I was presenting at the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology a few weeks ago in Austin, TX. At a breakout session, I was asked by a person in the audience why I did not speak out enough against mercury poisoning.
I was shocked at this question. I thought my views on mercury were clear.
So, let me reiterate my views on mercury. Mercury is a poison with no known therapeutic value to the human body. In fact, it is one of the most poisonous metals to the human body. Mercury is known to destroy the functioning of hundreds of enzymes in the body. It is a neurotoxin that has been associated with a host of neurological and immune system disorders such as depression, anxiety, seizures, autism, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We should all try to limit our exposure to mercury.
For over 20 years, my partners and I have been testing nearly all of our patients for heavy metal levels. Our testing has shown that mercury toxicity is alive and well in the 21st Century. Over 80% of our patients have tested positive for having elevated levels of mercury via hair, serum, and/or urine testing.
Where are we being exposed to mercury? The two most common sources are from dental amalgam fillings and seafood. Mercury amalgam fillings contain 50% mercury by weight. American dentists are the second largest users of mercury in the U.S. In fact, and still place over 30 million toxic mercury fillings every year. Dental mercury in the U.S. contributes about 28.5 tons of mercury into the environment. The American Dental Association, who still defends the use of mercury fillings, should be ashamed and held liable for this disaster.
There is simply no justification for a dentist to place a toxic metal—mercury–in any living being’s mouth. Any dentist who still uses mercury amalgam fillings should have his/her license revoked. Sadly, most conventional dentists not only still use mercury, they defend the use of mercury amalgam fillings.
The dentist may claim that the mercury filling is inert—that no mercury will be released from an amalgam filling. That idea has been disproven in many studies. Every time you chew or expose the filling to hot food or drink mercury is released as a vapor which is quickly taken up by the body. Studies have clearly shown a direct correlation with the amount of mercury in the body and the number of mercury amalgam fillings.
Seafood is another source of mercury. All fish are contaminated with mercury. High mercury-containing fish include tuna and swordfish.
Because mercury toxicity is so common, I suggest that everyone should be screened for mercury toxicity—especially those suffering with any neurological disorder. Detoxifying from mercury can help overcome many illnesses. I have found the use of sulphur-containing nutrients such as MSM and alpha lipoic acid along with chelating substances like EDTA, DMPS, and DMSA invaluable in helping someone overcome mercury toxicity.
What can you do? Number one, do not let any dentist put a toxic metal in your mouth. Any dentist who defends the use of mercury does not deserve your business. In fact, it should be a crime for a dentist to place a mercury filling in any person’s mouth. If you already have mercury fillings in your mouth, see a biological dentist who is properly trained on the correct methods to remove the amalgam fillings. You can find a dentist at: www.iaomt.org.
One final note. Dentists are not the only doctors at fault here. Any physician or health care professional that recommends a mercury-containing flu shot (or any other mercury-containing substance) similarly does not deserve your business. Keep in mind that mercury is one of the most poisonous substances known to mankind. You only have one body and one brain—it is important to make the right health care decisions. Do not knowingly allow mercury to be placed in your body. Finally, work with a holistic health care provider who knows how to test for and treat elevated mercury levels. You can find a practitioner here: https://icimed.com/.
Dr.Brownstein,
Does iodine mobilize mercury and other heavy metals? Is it painful to detox them?
Thanks,
Ana
Ana,
Iodine can help detox heavy metals. If done correctly, heavy metal detoxification should not cause major problems.
DrB
Dr. B:
Since you have treated me for Mercury 10 years ago I have not had further remediation. I was tested before my 2 pregnancies and it was apparent that I was once again accumulating the metal in my body over time. I do not eat fish very often but when I do it is mostly Tilapia or Salmon (usually farm raised). Are these fish not advised for someone who binds to these toxins? Should consumption be limited or completely discontinued? Also, can you recommend a physician who practices Mercury detoxification in Phoenix Arizona?
Thanks,
Danielle Evans
“Might concomitant dosing with ALA or MSM or ??? be helpful?”
I would think Selenium supplements would be even more helpful. Selenium binds to mercury and chelates it much more strongly than sulfur, and it is believed that one of, if not the major, pathological modalities of mercury toxicity is the leaching of selenium from the various selenoproteins in the body and denaturing them.
I have had all my amalgams replaced by a biologic dentist. I have been on an active health journey for 15 years and am still not well. I have studied a lot in this process, including the work of Dietrich Klinghardt. Detox is very difficult for me. I am currently working with an integrative doctor on anxiety, depression, ADHD, memory problems, etc. His belief is that mercury is inert in the body, and that unless it is stirred up (removal of amalgams), it does not effect the body. That is contrary to what I have read. I had a Melissa test years ago that showed I am allergic to mercury and lead, so even the smallest amount effects me. This doctor is testing me for methylation issues (I know I have MTHFR) and possibly pyrolle disorder. What do you think of his mercury theory?
I feel desperate.
Thank you very much.
What about Chlorella? I have heard it’s good for chelating heavy metals (mercury) out of the body.
Colette,
Chlorella can be helpful, but, unfortunately, many chlorella supplements are contaminated with metals.
DrB
Hi Dr.Brownstein.I live in Australia.As a young girl I had mercury dental fillings until the age of 22.Which another dentist removed them.I no longer have them.What products wold you recommend me.Can I buy TLC and those other products here in Australia and where.Thanks in advance.Keep up the great work.You are amazing.
I am about to have the amalgam fillings removed from my mouth by a biological dentist. Do you have any suggestions or special recommendations on how to detoxify once they are removed?
Cindy,
I would suggest working with a holistic health care practitioner who can assist you. And, make sure your dentist is properly trained to remove them. Look at: http://www.iaomt.org to find a dentist.
DrB
Dr. Brownstein,
How do I get rid of mercury; what do I need to detox it.
Thank you!
Gail,
It is best to work with someone knowledgeable in this. Mercury detox can be complex. I suggest finding a knowledgeable dentist and health care provider to help you,
DrB
I understand the concept of avoiding mercury. But it is sometimes difficult or impossible, Can you say a few words about minimizing the damage when exposure is unavoidable. Might concomitant dosing with ALA or MSM or ??? be helpful.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Bruce,
You are right. Sort of. You can avoid mercury amalgam fillings and avoid eating all lake fish as well as high mercury containing ocean fish such as tuna and swordfish.
But this is where you are 100% correct: Mercury (as well as lead) is all over the environment. The highest level of mercury that I have observed was in a young college student who did not eat fish or have a mercury amalgam in her mouth.
300mg twice per day of alpha lipoic acid and 2-4,000mg/day of MSM can help supply enough sulfur to aid the detox pathways. Furthermore, aiding the detoxification pathways so that they can help the body rid itself of heavy metals and other toxins can help. I (along with my partners) have developed a detoxification product called Total Liver Care or TLC. One scoop of TLC once or twice per day can also help. TLC can be purchased from my office: http://www.centerforholisticmedicine.com.
DrB
When my daughter was younger, she had Med-ical. So her dentist options were greatly limited. Actually her only choice was Western Dental here in CA.
I told them DO NOT PUT MERCURY FILLING in my daughters mouth. I went in the room with her everytime, she had multiple cavities. The first time I was unable to go in the room, they used mercury filling. I was so upset. How could they do this?
They could care less.
Becky,
My advice: Don’t go back there. Find a new dentist, preferably one who understands the dangers of mercury.
DrB