Julian Center
Why I Stopped Using Mercury
A personal message from Dr. Gene Sambataro
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| It has been more than 21 years since I placed mercury amalgam in a patient’s mouth. I decided in 1987 to never place another. Up to that point, I believed, along with almost all other dentists, that the 50% mercury content in these mercury amalgams was safe. My dental education and the information being written by the American Dental Association agreed on this “fact”.
But in 1987 that all changed. I had read a number of reports showing how dangerous mercury from amalgam fillings was to the dentist and the dental staff. These reports indicated that extensive care had to be taken when handling and disposing of the mercury amalgam. I certainly didn’t want to jeopardize the health of my staff or myself. Then it occurred to me, if this stuff is so dangerous to the dental staff, wouldn’t it also be unhealthy for the patient? At this point, I wasn’t aware of the extensive scientific literature that was beginning to accumulate on how dangerous mercury amalgam was to the patient. So, my initial decision to stop using mercury in my office was based on my desire to be cautious and ultra-conservative in guarding the health of my patients and my staff. Mercury is very toxic and it does leach out of the fillings. In fact, mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive material known, including arsenic, lead, asbestos, etc. Many countries in Europe have banned mercury amalgams. There is a movement in the USA to ban mercury thermometers because of the inherent danger of mercury poisoning. However, the methyl mercury vapor that is emitted from fillings is 100 times more toxic than the elemental mercury in thermometers. What’s even more shocking though is that more than 100 million amalgam fillings are still placed in patient’s teeth in the United States every year. That’s over 50 tons of poisonous mercury! However, even with this new information, it was illegal for me to tell you why I had made the change to a mercury-free office. You see, the Maryland State Dental Board had imposed a gag rule on all dentists to prevent informing patients of the toxicity of mercury amalgams. But things are different now. There are several other states that have recently passed laws forcing dentists to inform their patients of possible dangers of mercury prior to placing their fillings. Fortunately, a judge in Baltimore has lifted the gag rule in the State of Maryland. At last, I can tell you the truth about mercury amalgams. I am still likely to get harassed by the State Dental Board, but at least I will not be breaking the law. Everyone who has mercury in their mouths is slowly being contaminated. Even infants, because of the mother’s fillings, have been found to have high mercury levels. The mercury passes through the placental barrier and, later on, through breast milk. If you are interested in learning about a protocol to check for mercury toxicity and how to eliminate this poison from your body, please contact us at the Institute. I want you to understand that mercury is not the cause of all health problems, but it is a major contributor to ill health and it may be just the factor to push you over the edge. Why expose yourself to this toxic material 24 hours a day by keeping the mercury amalgam fillings in your mouth? If you’re at all concerned about mercury poisoning, click this link to get a copy of our Mercury/Toxic Metal Sensitivity Questionnaire and mail it in with your patient application. It’s a short, 30-item evaluation that will help us decide if you suffer from mercury toxicity. Also, it is possible to measure the mercury level in your mouth with special instrumentation that I now have at the office. |
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Nov 9th, 2010
9:43 pm
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The Institute’s Position
The Institute for Biological Dentistry
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Nov 9th, 2010
9:42 pm
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Dangers of Removal
Congratulations!
If you have already decided to have your mercury amalgam fillings replaced, you have made an important decision towards enhancing and protecting your health.
However, you should know that there are definite risks involved in the removal of this highly toxic metal. That’s why you absolutely must seek out a biological/holistic/toxic-free dentist that has been trained in the proper protocol for the safe removal of mercury amalgam.
This protocol will include an exploration of your present level of mercury toxicity. We will also explore detoxification procedures that you will use after the amalgam removal. In addition, our protocol calls for special precautions for both you and the dental staff during the removal of amalgam.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
The first thing you should do is complete the free Mercury/Toxic Metal Sensitivity Questionnaire.
This will help determine whether mercury is harming you.
Your next line of defense, if you are not suffering any symptoms, is to avoid any further risk. When those old mercury amalgams need to be replaced, or if you develop new cavities, choose to have only biocompatible materials placed in your mouth.
If you are experiencing symptoms of mercury toxicity, or if you want to avoid even the possibility that your health may be jeopardized, you should consider having all your amalgams removed.
Although there is no guarantee that your symptoms will be eliminated or your illness will be relieved, several studies have shown that, if the proper protocol is followed, around 85% who choose to have their toxic fillings replaced do experience relief.
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Nov 9th, 2010
9:38 pm
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The Dangers of Removal |
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Autoimmune Disease & Mercury
Is Mercury Toxicity an Autoimmune Disorder? |
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| By Keith W. Sehnert, M.D., Gary Jacobson, D.D.S., Kip Sullivan, J.D.
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Nov 9th, 2010
9:31 pm
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Illness and Mercury |
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The Alzheimer’s Connection
New Research Connects Mercury to Alzheimer’s Disease |
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| (reprinted from a Press Release on March 26th, 2001 – from the “Retrograde Degeneration of Neurite Membrane Structural Integrity of Nerve Growth Cones Following InVitro Exposure to Mercury.”) | ||||||
| Scientists have shown that trace amounts of mercury can cause the type of damage to nerves that is characteristic of the damage found in Alzheimer’s Disease. The level of mercury exposure used in the test was well below levels found in many humans with mercury/silver amalgam dental fillings. The research conducted at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine found that the exposure to mercury caused the formation of neurofibrallar tangles, which are one of the two diagnostic markers for Alzheimer’s Disease. Previous research has shown that mercury can cause the formation of the other Alzheimer’s Disease marker, amyloid plaques. The scientists also exposed the test nerves to other elements, including aluminum, but found that only mercury caused the damage consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease. | ||||||
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| The research, published in a paper peer-reviewed medical journal, is accomplished by a video visual presentation of the effect. Utilizing digital time-lapse photography, this video shows rapid damage to the nerve cells after introduction of minute amounts of mercury. Funding for this video was provided by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). | ||||||
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Nov 9th, 2010
9:25 pm
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Illness and Mercury |
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The Autism Connection
Autism: A Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning? |
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S. Bernard, B.A., A. Enayati, M.S.M.E., L. Redwood, M.S.N., H. Roger, B.A., T. Binstock Sallie Bernard.
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| SUMMARY
Autism is a syndrome characterized by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, abnormal movements, and sensory dysfunction. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that autism may affect 1 in 150 U. S. children. Exposure to mercury can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions similar to traits defining or associated with autism, and the similarities extend to neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry. Thimerosal, a preservative added to many vaccines, has become a major source of mercury in children who, within their first two years, may have received a quantity of mercury that exceeds safety guidelines. A review of medical literature and U.S. government data suggests that (i) many cases of idiopathic autism are induced by early mercury exposure from Thimerosal; (ii) this type of autism represents an unrecognized mercurial syndrome; and (iii) genetic and non-genetic factors establish a predisposition whereby Thimerosal adverse effects occur only in some children. INTRODUCTION Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment syndrome with onset prior to age 36 months. Diagnostic criteria consist of impairments in sociality and communication plus repetitive and stereotypic behaviors (1). Traits strongly associated with autism include movement disorders and sensory dysfunction’s (2). Although autism may be apparent soon after birth, most autistic children experience at least several months, even a year or more of normal development — followed by regression, defined as loss of function or failure to progress (2,3,4). The neurotoxicity of mercury (Hg) has long been recognized (5). Primary data derive from victims of contaminated fish (Japan – Minamata Disease) or grain (Iraq, Guatemala, Russia); from acrodynia (Pink Disease) induced by Hg in teething powders; and from individual instances of mercury poisoning (HgP), many occurring in occupational settings (e.g., Mad Hatter’s Disease). Animal and in vitro studies also provide insights into the mechanisms of Hg toxicity. More recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have determined that the typical amount of Hg injected into infants and toddlers via childhood immunizations has exceeded government safety guidelines on an individual (6) and cumulative vaccine basis (7). The mercury in vaccines derives from Thimerosal (TMS), a preservative which is 49.6% ethyl mercury (eHg) (7). Past cases of HgP have presented with much inter-individual variation, depending on the dose, type of mercury, method of administration, duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity. Thus, while commonalties exist across the various instances of HgP, each set of variables has given rise to a different disease manifestation (8,9,10,11). It is hypothesized that the regressive form of autism represents another form of mercury poisoning, based on a thorough correspondence between autistic and HgP traits and physiological abnormalities, as well as on the known exposure to mercury through vaccines. Furthermore, other phenomena are consistent with a causal Hg-ASD relationship. These include (a) symptom onset shortly after immunization; (b) ASD prevalence increases corresponding to vaccination increases; (c) similar sex ratios of affected individuals; (d) a high rate for autism paralleling a genetic predisposition to Hg sensitivity at low doses; and (e) parental reports of autistic children with elevated Hg. TRAIT COMPARISON ASD manifests a constellation of symptoms with much inter-individual variation (3,4). A comparison of traits defining, nearly universal to, or commonly found in autism with those known to arise from mercury poisoning is given in Table I. The characteristics defining or strongly associated with autism are also more fully described. Autism has been conceived primarily as a psychiatric condition; and two of its three diagnostic criteria are based upon the observable traits of (a) impairments in sociality, most commonly social withdrawal or aloofness, and (b) a variety of preservative or stereotypic behaviors and the need for sameness, which strongly resemble obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Differential diagnosis may include childhood schizophrenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorder, and other neuroses. Related behaviors commonly found in ASD individuals are irrational fears, poor eye contact, aggressive behaviors, temper tantrums, irritability, and inexplicable changes in mood (1,2,12-17). Mercury poisoning, when undetected, is often initially diagnosed as a psychiatric disorder (18). Commonly occurring symptoms include (a) “extreme shyness,” indifference to others, active avoidance of others, or “a desire to be alone”; (b) depression, “lack of interest” and “mental confusion;” (c) irritability, aggression, and tantrums in children and adults; (d) anxiety and fearfulness; and (e) emotional liability. Neuroses, including schizoid and obsessive-compulsive traits, problems in inhibition of preservation, and stereotyped behaviors, have been reported in a number of cases; and lack of eye contact was observed in one 12 year old girl with mercury vapor poisoning (18-35). The third diagnostic criterion for ASD is impairment in communication (1). Historically, about half of those with classic autism failed to develop meaningful speech (2), and articulation difficulties are common (3). Higher functioning individuals may have language fluency but still show semantic and pragmatic errors (3,36). In many cases of ASD, verbal IQ is lower than performance IQ (3). Similarly, mercury-exposed children and adults show a marked difficulty with speech (9,19,37). In milder cases scores on language tests may be lower than those of unexposed controls (31,38). Iraqi children who were postnatally poisoned developed articulation problems, from slow, slurred word production to an inability to generate meaningful speech; while Iraqi babies exposed prenatally either failed to develop language or presented with severe language deficits in childhood (23,24,39). Workers with Mad Hatter’s disease had word retrieval and articulation difficulties (21). Nearly all cases of ASD and HgP involve disorders of physical movement (2,30,40). Clumsiness or lack of coordination has been described in many higher functioning ASD individuals (41). Infants and toddlers later diagnosed with autism may fail to crawl properly or may fall over while sitting or standing; and the movement disturbances typically occur on the right side of the body (42). Problems with intentional movement and imitation are common in ASD, as are a variety of unusual stereotypic behaviors such as toe walking, rocking, abnormal postures, choreiform movements, spinning; and hand flapping (2,3,43,44). Noteworthy because of similarities to autism are reports in Hg literature of (a) children in Iraq and Japan who were unable to stand, sit, or crawl (34,39); (b) Minamata disease patients whose movement disturbances were localized to one side of the body, and a girl exposed to Hg vapor who tended to fall to the right (18,34); (c) flapping motions in an infant poisoned from contaminated pork (37) and in a man injected with Thimerosal (27); (d) choreiform movements in mercury vapor intoxication (19); (e) toe walking in a moderately poisoned Minamata child (34); (f) poor coordination and clumsiness among victims of acrodynia (45); (g) rocking among infants with acrodynia (11); and (h) unusual postures observed in both acrodynia and mercury vapor poisoning (11,31). The presence of flapping motions in both diseases is of interest because it is such an unusual behavior that it has been recommended as a diagnostic marker for autism (46). Virtually all ASD subjects show a variety of sensory abnormalities (2). Auditory deficits are present in a minority of individuals and can range from mild to profound hearing loss (2,47). Over- or under-reaction to sound is nearly universal (2,48), and deficits in language comprehension are often present (3). Pain sensitivity or insensitivity is common, as is a general aversion to touch; abnormal sensation in the extremities and mouth may also be present and has been detected even in toddlers under 12 months old (2,49). There may be a variety of visual disturbances, including sensitivity to light (2,50,51,52). As in autism, sensory issues are reported in virtually all instances of Hg toxicity (40). HgP can lead to mild to profound hearing loss (40); speech discrimination is especially impaired (9,34,). Iraqi babies exposed prenatally showed exaggerated reaction to noise (23), while in acrodynia, patients reported noise sensitivity (45). Abnormal sensation in the extremities and mouth is the most common sensory disturbance (25,28). Acrodynia sufferers and prenatally exposed Iraqi babies exhibited excessive pain when bumping limbs and an aversion to touch (23,24,45,53). A range of visual problems has been reported, including photophobia (18,23,34). COMPARISON OF BIOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES The biological abnormalities commonly found in autism are listed in Table II, along with the corresponding pathologies arising from mercury exposure. Especially noteworthy similarities are described. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which has been characterized as “a disorder of neuronal organization, that is, the development of the dentritic tree, synaptogenesis, and the development of the complex connectivity within and between brain regions” (54). Depressed expression of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs), which are critical during brain development for proper synaptic structuring, has been found in one study of autism (55). Organic mercury, which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, preferentially targets nerve cells and nerve fibers (56); primates accumulate the highest Hg-levels in the brain relative to other organs (40). Furthermore, although most cells respond to mercurial injury by modulating levels of glutathione (GSH), metallothionein, hemoxygenase, and other stress proteins, neurons tend to be “markedly deficient in these responses” and thus are less able to remove Hg and more prone to Hg-induced injury (56). In the developing brain, mercury interferes with neuronal migration, depresses cell division, disrupts microtubule function, and reduces NCAMs (28, 57-59). While damage has been observed in a number of brain areas in autism, many nuclei and functions are spared (36). HgP’s damage is similarly selective (40). Numerous studies link autism with neuronal atypicalities within the amygdala, hippocampi, basal ganglia, the Purkinje and granule cells of the cerebellum, brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex (36,60-69). Each of these areas can be affected by HgP (10,34,40,70-73). Migration of Hg, including eHg, into the amygdala is particularly noteworthy, because in primates this brain region has neurons specific for eye contact (74) and it is implicated in autism and in social behaviors (65,66,75). Autistic brains show neurotransmitter irregularities which are virtually identical to those arising from Hg exposure: both high or low serotonin and dopamine, depending on the subjects studied; elevated epinephrine and norepinephrine in plasma and brain; elevated glutamate; and acetylcholine deficiency in hippocampus (2,21,76-83). Gillberg and Coleman (2) estimate that 35-45% of autistics eventually develop epilepsy. A recent MEG study reported epileptiform activity in 82% of 50 regressive autistic children; in another study, half the autistic children expressed abnormal EEG activity during sleep (84). Autistic EEG abnormalities tend to be non-specific and have a variety of patterns (85). Unusual epileptiform activity has been found in a number of mercury poisoning cases (18,27,34,86-88). Early mHg exposure enhances tendencies toward epileptiform activity with a reduced level of seizure-discharge amplitude (89), a finding consistent with the subtlety of seizures in many autism spectrum children (84,85). The fact that Hg increases extracellular glutamate would also contribute to epileptiform activity (90). Some autistic children show a low capacity to oxidize sulfur compounds and low levels of sulfate (91,92). These findings may be linked with HgP because (a) Hg preferentially binds to sulfhydryl molecules (-SH) such as cysteine and GSH, thereby impairing various cellular functions (40), and (b) mercury can irreversibly block the sulfate transporter NaSi cotransporter NaSi-1, present in kidneys and intestines, thus reducing sulfate absorption (93). Besides low sulfate, many autistics have low GSH levels, abnormal GSH-peroxidase activity within erythrocytes, and decreased hepatic ability to detoxify xenobiotics (91,94,95). GSH participates in cellular detoxification of heavy metals (96); hepatic GSH is a primary substrate for organic-Hg clearance from the human (40); and intraneuronal GSH participates in various protective responses against Hg in the CNS (56). By preferentially binding with GSH, preventing absorption of sulfate, or inhibiting the enzymes of glutathione metabolism (97), Hg might diminish GSH bioavailability. Low GSH can also derive from chronic infection (98,99), which would be more likely in the presence of immune impairments arising from mercury (100). Furthermore, mercury disrupts purine and pyrimidine metabolism (97,10). Altered purine or pyrimidine metabolism can induce autistic features and classical autism (2,101,102), suggesting another mechanism by which Hg can contribute to autistic traits. Autistics are more likely to have allergies, asthma, selective IgA deficiency (sIgAd), enhanced expression of HLA-DR antigen, and an absence of interleukin-2 receptors, as well as familial autoimmunity and a variety of autoimmune phenomena. These include elevated serum IgG and ANA titers, IgM and IgG brain antibodies, and myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies (103-110). Similarly, atypical responses to Hg have been ascribed to allergic or autoimmune reactions (8), and genetic predisposition to such reactions may explain why Hg sensitivity varies so widely by individual (88,111). Children who developed acrodynia were more likely to have asthma and other allergies (11); IgG brain autoantibodies, MBP, and ANA have been found in HgP subjects (18,111,112); and mice genetically prone to develop autoimmune diseases “are highly susceptible to mercury-induced immunopathological alterations” even at the lowest doses (113). Additionally, many autistics have reduced natural killer cell (NK) function, as well as immune-cell subsets shifted in a Th2 direction and increased urine neopterin levels, indicating immune system activation (103,114-116). Depending upon genetic predisposition, Hg can induce immune activation, an expansion of Th2 subsets, and decreased NK activity (117-120). POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS In most affected children, autistic symptoms emerge gradually, although there are cases of sudden onset (3). The earliest abnormalities have been detected in 4 month olds and consist of subtle movement disturbances; subtle motor-sensory disturbances have been observed in 9 month olds (49). More overt speech and hearing difficulties become noticeable to parents and pediatricians between 12 and 18 months (2). TMS vaccines have been given in repeated intervals starting from infancy and continuing until 12 to 18 months. While HgP symptoms, may arise suddenly in especially sensitive individuals (11), usually there is a preclinical “silent stage” in which subtle neurological changes are occurring (121) and then a gradual emergence of symptoms. The first symptoms are typically sensory- and motor-related, which are followed by speech and hearing deficits, and finally the full array of HgP characteristics (40). Thus, both the timing and nature of symptom emergence in ASD are fully consistent with a vaccine Hg etiology. This parallel is reinforced by parental reports of excessive amounts of mercury in urine or hair from younger autistic children, as well as some improvement in symptoms with standard chelation therapy (122). The discovery and rise in prevalence of ASD mirrors the introduction and spread of TMS in vaccines. Autism was first described in 1943 among children born in the 1930s (123). Thimerosal was first introduced into vaccines in the 1930s (7). In studies conducted prior to 1970, autism prevalence was estimated, at 1 in 2000; in studies from 1970 to 1990 it averaged 1 in 1000 (124). This was a period of increased vaccination rates of the TMS-containing DPT vaccines among children in the developed world. In the early 1990s, the prevalence of autism was found to be 1 in 500 (125), and in 2000 the CDC found 1 in 150 children affected in one community, which was consistent with reports from other areas in the country (126). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, two new TMS vaccines, the HIB and Hepatitis B, were added to the recommended schedule (7). Nearly all US children are immunized, yet only a small proportion develop autism. A pertinent characteristic of mercury is the great variability in its effects by individual, so that at the same exposure level, some will be affected severely while others will be asymptomatic (9,11,28). An example is acrodynia, which arose in the early 20th Century from mercury in teething powders and afflicted only 1 in 500-1000 children given the same low dose (28). Studies in mice as well as humans indicate that susceptibility to Hg effects arises from genetic status, in some cases including a propensity to autoimmune disorders (113,34,40). ASD exhibits a strong genetic component, with high concordance in monozygotic twins and a higher than expected incidence among siblings (4); autism is also more prevalent in families with autoimmune disorders (106). Additionally, autism is more prevalent among boys than girls, with the ratio estimated at 4:1 (2). Mercury studies in mice and humans consistently report greater effects on males than females, except for kidney damage (57). At high doses, both sexes are affected equally; at low doses only males are affected (38,40,127). DISCUSSION We have shown that every major characteristic of autism has been exhibited in at least several cases of documented mercury poisoning. Recently, the FDA and AAP have revealed that the amount of mercury given to infants from vaccinations has exceeded safety levels. The timing of mercury administration via vaccines coincides with the onset of autistic symptoms. Parental reports of autistic children with measurable mercury levels in hair and urine indicate a history of mercury exposure. Thus the standard primary criteria for a diagnosis of mercury poisoning – observable symptoms, known exposure at the time of symptom onset, and detectable levels in biologic samples (11,31) – have been met in autism. As such, mercury toxicity may be a significant etiological factor in at least some cases of regressive autism. Further, each known form of HgP in the past has resulted in a unique variation of mercurialism – e.g., Minamata disease, acrodynia, Mad Hatter’s disease – none of which has been autism, suggesting that the Hg source which may be involved in ASD has not yet been characterized; given that most infants receive eHg via vaccines, and given that the effect on infants of eHg in vaccines has never been studied (129), vaccinal Thimerosal should be considered a probable source. It is also possible that vaccinal eHg may be additive to a prenatal mercury load derived from maternal amalgams, immune globulin injections, or fish consumption, and environmental sources. CONCLUSION The history of acrodynia illustrates that a severe disorder, afflicting a small but significant percentage of children, can arise from a seemingly benign application of low doses of mercury. This review establishes the likelihood that Hg may likewise be etiologically significant in ASD, with the Hg derived from Thimerosal in vaccines rather than teething powders. Due to the extensive parallels between autism and HgP, the likelihood of a causal relationship is great. Given this possibility, TMS should be removed from all childhood vaccines, and the mechanisms of Hg toxicity in autism should be thoroughly investigated. With perhaps 1 in 150 children now diagnosed with ASD, development of HgP-related treatments, such as chelation, would prove beneficial for this large and seemingly growing population. Table I: Summary Comparison of Traits of Autism & Mercury Poisoning
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| Psychiatric Disturbances |
| Social deficits, shyness, social withdrawal (1,2,130,131; 21,31,45,53,132 |
| Repetitive, preservative, stereotypic behaviors; obsessive-compulsive tendencies (1,2,43,48,133;20,33-35,132) |
| Depression/depressive traits, mood swings, flat affect; impaired face recognition (14,15,17,103, 134,135; 19,21,24,26,31) |
| Anxiety; schizoid tendencies; irrational fears (2,15,16; 21,27,29,31) |
| Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums (12,13,43; 18,21,22,25) |
| Lacks eye contact; impaired visual fixation (HgP)/ problems in joint attention (ASD) (3,36,136,137; 18,19,34) |
| Speech and Language Deficits |
| Loss of speech, delayed language, failure to develop speech (1-3,138,139; 11,23,24,27,30,37) |
| Dysarthria; articulation problems (3; 21,25,27,39) |
| Speech comprehension deficits (3,4,140; 9,25,34,38) |
| Verbalizing and word retrieval problems (HgP); echolalia, word use and pragmatic errors (ASD) (1,3,36; 21,27,70) |
| Sensory Abnormalities |
| Abnormal sensation in mouth and extremities (2,49; 25,28,34,39) |
| Sound sensitivity; mild to profound hearing loss (2,47,48; 19,23-25,39,40) |
| Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion (2,49; 23,24,45,53) |
| Over-sensitivity to light; blurred vision (2,50,51; 18,23,31,34,45) |
| Motor Disorders |
| Flapping, myoclonal jerks, choreiform movements, circling, rocking, toe walking, unusual postures (2,3,43,44; 11,19,27,30,31,34,39) |
| Deficits in eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; intention tremors (HgP)/problems with intentional movement or imitation (ASD) (2,3,36,181; 25,29,32,38,70,87) |
| Abnormal gait and posture, clumsiness and incoordination; difficulties sitting, lying, crawling, and walking; problem on one side of body (4,41,42,123; 18,25,31,34,39,45) |
| Cognitive Impairments |
| Borderline intelligence, mental retardation – some cases reversible (2,3,151,152; 19,25,31,39,70) |
| Poor concentration, attention, response inhibition (HgP)/shifting attention (ASD) (4,36,153;21,25,31,38,141) |
| Uneven performance on IQ subtests; verbal IQ higher than performance IQ (3,4,36; 31,38) |
| Poor short term, verbal, and auditory memory (36,140; 21,29,31,35,38,87,141) |
| Poor visual and perceptual motor skills; impairment in simple reaction time (HgP)/ lower performance on timed tests (ASD) (4,140,181; 21,29,142) |
| Deficits in understanding abstract ideas & symbolism; degeneration of higher mental powers (HgP)/sequencing, planning & organizing (ASD); difficulty carrying out complex commands (3,4,36,153; 9,18,37,57,142) |
| Unusual Behaviors |
| Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging (3,154; 11,18,53) |
| ADHD traits (2,36,155; 35,70) |
| Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells 3,154; 11,23,37,88) |
| Sleep difficulties (2,156,157; 11,22,31) |
| Physical Disturbances |
| Hyper- or hypotonia; abnormal reflexes; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing, swallowing (3,42,145,181; 19,27,31,32,39) |
| Rashes, dermatitis, eczema, itching (107,146; 22,26,143) |
| Diarrhea; abdominal pain/discomfort, constipation, “colitis” (107,147-149; 18,23,26,27,31,32) |
| Anorexia; nausea (HgP)/vomiting (ASD); poor appetite (HgP)/restricted diet (ASD) (2,123; 18,22) |
| Lesions of ileum and colon; increased gut permeability (147,150; 57,144) |
Table II: Summary Comparison of Biological Abnormalities in Autism & Mercury Exposure |
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Owner’s Guide to Silver/Mercury Fillings
Mercury is a poisonous heavy metal, proven to be more toxic than Lead or Arsenic.
If silver fillings are in your mouth, Mercury is in your body. Some bodies can cope with the extra stress and naturally detoxify the Mercury constantly wearing off from the fillings. Other bodies can become overwhelmed, and eventually suffer disorders and the break-down of various body systems.
The Controversy
There has always been controversy surrounding dental amalgam, or “silver” fillings. Amalgam is a dental filling mixture of metals with more than 50% mercury. This filling material is used by many dentists today to heal cavities caused by tooth decay.
Silver mercury fillings have been used in dentistry for nearly 160 years, with very little change in composition. By 1991 the theory supported by the American Dental Association (ADA) has been that mercury is stable or “bound-up” with the other metals and will not “leak” into the body. Interestingly, the ADA Council on Dental Materials recommends that dentists store scrap mercury in an airtight container under glycerin or x-ray fixer and dispose of it as a toxic waste.
The ADA has also declared amalgam safe by virtue of what they term as “historically safe” usage since the 1830’s. The official policy since 1985 has stated, “It is important to note that mercury forms a biologically inactive substance when it combines with the other materials used to produce amalgam.” In 1991, the Council agreed that mercury release from fillings does occur, but it also claimed, “there is no scientific evidence that this miniscule amount of mercury has any adverse health effects.” The FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) completely supports this position and has allowed the safety of this material to go unchallenged. However there are documented studies in the toxicology, physiology and medical literature that show this statement is untrue. Mercury amalgam in fillings is continually released into the body in the form of mercury vapor and corroded particles. This mercury is poison.
How Mercury is Released into the Body
Mercury is very unstable. Vapors are released when the compound is disturbed, compressed, exposed to an acidic environment or increased temperatures. The mouth is a perfect place to create these vapors, with the chewing of foods, grinding of teeth and the introduction of acidic or hot food and beverages. In fact, mercury release increases approximately 15 times when you chew, brush, or consume hot or acidic foods or beverages.
Mercury is also released in the continuous corrosion caused by saliva. Saliva is the electrolytic (it conducts charged particles) and when it comes in contact with dissimilar metals in the amalgam, it corrodes. Mercury is then released into the body, by either inhaled vapor or swallowed particles. As vapor, it may pass into the bloodstream for quick absorption and distribution to body tissues or travel to the brain and central nervous system. When mercury particles are swallowed, mercury chloride can be formed in the stomach; many of the bacteria there can transform it into methyl mercury, an even more poisonous form of mercury.
The Health Effects of Mercury Poisoning
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the daily intake of mercury from amalgam fillings is higher than the bodies intake of mercury from air, water and food combined. Published research states that mercury is a powerful poison and toxicologists agree that no amount (even tiny amounts) of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered totally harmless. Scientific research has demonstrated that mercury in small amounts can damage the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, blood cells, hormones and destroys the body’s immune system. Studies also show that mercury passes through the placental membrane in pregnant women and into the brain of the developing child. Human and animal studies have found a direct relationship between the level of mercury in the brain and the number of fillings in the mouth.
A History of Mercury Amalgam Development and Use
In 1819 an English chemist named Bell combined silver coin shavings and enough mercury to form a sloppy paste. Always looking for filling alternatives, dentists who discovered the new amalgam began using it for filling teeth. This was a big turn of events since patients with cavities before were given two choices: an expensive gold filling or the cheaper option of extracting the tooth. Now with mercury fillings, anyone could cheaply save their teeth. This pushed dentistry from a service for the wealthy to a large industry capable of treating millions worldwide. Amalgam’s ease of placement and long life span created a filling loved by dentists and their patients.
This discovery was seized by a pair of unscrupulous brothers named Crawcour. In 1832, they arrived in America from France with dreams of riches. These men were known for filling teeth with their mercury based paste, leaving decay in teeth and moving swiftly from town to town. The word quack originated from the actions of people like the Crawcours, who used mercury in the human body. In Europe, mercury is known as quacksilber (quicksilver). Any dentist who would place mercury fillings would be called a quacksilber or quack for short.
Six years after the introduction of amalgam the first organized U.S. dental group, the American Association of Dental Surgeons (AADS), showed a lot of concern about the health of dental patients with the amalgam fillings. In 1843, the AADS decided the use of amalgam fillings to be malpractice. The topic became so strongly debated, that members were thrown out of the group for using mercury fillings in their dental practices. Several New York dentists even lost their licenses for violating the ban.
Medical Dentists vs. Craftsman (Mechanical) Dentists
In the early 1800’s there were two types of dentists, medical dentists and craftsman dentists. The AADS was made up of medical dentists, who held a degree in medicine and were concerned with the overall health of their patients. Another group, the craftsman dentists, had no medical training but were mechanically gifted people capable of removing and filling teeth. These craftsman dentists used amalgam as their filling of choice because it was easy to use. But they ignored the obvious dangers of mercury. The medical dentists felt that mercury of any kind should not be used in the human body and thus the first “amalgam war” began.
In 1850 the AADS removed the ban on Amalgam to attract new members, but membership greatly dropped and the organization collapsed. In 1859 the craftsmen dentists founded a new organization which still stands behind its original members’ devotion to amalgam. That group is the American Dental Association (ADA).
Since that time, over 134 years ago, many changes have taken place in the environment we live in. Hazardous materials and toxic wastes are an unfortunate and all too common by-product of our way of life. We are surrounded by over 70,000 foreign chemicals and materials daily challenging our bodies’ ability to cope. In this uncertain environment, we still put approximately 50 tons of mercury in our teeth each year.
Studies on Mercury Poisoning
We now know a lot about the effects of mercury poisoning. Studies have been performed on people who have taken in a significant mercury through industrial and ecological exposures. Evidence is being collected that long term exposure to smaller levels of mercury poisoning (such as the exposure from mercury amalgam fillings) can result in the same symptoms, diseases and disorders.
The most common symptoms of mercury poisoning are in the oral cavity: bleeding gums, burning mouth, white patches, metallic taste, ulcers, gum disease (periodontal disease) and black or purple discolorations on the gums. Mercury also affects the brain, causing depression, anxiety, hallucinations and even manic depression. In the digestive system, constipation, colitis, diarrhea and cramps can develop. The immune, endocrine and cardiovascular systems have also been shown to be hurt, leaving the immune system weakened and open to secondary diseases and infections. Changes are also seen in the central nervous system such as chronic migraine type headaches, convulsions, dizziness, epilepsy, loss of fine motor coordination (especially in the hands), muscle paralysis or twitching, arm and leg numbness, tremors and tingling in the hands, feet and lips, and multiple sclerosis (MS). There are obviously many possible reasons for any of these problems, but the mercury in fillings should be included as a possible contributing factor.
Detoxification and Removal of Mercury
The very first and more important thing that needs to be communicated is that the process of detoxifying the body and removing amalgam fillings can be dangerous if not medically supervised by a medical/dental team very skilled in heavy metal detoxification.
Mercury is stored long term in nearly every cell in the body. The mercury can do harm from there, but it is much less dangerous than mercury that is released from this “deep pool” too rapidly.
A good steady detoxification process removes the particles slowly. These particles are then “harvested” and discharged through the urine and feces. A detoxification program performed too quickly or unsteadily loosens up more mercury than the body’s excretion system can safely handle at one time. This can cause serious damage, especially to the kidneys.
The removal of fillings also needs to be undertaken with great care. In fact, even though strict protocol is followed to protect the patient during mercury filling removal, some mercury is unfortunately absorbed by the body during the process. Because of this, anyone undergoing amalgam filling removal must always go through a careful body detoxification afterwards. This sequence, practiced with great care, is the only means through which you can protect yourself from suffering more harm than good.
A body detoxification process can take up to one year, depending upon the level of toxicity and health of the patient. The process needs to be medically supervised and the patient may experience some symptoms similar to their original problem.
The process of this detoxification is known as chelation therapy, literally meaning the removal of something from your body. The choice of what chelating chemicals to use depends upon many factors, including the amount and variety of toxins currently in the body. Urine analysis is a common way to judge when the detox is complete.
Once mercury urine levels are established, the fillings are removed. Filling removal must absolutely be performed in a controlled, well ventilated area which prevents any mercury from being inhaled or swallowed by either the patient or the dentist. A fairly accepted process involves the use of a special suction tip which pulls mercury particles and vapor out of the mouth.
The filling is removed in as close to one unbroken piece as possible. Cool water is constantly sprayed to reduce mercury dust levels. The doctor and assistant wear mercury screening masks which were developed for industrial use and the patient is given their own pure oxygen supply to breathe so that they don’t inhale vapors or dust. After removal, the patient needs to undergo body detoxification to release both old mercury buildup and any mercury absorbed during the removal process.
This protocol is pretty intense, but when the process is carefully and knowledgeably done it can help bring a sick person back to health.
What Filling Material Are Used to Replace Mercury Amalgam Now?
At the Institute for Biological Dentistry, the use of plastics, composite resins and ceramics have replaced the use of mercury dental fillings for over ten years. As part of our commitment to total health a comprehensive protocol that is safe, effective and comfortable addresses the management of mercury removal from the mouth. Please contact us or speak to a member of our staff if you would like more information on this subject.
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Nov 5th, 2010
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The Mercury Amalgam Controversy |
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