age 60.
 Obesity.
 Surgery for hyperthyroidism.
 X-ray treatments.

Preventive Measures:

 No known measures to prevent primary hypothyroidism.
 Take replacement thyroid for life after either thyroid surgery or destruction of the thyroid gland by radiation treatment.

Expected Outcome: Usually treatable with careful thyroid-replacement therapy. The goal of treatment is to provide the body with enough thyroid substance for efficient body function. Medical evaluation may be necessary for several months to establish the correct dose of thyroid replacement. Relapses will occur if treatment is interrupted.

Possible Complications:

 Myxedema coma—life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism.
 Increased susceptibility to infection.
 Adrenal crisis with vigorous treatment of hypothyroidism.
 Infertility.
 Over-treatment over long periods can lead to bone dimineralization.

Treatment
General Measures:

 Laboratory blood studies of thyroid hormones. Lab studies can confirm the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, but they cannot indicate how much replacement therapy is needed.
 Goals of treatment are long-term thyroid replacement and recognition of symptoms to avoid over or under-dosing.
 You many require hospitalization if complicating emergencies occur, such as myxedema coma (extremely rate in warm climates, more common in cold climates).

Medications: Thyroid replacement hormones will be prescribed. Dosage requirements will depend on age, weight, sex, capacity of thyroid function, other drugs you take and intestinal function.

Activity: No restrictions. Stay as active as possible.

Diet: No special diet for hypothyroidism. Avoid constipation by eating a high-fiber diet. Weight loss diet recommended if you are overweight.

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