Heavy metal toxicity is, unfortunately, alive and well in our modern world. An article in the Tribune News Service (July 6, 2015) reported that any exposure to lead, even as a toddler or in the womb, could lead to a host of permanent neurological problems. These problems include headaches, a lowered IQ and a propensity for violence. The article detailed how ubiquitous lead exposure is and how it continues to cause harm today. Lead exposure can occur from old leaded paint and deposits from old vehicle emissions (e.g., leaded gasoline).
For nearly 20 years, I have been checking my patients for heavy metal levels. Unfortunately, lead and mercury toxicities occur in the vast majority of my patients—over 80%. Once a heavy metal toxicity is identified, a detoxification program can be initiated.
It is important to have your heavy metal levels analyzed. Unfortunately, in our toxic world, high levels of heavy metals is the norm. What are the consequences of having high levels of mercury, lead or another heavy metal? As I mentioned before, heavy metal toxicity can lead to a host of neurological problems including dementia, brain fog, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
The human body does not like heavy metals ‘floating’ around in the serum. Therefore, it tightly binds them up primarily in fat tissue. However, if a person with high heavy metal levels loses a significant amount of weight, especially in the fatty areas of the body, they can release a toxic load of heavy metals into the serum. Unfortunately, neurological tissue can also bind heavy metals. If the fat tissues are saturated or there is not enough fat to bind heavy metals, neurologic tissue will store the metals. Studies have shown that small amounts of mercury can destroy nerve fibers.
What can you do? The first step is to work with a health care practitioner who is knowledgeable about heavy metals. The practioner should know how to test for and how to treat heavy metal toxicity. I can guarantee you that nearly all physicians neither have the knowledge nor the training to do this. I suggest finding a holistic health care practitioner who does have the appropriate education to identify and treat heavy metal toxicity.
I routinely test my patients for heavy metal toxicities using hair, urine and serum testing. Furthermore, I find chelation challenge tests invaluable to identifying a heavy metal excess. A simple blood test will not suffice as I mentioned previously that the body does not like heavy metals ‘floating’ around in the blood stream. A chelation challenge test is performed by injecting or ingesting a chelating substance such as EDTA, DMPS, or DMSA, and then collecting urine for a few hours afterwards. The chelating substances will bind metals in the body and deposit them in the urine.
If you are not feeling well, find a health care practitioner who can test and treat you for heavy metal toxicity. Once you identify which heavy metal is present, you can institute a targeted detoxification plan. Ensuring that the liver detoxification pathways are optimally functioning can aid any detoxification plan. My partners and I have designed a product,Total Liver Care (TLC) by PureZen Health to help supply the body with the correct raw materials to enhance the detoxification pathways. Also, taking supplemental vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid helps any detoxification plan. It is important to drink enough water in order to help the body flush out toxins. Finally, eat healthy food free of toxic pesticides, insecticides and synthetic hormones.
Remember, you don’t have to suffer with feeling poorly. Identifying and treating heavy metal toxicities can help you take charge of your health care and allow your body to properly detoxify.
DrB
To learn more about liver detoxification just click on the link:Total Liver Care (TLC) by PureZen Health
To learn about our detoxification package just click on the link: Dr Richard Ng’s Detoxification Supplements Package
When taking Alpha Lipoic Acid, does it need to be taken in divided equal doses every 3 hours for several days? There are some people who think that Alpha Lipoic Acid mobilizes mercury very well but doesnt hold on to it long enough, and that since the half life of Alpha lipoic Acid is 3 hours, the mercury that was chelated will be redistributed after this time and might cause more harm unless it is taken every 3 hours continuously. This would mean that a single or double dose of 100-200 mg a day would be extremely harmful according to this argument. I personally don’t understand this argument very well or know if it’s really true. It’s because of this that I hesitate to take ALA, and I don’t want to take divided doses every 3 hours. Is there any merit to the mercury redistribution argument? Should it be safe to take a single or double of 100-300 mg a day without worrying about mercury redistribution?
Daniel,
I have not seen negative issues related to taking LA. I have been prescribing it for over 20 years now. I do not think it needs to be taken every 3 hours to be effective.
DrB
What can I do if a root canal is recommended? What is a holistic alternative? I have had my mercury fillings removed. Thanj you
Nancy,
I do not recommend a root canal. Tooth extraction is an option.
DrB
HI, Now brand Detox support/organic sulfur/600mg of cilantro late at night/chorella/spirulina/brown sea weed, iodine/iodide/Se/Vit C IV and glutathione push or liposomal Vit C and glutathione, Far Infrared Sauna,
EDTA/DMPS IV chelations. Hair tests…for good minerals/heavy metals, Sea salt has about 84 minerals and good water after detoxing may help restore good minerals taken out during detoxing. Taking Zinc/Mg/K may also help. Oral EDTA/DMSA hurt my bones. Urine test after an EDTA./DMPS IV chelation may show how well the IV chelation is removing the heavy metals, not how many are in the body. Alpha liopic acid, milkthistle may help the liver. I got my mercury fillings out. My dentist died who took them out..may have breathed them in and also had undiagnosed Celiac so cancer went from his intestines to his liver. Heavy metals may have lowered the oxygen in him and thyroid/immune system. People can ask at a health food store for the name of an Alternative/Integrative doctor who does IV chelaitons and more. They may not advertise since they get harassed for helping with Alternative medicine.
I took DMSA for heavy metals. My mercury is down, but my lead levels are still high so I am back on the DMSA every other day for 2 months. What are your thoughts about using the drug DMSA?
Mary,
DMSA can be a very useful drug for lead toxicity.
DrB
Can someone take alpha lipoic acid while mercury fillings are still in the mouth? If the answer is no, can alpha lipoic acid be started immediately after all fillings have been removed, or should a few months be waited first before starting to take it?
Daniel,
I have my patients take ALA with and without mercury fillings.
DrB
In a holistic doctor, what credentials should I be looking for concerning heavy metals toxicity. I live in eastern TN and I don’t even believe this area knows what a holistic doctor is! Help!
Go to http://www.ICIMED to find a holistic doctor.
DrB
I am 76 years old and have fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis. I have a mouth FULL of silver fillings including many root canals. I don’t know who to go to that I can trust to check the metal toxicity in my body or to relieve it safely.
Laurel,
You should find a holistic doctor to help guide you. Go to: http://www.icimed.com to find one.
DrB
Can you take T.L.C. if you have mercury fillings?
Cheyenne,
Yes, TLC can be taken if someone has mercury fillings.
DrB
Dr B, I can not find a N.D. any where in Mississippi … Searched everywhere, no luck !!!
Richard,
Go to: http://www.icimed.com to find a practitioner.
DrB
Dr. B, I am currently taking a product called ” PECTASOL ” FROM Advanced Bionutritional , don’t know if it’s
doing any good !!!
You have a typo — missing text:
“If the fat tissues *** *** or there is not enough fat to bind heavy metals, neurologic tissue will store the metals.”
Thank you, Doug!