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The Possible Role of Mercury Silver
Amalgam Fillings and High Levels of Mercury in Fish in Contributing
to Symptoms and Illness
Mercury is extremely toxic to the body. Although the safety of
dental filling material containing mercury has been debated in
dental circles since the 1800's, the official opinion of the American
Dental Association has been that when mercury is combined with
other metals and used in dental amalgam fillings, the toxic properties
of mercury are rendered harmless. There exists a growing awareness
among health care practitioners and researchers that this is not
the case and that a significant amount of mercury is released by
these fillings to cause health problems, especially in susceptible
individuals. Research has demonstrated that mercury vapor is continuously
released from amalgam fillings in measurable quantities from the
moment fillings are inserted into teeth. Mercury is inhaled, swallowed
and absorbed directly in the mouth. [See: Vimy, MJ & Lorscheider,
FL. J. Trace Elem. F rper. Med 3:111(1990)] In his book, "It's All
Your Head Diseases Caused by Silver Mercury Fillings ",
Hal Huggins, D.D.S. describes his breakthrough work establishing
that mercury is released from compounds that are toxic and that
these compounds can produce illness. Sequential amalgam removal
can result in remission of the illness.
Studies have linked mercury exposure from the environment with
a number and variety of illnesses including allergies, chronic
fatigue, depression, GI disorders, immune system suppression, endocrine
disorders, periodontal disease, neurological problems, reproductive
disorders, birth defects, kidney disease, heart problems, hypertension,
respiratory disorders, cancer and skin disease. Mercury can interfere
with any process or organ in the body, since it is poisonous to
all cells, but it has a marked effect on both the immune system
and the endocrine system. This has been shown by research indicating
the presence of mercury amalgam fillings in the mouth reducing
the immune system efficiency by one third to one half. If a person
has a chronic health problem for which a cause has not been found
and mercury fillings are present in the mouth, mercury toxicity
may be a contributing factor.
To test whether an individual's mercury levels may be the cause
of the problem, one can use the compound 2.3 Dimercaptosuccinic
Acid (DMSA) to chelate (bind to) mercury in a provocative
oral dose. Analyzing mercury in a collection of urine over the
subsequent 6 hours can give an indication of the mercury burden
of the body tissues. Additionally, chronic exposure to mercury
can be detected in the hair
Care must be given during the process employed in the removal
of the mercury containing fillings and should be done by a dentist
well trained in amalgam removal protocols. Large scale unprotected
removal can generate new illness or make the chronic condition
worse if these precautions are not followed. For example, rubber
dams should be placed in the mouth to prevent mercury released
during the drilling from entering the mucus membranes of the mouth.
Amalgams should be removed according to a sequence determined by
their electrical potential. The physical removal process must also
guard against exposure of the patient (as well as the dentist)
to the mercury dust and vapors of the drilling process. Remember
that the American Dental Association is very reluctant to acknowledge
the toxicity of mercury amalgam fillings and that many dentists
may not be fully aware of the special handling steps' necessary
in the removal process.
Along with replacing the fillings, it is important for the patient
to work with a physician who can help in the process of removal
of mercury from the body. The chelating agent, DMSA, can be administered
orally to facilitate the removal of mercury from tissue (organ)
storage sites. It is best used in conjunction with the removal
of mercury amalgam fillings. Additionally, nutrient supplementation
is an integral part of the recovery process, providing the body
with the tools needed to correct and compensate for the toxicity
of the metal in the body.
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What is the Urine Mercury
Test?
A provocative dose of DMSA is provided by the lab along with
a container for a 6 hour urine collection. Following instructions
given by our laboratory, a sample of this urine should be sent
to Doctor's Data Laboratory. Doctor's Data Laboratory will
measure mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum and several other
toxic minerals. When the analysis of the urine indicates high
levels of mercury or other minerals, it is a signal that the
body tissue levels are also high. For additional information
please call (337) 235-1166. |
What happens if the
test result indicates high levels of mercury?
If the mercury level is high, a prescription for DMSA can
be given to help remove mercury and other toxic metals. such
as lead, cadmium, arsenic and nickel. This should be done
in conjunction with the removal of the source( s) of the
toxic metal contamination. The dosage of DMSA generally prescribed
is between 100 and 500 mg., taken on an empty stomach, three
times per week, for 5 weeks. None is then taken for 2 weeks
and then the process is again repeated for 5 weeks. At this
point, the test should be repeated again. This cycle may
be repeated as often as necessary to reduce the toxic metal
load in the body.
Intravenous D.M.P.S. is alternate treatment of choice
to remove excess of Mercury. Both treatments must
be followed by Intravenous Vitamin “C” mineral
drip.
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What about removing the
major source of mercury from the body the silver
amalgam fillings?
It is recommended that a dentist knowledgeable in the proper
procedure of amalgam filling removal be consulted within one
month and mercury amalgam fillings be replaced with porcelain,
composite, gold or some other suitable material. |
What happens if mercury
amalgam fillings are not replaced?
Although it is emphatically recommended that mercury amalgam
fillings be properly replaced, if this is not done or is postponed,
it is predictable that tissue levels of mercury in the body
will build up again as mercury is constantly released from
the teeth. In such cases, periodically repeating urine mercury
testing and a course of DMSA chelation therapy is recommended. |
Can DMSA be taken the
day of and day after dental work involving mercury
amalgam in order to remove any "stray" amalgam
(mercury) from the body?
Yes. It is generally recommended taking an extra DMSA tablet
or capsule one hour prior to the amalgam removal procedure.
Following the removal of amalgam, a vitamin-C mineral intravenous
drip may be beneficial. |
Are there any side effects
to using DMSA?
There are usually little, if any, side effects to DMSA at the
recommended dose. However, in some cases, as the body rids
itself of the mercury, there could be some detoxification symptoms
that might occur. If this occurs, the dosage of DMSA can be
decreased to 250 mg or less. In general. the temporary ill
effects of those symptoms are far less of a problem than the
permanent ill effect of high levels of mercury in the tissue. |
What kind of improvement
should be noted using the DMSA?
Most commonly, as the mercury is removed
from the system, often people will notice an improvement
in short term memory, sharper concentration and a decrease
in "foggy" thinking. Additionally, any symptoms
or signs that have been aggravated by the presence of
mercury should improve. |
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