Mercury Toxicity: All Too Common by Dr. David Brownstein
http://blog.drbrownstein.com/mercury-toxicity-all-too-common/
I was presenting at the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology a few weeks ago in Austin, TX. At a breakout session, I was asked by a person in the audience why I did not speak out enough against mercury poisoning.
I was shocked at this question. I thought my views on mercury were clear.
So, let me reiterate my views on mercury. Mercury is a poison with no known therapeutic value to the human body. In fact, it is one of the most poisonous metals to the human body. Mercury is known to destroy the functioning of hundreds of enzymes in the body. It is a neurotoxin that has been associated with a host of neurological and immune system disorders such as depression, anxiety, seizures, autism, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We should all try to limit our exposure to mercury.
For over 20 years, my partners and I have been testing nearly all of our patients for heavy metal levels. Our testing has shown that mercury toxicity is alive and well in the 21st Century. Over 80% of our patients have tested positive for having elevated levels of mercury via hair, serum, and/or urine testing.
Where are we being exposed to mercury? The two most common sources are from dental amalgam fillings and seafood. Mercury amalgam fillings contain 50% mercury by weight. American dentists are the second largest users of mercury in the U.S. In fact, and still place over 30 million toxic mercury fillings every year. Dental mercury in the U.S. contributes about 28.5 tons of mercury into the environment. The American Dental Association, who still defends the use of mercury fillings, should be ashamed and held liable for this disaster.
There is simply no justification for a dentist to place a toxic metal—mercury–in any living being’s mouth. Any dentist who still uses mercury amalgam fillings should have his/her license revoked. Sadly, most conventional dentists not only still use mercury, they defend the use of mercury amalgam fillings.
The dentist may claim that the mercury filling is inert—that no mercury will be released from an amalgam filling. That idea has been disproven in many studies. Every time you chew or expose the filling to hot food or drink mercury is released as a vapor which is quickly taken up by the body. Studies have clearly shown a direct correlation with the amount of mercury in the body and the number of mercury amalgam fillings.
Seafood is another source of mercury. All fish are contaminated with mercury. High mercury-containing fish include tuna and swordfish.
Because mercury toxicity is so common, I suggest that everyone should be screened for mercury toxicity—especially those suffering with any neurological disorder. Detoxifying from mercury can help overcome many illnesses. I have found the use of sulphur-containing nutrients such as MSM and alpha lipoic acid along with chelating substances like EDTA, DMPS, and DMSA invaluable in helping someone overcome mercury toxicity.
What can you do? Number one, do not let any dentist put a toxic metal in your mouth. Any dentist who defends the use of mercury does not deserve your business. In fact, it should be a crime for a dentist to place a mercury filling in any person’s mouth. If you already have mercury fillings in your mouth, see a biological dentist who is properly trained on the correct methods to remove the amalgam fillings. You can find a dentist at: www.iaomt.org.
One final note. Dentists are not the only doctors at fault here. Any physician or health care professional that recommends a mercury-containing flu shot (or any other mercury-containing substance) similarly does not deserve your business. Keep in mind that mercury is one of the most poisonous substances known to mankind. You only have one body and one brain—it is important to make the right health care decisions. Do not knowingly allow mercury to be placed in your body. Finally, work with a holistic health care provider who knows how to test for and treat elevated mercury levels.
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