No
metabolic functions are known for which mercury is required. At high
concentrations, mercury causes liver and kidney damage and neurological
symptoms. Interest has grown in the possible ill health effects of
mercury liberated from dental amalgam fillings as well as the increased
consumption of fish contaminated with mercury. Hair is used as an index
of internal accumulation of mercury provided it was not externally
contaminated by exposure to mercury vapor. There is intriguing research
correlating increased hair mercury levels with certain disease
conditions. For instance, chronic mercury ingestion may be related to
cardiovascular disease. Recent data suggests that a high intake of
mercury from non-fatty freshwater fish and the consequent accumulation
of mercury in the body is associated with an increased incidence of
acute myocardial infarction, aswell as death
from cardiovascular disease in general. This correlation has been
proposed to be due to the promotion of lipid peroxidation by mercury.
Collaborative
evidence for this finding comes from a Finnish case-controlled study in
which higher numbers of dental fillings in individuals was associated
with increased occurrence of acute myocardial infarction.
There is additional support
that mercury from dental fillings results in increased body burden:
scalp hair of British dentists and dental hygienists were 2-3 times
higher in mercury than those of the support staff. A study of dentists,
dental nurses, and assistants showed the average elevation of
urine mercury levels were
significantly related to the number of amalgam fillings the subjects
had.
Both hair and urinary mercury
have been associated significantly with elevated titers of immune
complexes containing oxidized LDL. Other evidence indicates that mercury
can induce autoimmune disease both in humans and experimental animals.
Mercury from dental fillings may also be a factor in multiple sclerosis,
since hair mercury was found to be significantly higher in MS subjects
compared to the non-MS controls. These studies also support the utility
of hair and urine mercury measurement in situations of dietary, dental,
or environmental exposure.
Click Here For Mercury levels in Fish
| Adhesives Air conditioner filters Body powders Broken thermometer Cosmetics Dental fillings Diuretics Eye contact solution Fabric softeners Felt Floor waxes-polishes Fungicides |
Industrial
wastes Laxatives Mercurochrome Paints Photoengraving Psoriatic ointments Sea foods Sewage disposal Skin lightening cream Tanning leather Tattooing Wood preservatives |
| Psychiatric Disturbances Aggressive behaviors Anorexia ADD ADHD Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Delirium Depression Flat affect Hallucinations Impaired facial recognition Impaired visual fixation Irritability Lacks eye contact Loss of appetite/weight Malaise Mood swings OCD-typical behaviors Perseverative Repetitive Schizoid tendencies Sleep difficulties/disturbances Social Deficits Social withdrawal Stereotyped behaviors Suicidal Behaviors Symptoms reflecting eating disorders Temper tantrums Weakness
Speech and Language Deficits: |
Peripheral Nervous System: Peripheral neuropathy Loss of felling/ numbness in the extremities; paresthesia Gastrointestinal Tract: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of appetite abdominal pain Stomach cramps Burning of the throat of the mouth Esophagitis Gastroenteritis colitis Renal and Hepatic Impairment: Kidney disease; kidney failure Respiratory System: Pneumonia Laryngitis pharyngitis Bronchitis Reproductive System: Disturbances in menstrual cycle menstrual pains Birth defects premature births Spontaneous abortion Other Physical Disturbances: Hypotonia or hypertonia Rashes contact dermatitis eczema itchy/irritating skin |
Cognitive Impairments: Mental retardation Borderline intelligence Sensory Abnormalities: Hearing loss Difficulty hearing Abnormal touch sensations Diminished touch sensations, aversion to touch Blurred vision; sensitivity to light Motor Disorders: Choreiform movements myoclonal jerks Unusual postures Difficulty walking Swallowing Talking Flapping Circling Rocking Toe walking Problems with intentional movements or imitation Abnormal, gait/posture incoordination Loss of balance; problems sitting lying Crawling and walking Convulsion; seizure Physiological Impairment, Brain and Central Nervous System: Accumulates in CNS structures Autonomic disturbances Cerebrovascular disease |
Reference: Published in the August issue of Alternative &Complimentary Therapies (magazine for doctors) and Published in Townsend Letter for Doctor's and Patients
