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Spring 2005
MERCURY POISONING
Today we hear a lot about our chemical environment. We are talking about
toxic chemicals that do harm to our bodies. By the mid-1980s the National Research Council cited that five million chemical compounds had been made by industries. In our bodies we host over 600 different chemicals, that were not residing there before the 1900s (Hatherill J. Robert, PH.D Eat to Beat Cancer, p. 33).
Mercury is a metallic element that is liquid at room temperature. Methyl mercury is the organic form that accumulates in fish, where microbes transport this most toxic form up the food chain to humans. Most abundant fish source of mercury is consumed from large predatory species like shark, swordfish, and some tuna. Other toxic sources include coal-fired power plants, the single largest source of man-made mercury emissions here in the United States.
Mercury emissions from other power plants, incinerators, and natural events such as volcanoes settle in our bodies and intercellular functions. One body system that has been making news is in the central nervous system, dealing with the brain physiology. A Mercury toxicity study recently shown on national news estimates that 4 million children born each year has been exposed to levels above the Environment Agency's safety levels.
This unsafe exposure was stated as diminishing intelligence levels.
This study was peer-reviewed by pediatricians at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, both in New York. Children of Mothers whose mercury levels where around the safety level suffer an IQ lost of less than one point. While other children that where highly exposed suffer IQ lost ranges from 1.6 points to 3.21 points, the study stated. While brain injury is only one area that has been clearly published in governmental science journals the possibilities of cellular and organ damage mutates on and on.
Other alarming sources of mercury are right in your house. Such as fabric softeners (we all use them), printer inks, some dental filling, house paints, wood preservatives, common plastics, and yes even cosmetics. And unless you eat organic food, the seeds and grains we eat are often treated with mercury compounds to ward off fungi. Also, natural waters and soils are sadly laced with high levels of this deadly pollutant.
When mercury enters the body through the bloodstream, it travel to the kidneys and could produce kidney damage or
even failure. If we inhale mercury vapors it could cause life-threatening chemical pneumonia. If we ingest mercury this chemical brings on thirst, sensations of burning in the throat, acute stomach pain and vomiting. Not a pretty picture!
What are some possible signs of chronically high levels of mercury? Hair lost, muscle weakness, arthritis, immunosuppressant disorders and neurological disease and environment allergies (Berkson, M. D., PH. D., The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough, pp. 64-65). Mercury also causes oxidative stress, thus gives birth to a mutiny of cells. This oxidative stress is caused by free radicals. These free radicals are a chemical species with an unpaired electron in the outer shell, making them unstable and reactive to create biological changes. Often they dive into healthy cells, attack or altered membranes, interfere with enzymatic reactions, and even damage DNA. The two most dangerous metals on earth to carry on this mission of mutiny are mercury and arsenic. Traditional schools of medicine treat mercury poisoning as follows: vomiting, giving charcoal, and promoting diarrhea. The use of pecillamine ( a metabolite of penicillin), is sometime given for mercury poisoning. The side effects of this drug are adverse such as delayed wound healing and possible blood vessels damage ( Berkson Burt,M. D. PH.D, The Alpha Lipoic Breakthrough,p. 66).
But there is a humble, inexpensive supplement that has been used to chelate high levels of mercury and promote excretion via the gall bladder (Gregus, Z., Stein, A., et al. 1992. Effects of lipoic acid on biliary excretion of glutathione and metals. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 114:88-96). Think of this chelating process as binding metals with your body's natural chemicals to produce a safe neutralizing mixture.
In conclusion, if you think you have mercury poisoning, seek a health care provider. Beware of the possible source of this mercury contamination. Fish is such a great source of Omega 3, so eat wisely. Choose deep sea fish, such as halibut and flounder. Stay away from fresh water fish, they have the highest amounts of mercury. Take antioxidants to prevent free radical damage caused by such lethal metals as mercury. Especially ALPHA LIPOIC ACID! Remember you are in a biochemical war. Arm your cells with bodyguards to disarm these potential heavy metal intoxicating agents.
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