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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Ridding the Body of Toxic Mercury

Q: Dear Elena:

I have learned that I may have too much mercury in my body. I read on your website that you can test for heavy metals through hair analysis. Can you tell me how I can find out more about my levels and what I can do to reverse this.

A: Mercury is probably the most toxic non-radioactive metal in the environment. It is a poison! It is highly toxic to humans in any amount is harmful to the cells and tissues of human beings.

In 1992,the World Health Organization (WHO) declared there is no safe level of mercury for human beings - in other words, no amount of mercury absorption is safe.

The toxicity of mercury is not only from the major source of dental amalgams, but is also found in a natural state in soil and has been processed and used in a wide variety of industrial applications. Other sources of mercury contamination are from pharmaceutical medicines including vaccinations and laxatives, cosmetics, large ocean fish such as swordfish and tuna, film, plastics, and paint. We ingest or inhale inorganic mercury through our air, food, water, and soil—our bodies can even absorb it through our skin and convert it into even more highly toxic methyl mercury.

Mercury is cytotoxic. It has the capacity to bond with any chemical, which contains a particular type of molecule called "sulfhydryl", found in most proteins. The human body contains an enormous number of protein compounds and as a result mercury can bind and thus interfere in virtually every process in the body.

Mercury can occur in inorganic, organic (methyl), and vapor (elemental mercury) forms. Elemental Mercury Vapor is more rapidly transmitted throughout the body than other forms of mercury and has much more toxic effects on the central nervous system and other parts of the body than inorganic mercury according to WHO. Elemental mercury (vapor) usually is in the mouth with the vapor coming from the mercury dental/amalgams. Mercury vapor rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier accumulating in the brain and pituitary gland causing neurological and endocrine system damage.

Testing for mercury is widely available by many laboratories. Hair, urine and even blood can all be tested successfully. In my opinion, urinalysis is the most effective, especially when a chelating agent has been used. Substances such as Intravenous Vitamin C, EDTA or DMSA are used to provoke mercury excretion.

The treatments available for mercury detoxification vary depending of speed and effectiveness. The fastest way to detoxify is to do it intravenously, but it is also more costly. You can take pills by mouth but if your levels are high you could be taking mercury detox pills for months on end. Homeopathic detox for mercury is very gentle and effective but slow. Finally, if you are concerned about mercury toxicity, start with your teeth. If you have mercury amalgam fillings in your mouth and especially if they are older then 5 years, they are a significant source of contamination to you and should speak to a dentist experienced in safe removal and replacement of them.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist