by: September 2, 2024
(NaturalHealth365) Many holistic healthcare providers describe chronic exposure to mercury as a “biochemical train wreck” and an “underreported epidemic.” Many of us need to look no further than our dental work to find the primary source of low-level mercury poisoning.
“Silver” dental fillings, used on almost half of all dental restorations in the United States, contain 45 to 55 percent mercury – and the simple acts of chewing and drinking hot liquids can cause the release of harmful mercury vapors.
Accumulating in the brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract, mercury jeopardizes human health in literally dozens of ways. The symptoms of mercury poisoning listed below range in severity from merely annoying to potentially life-threatening. But be advised: as shocking as it seems, this overwhelming litany of harm is just a partial list.
Frightening fact about mercury poisoning: There is no ‘safe level’ of exposure
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mercury may have no threshold below which some adverse effects do not appear. (In other words, no level of mercury exposure is safe!)
Then, why doesn’t everyone suffer from symptoms of mercury exposure?
According to biological dentist Tom McGuire, DDS – an authority on mercury exposure and detoxification – the number and severity of symptoms are influenced by a variety of factors, including your general state of immune health, the number of mercury dental amalgams fillings you have, and your amount of mercury exposure over time. Genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environment all play a role.
According to The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), chronic mercury exposure causes severe oxidative stress and impairs the function of the mitochondria – the powerhouses of the cells. It also interferes with detoxification by depleting glutathione levels, the body’s master antioxidant.
The toll from chronic exposure can express itself in a variety of ways. Let’s take a closer look.
Emotional and psychological symptoms
According to the IAOMT, mercury exposure can cause a “baker’s dozen” (more or less) of truly disturbing psychological symptoms – including aggression, suicidal ideation, fits of rage, mood swings, and manic depression. More low-level but still troubling are symptoms of free-floating anxiety, confusion, fatigue, lethargy, depression, insomnia, shyness, and agitation.
Of course, mercury – a known neurotoxin – is also linked to cognitive problems such as learning disorders, short-term memory loss, and attention deficit disorder. It is also associated with autism spectrum disorder – rates of which have skyrocketed in recent years.
Gastrointestinal problems
Mercury disrupts the intestinal flora of the gut microbiome, the community of beneficial bacteria that helps to regulate health. This can result in digestive complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Other GI symptoms from low-level mercury poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and heartburn.
Respiratory difficulties
Exposure to mercury through dental amalgam fillings can also impair our precious ability to breathe freely – and cause asthma, allergies, bronchitis, emphysema, chest congestion, shortness of breath, and shallow respiration.
Muscle and joint pain
Increased inflammation due to mercury exposure can cause muscle cramps, aching in joints, muscle weakness, and muscle stiffness.
Reproductive issues
Reproductive problems linked to mercury include infertility, lowered sperm count, premenstrual syndrome, genital discharge, and spontaneous abortions.
Neurological disorders
Tremors, paralysis, neuropathy, epilepsy, headaches, dizziness, and vertigo have been reported with mercury poisoning.
Sensory impairment
Mercury can cause hearing problems such as hearing loss or tinnitus. Visual disturbances – including tunnel vision, myopia, and macular degeneration – can occur, as can loss of the sense of smell and reduced ability to taste.
Mouth and throat problems
These can include bone loss in the jaw, a burning sensation in the throat, gingivitis (gum disease), leukoplakia (white patches on the throat or tongue), metallic taste in the mouth, sore throat, bad breath, oral lichen planus, and canker sores.
And the adverse effects of mercury aren’t limited to the mouth and throat. Nasal inflammation, sinusitis, excessive mucous, and nasal congestion can also occur.
Cardiovascular stress
Mercury exposure can also affect the heart, causing angina, rapid or irregular heartbeat, atherosclerosis, and edema (swelling).
Impaired immune system
According to Dr. McGuire, mercury poisoning can significantly impair the immune system, raising susceptibility to disease and causing autoimmune disorders.
Dr. McGuire reports that mercury is associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia – along with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, and arthritis. Mercury can also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes – along with kidney and liver disease.
The list continues with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Candida overgrowth, and digestive diseases such as IBD, “leaky gut” diverticulosis, and Crohn’s disease.
Unsurprisingly, mercury exposure may be the culprit in hormonal dysfunction and thyroid disease cases. Exposure is also linked to an increased risk of breast and lung cancer.
Skin problems – such as eczema and psoriasis – have also been reported, along with hair loss, excessive blushing, and excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis).
Finally, the IAOMT notes that chronic mercury exposure can cause antibiotic resistance – currently described by the WHO as a global public health crisis.
Safe and effective detoxification is a “must”
Dr. McGuire warns that if you had – or have – mercury amalgam fillings, you are likely to be mercury-toxic to some degree. It is important, says Dr. McGuire, to undergo a safe and effective mercury detoxification program under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Please note: Holistic healthcare providers will tell you that the best time to detoxify the body of mercury is after you’ve safely removed unwanted mercury-based, silver fillings. Always consider removing the threat of toxicity before you begin any detoxification program.
Important: Many of the symptoms listed above can signal a life-threatening condition. Of course, if you have symptoms that might indicate a serious medical condition, get checked out immediately by your holistic healthcare provider.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to begin to minimize the harm of mercury exposure.
Adding probiotic foods to your diet can help restore the gut microbiome’s health. Go heavy on foods that promote the production of glutathione, which is depleted by mercury. Brussels sprouts, broccoli sprouts, and avocados can help fill the bill.
Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA can help protect against mercury damage, while R-alpha lipoic acid can reduce oxidative stress and preserve glutathione.
Finally, if you opt to have your mercury fillings removed, use the services of a trained biological dentist who will utilize the proper protocol for safely removing them.
Outrageously, the American Dental Association continues to insist that mercury fillings are safe. But extensive independent research – and the list of chronic diseases and dangerous symptoms associated with mercury exposure – indicates otherwise.
Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to remove mercury-based fillings and eliminate the threat of poor oral health, own the Holistic Oral Health Summit created by NaturalHealth365 Programs.
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