• How dangerous is mercury?
• How could I have become mercury poisoned?
• Dentists say that dental amalgam is perfectly safe.
• How can I find out if my child has mercury poisoning?
• What are chelating agents?
• Is there anything I can do right now?
• The natural  way is better.  Is this true?
• What needs to happen if there are  high levels of other metals besides mercury?
• Where can I find a mercury-free dentist?
• Further information
• Further reading

Mercury-Autism FAQ (originally from Autism-Mercury list dated August 2000)
 

Andy Cutler is a Ph.D. chemist who found himself sick with mercury poisoning and figured out how to get well. He wrote a  book called "Amalgam Illness, Diagnosis and Treatment :  What You Can Do to Get Better, How Your  Doctor Can Help You can order it directly from here Dr. Amy Holmes is an M.D. in Louisiana who is working with parents of many autistic children to help them chelate mercury and other toxic metals from their children.  Dr. Amy used to be an oncologist.  She retired to raise her infant son, only to find out that he has autism. Now she has gone back to work to help her son and others' children. Dr. Amy has a website: here for further more detailed reading describing  the mercury problem and her treatment protocol.

In their paper "Autism: A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning" Bernard et  al, here they have revealed a startling
 similarity in the symptoms of Autism and Mercury Poisoning.  While this may sound frightening, it actually shines a bright ray of hope into the lives of families living with an autistic child.  Why? Because mercury poisoning can be cured.

Q:  How dangerous is mercury?

Very.  Mercury is the second most toxic element on earth, second only to plutonium.  The amount of mercury found in one mercury thermometer is enough to pollute a small lake.  Mercury toxicity has been linked to a large number of diseases, including arthritis, altzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, learning disabilities and ADHD.

Q:  How could my child have become mercury poisoned?

 Many parents believe the major culprit to be thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines and other medications.  Thimerosal is 50% mercury by weight. In  October 1998, the FDA banned the use of thimerosal in over the counter medications, but it is still used in most vaccines.  Since multiple vaccines are often given on the same day,
the amount of mercury injected into a typical infant exceeds the EPA's "safe" limits.  Before the FDA ban, mercury had been added to eye  drops, contact lens preparations, nasal sprays, contraceptive creams, hemmhoroid creams, lubricating gels, allergy injections, and antiseptics such as Mercurochrome® and merthiolate.

 There are many other common sources for mercury exposure.  Here's a short list:

•  Dental amalgams
•  Released into the air by coal burning plants
• Fish and shellfish, especially tuna, salmon and swordfish
• Some paints
• Thermometers and blood pressure gauges (especially if mercury from broken instruments was spilled on carpet)
•  Fluorescent light bulbs

Q:  But my dentist told me that dental amalgam is perfectly safe.

 The presence of mercury in dental amalgams is a very controversial subject.  Despite the fact that dental amaglam contains 50% mercury, the American Dental Association's official position is that dental amalgam is safe, and that mercury does not pose a health risk. However, numerous research studies show that dental amalgams are a  major source of mercury toxicity. Because of the ADA's position, your dentist risks losing his license if he tells you that mercury is  dangerous, no matter what he personally believes.

Q:  If mercury poisoning is caused by vaccines, they why don't aren't all kids mercury toxic?

Sensitivity to mercury varies widely from person to person, as does the body's natural ability to detoxify.  Some children can get rid ofthe mercury quickly, while in others, the toxin remains in the body longer, allowing it time to bind tightly in the brain and other organs.

Q:  How can I find out if my child has mercury poisoning?

 Dr. Amy Holmes lists a number of useful medical tests  here   A trace minerals  analysis, or hair test, is an inexpensive, non-invasive and  reasonably accurate test for determining the body's burden of mercury and other heavy metals.  Doctor's Data (708/231-3649) (uSA) is a great source for obtaining this test.  Keep in mind that mercury may be so tightly bound in the body's organs that it doesn't show up in large  amounts in the hair test.  Instead of looking at mercury by itself, it is necessary to look at all of the elements to determine if mercury is present.

Q:  OK, I'm convinced my child is mercury toxic.  What do I do now?

 If your child has dental amalgams, you will need to find a mercury- free dentist who can replace the silver amalgam fillings with some other material.  Next, you should try to find a doctor who can help with chelation.  Keep in mind that most regular allopathic doctors are not familiar with mercury toxicity.  You don't have to go to a regular MD.  "Alternative" doctors such as osteopaths, naturopaths, homeopaths and chiropractors may be able to help you obtain chelating agents and monitor your child's health during the process. You  don't have to have a doctor to chelate, but it is a very good idea.

Q:  What are chelating agents?

 Chelating agents are compounds with two or more binding groups for certain metals combined into one molecule. Chelating agents for
mercury are

•  DMPS(2,3 dimercaptopropanesulfonate sodium), DMSA(2,3 meso DiMercaptoSuccinic Acid. Generic name: Succimer. Trade name: Chemet) and LA (alpha-lipoic acid). DMPS has been approved for bulk distribution by compounding pharmacies and is excellent for removing mercury from the body (but not the brain) if it is used properly. Unfortunately many physiciansuse it and other chelating agents improperly, and like any drug these can be extremely dangerous when not used right.

•  DMSA is a prescription medication which has been approved by the FDA for lead-poisoning in children.  It also works well for mercury. DMSA removes mercury from everywhere in the body except the brain, because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
•  Alpha-lipoic acid(LA) is an over-the-counter supplement which has been found to effectively chelate mercury.  Unlike DMSA and DMPS, LA will cross the blood-brain barrier, and so it can move mercury out of or into the brain.  LA should not be used if there has been recent mercury exposure (within 3 months) or if your child has high copper levels, since LA reduces copper excretion.

 Yes-you can begin supplementation.  There are many dietarysupplements that can help your child to feel better now, and during the chelation process.  Here are some important ones:
Take these 4 times a day:

• Vitamin B complex,
• Vitamin C,
• and Milk Thistle extract

• Zinc,
• Magnesium,
• Vitamin E,
• mixed carotenes
• and lypocene,
• flax seed oil.

 Most MDs are more familiar with lead poisoning than mercury poisoning.  Blood and urine tests are the standard for measuring lead, but these tests are inadequate for mercury.  This is because once mercury enters the body, it very quickly leaves the bloodstream and accumulates in the internal organs.  Therefore, urine and blood tests will only show mercury if the person has been exposed to a large amount of mercury very recently. Chronic long-term exposure (amalgams) or old exposure (vaccines) will not show up with these tests. A better way to test for mercury is the above-mentioned hair elements test.

Q:  I've heard that glutathione, chlorella, cilantro, cysteine, MSM,NAC, garlic, and saunas will chelate naturally, and that the natural  way is better.  Is this true?

 Don't assume that because something is "natural," that it  is necessarily better.  As Andy says,"strychnine and
botulism are natural, and deadly.  That said, some natural remedies are excellent.

•  LA is a natural supplement available at health food stores, and it has been found to be a good chelator for mercury and arsenic.You have to read about and study each one so that you have some idea what youare giving your child.   You are encouraged to inform yourself and make up your own mind.

•  "Dr. Amy: "I think we are much better off leaving glutathione, MSM, cysteine, etc. supplements alone. They cause many more problems than they can fix in an untested person.
• MSM-Not a chelator.Andy: "The more I hear about MSM the more I suggest people avoid it. I keep getting random negative reports." And "It is an exceptionally bad idea to use MSM, cysteine, NAC or glutathione with LA since LA naturally increases your body's cysteine and glutathione levels.
• NAC-This is a supplement which will cause the body to producemore glutathione.  Andy:  "Neither NAC nor glutathione remove any mercury from the brain - but they do make whatever mercury is there a lot more toxic if administered in excessive amounts."
• Garlic-Not a chelator, but posters say it's great for pinworms.
• Saunas-Andy: "Sauna has been used to detox mercury miners since time immemorial - when they get too messed up, they go to the sauna during work hours instead of into the mineshaft." "Sweating does indeed increase mercury excretion. Probably an hour or two of sauna is the same as 50 mg of DMSA every 4 hours for a day." Note:  Posters urged caution with saunas because mercury toxic people are often heat sensitive.

Q:  I've gotten back the hair test results for my child, and it shows he has high levels of other metals besides mercury.  What should I do?

 Generally, you remove the other metals first.  High levels of lead, copper, arsenic, antimony or aluminum can cause symptoms similar to mercury poisoning.  If your child has high levels of several metals, he is likely very sick.  Test again in three months.
 

Q:  Has anyone actually "cured" their autistic child by chelating them?

 The book "Turning Lead Into Gold" (now out of print) describes several cases of children with "autistic tendencies" who improved dramatically after chelation for lead. As of this writing, no one on this list has completely cured their  child from mercury poisoning.  But it's early yet.  Dr. Amy is getting some wonderful results with the children in her practice, and numerous parents have reported improvements in their autistic children with each chelation cycle.

Q:  How long does it take to complete chelation?

 Six months to two years, depending on how toxic a person is and how quickly you chelate. Children younger than 8 seem to respond more quickly than older children.

 Q:  My child has only one amalgam filling, and I can't seem to find a dentist who will agree to replace it.  Can't I go ahead and chelate?

 Absolutely not.  You cannot start chelation if there are any silver amalgam fillings present.  The chelator will remove mercury from the filling and deposit it in your child's body, making him even more toxic.

Q:  How can I find a mercury-free dentist?

Try the following website here covering USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
Be very careful when selecting a dentist.  Composite fillings require more skill in placement than amalgam, and the risk for further  mercury exposure during amalgam replacement is great.  The dentist  should follow something similar to the IOAMT  protocol described  here for amalgam removal and replacement.
Further reading
 

Detoxification and Healing : The Key to Optimal Health The author backs up what he clearly states is his personal viewpoint with fascinating scientific information and clinical experience. The book gives understanding and guidance to people with often misunderstood chronic conditions. The author is a MD who has taught at Yale Medical School;  therefore it may be good book to give to skeptical clinicians Order here

The Road to Immunity : How to Survive and Thrive in a Toxic World This well written summary will benefit anyone. Whether you have a debilitating illness or are in seemingly good health, Road to Immunity will draw attention to the importance of a "whole body" approach to living. Chapter 3 titled "Immunology 101" is an excellent summary of the immune system written in layman's terms. This is an outstanding read and should be a part of any library Order here

Brain Allergies: The Psychonutrient and Magnetic ConnectionsThe book details not only the science and theory behind Dr. Philpott's approach, but  more importantly spends a lot of time discussing practical implementation. Conventional western  medicine still tends to ignore the dramatic impact our diets can have on the mental /emotional aspect of our lives; BRAIN ALLERGIES makes a very significant contribution to the growing  literature around the old and very true proverb: "we are what we eat." If you're dealing with a  child with emotional and/or cognitive difficulties, PLEASE read this book! order here

Further information

• Articles, slide shows, research and debate on Amalgam filings and Mercury here
• Back issue of ADHD ezine on heavy metal poisioning here
• Judy Tattersfield  who sent in this article has set up an organisation in New Zealand  to inform the public on mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings. You are able to contact her at tatts.g_j@xtra.co.nz