MERCURY DETOXIFICATION

A. ACUTE POISONING
If you suspect you may have ACUTE metal poisoning, you need to obtain medical help immediately. This is considered a medical emergency. Seek the assistance of a qualified medical toxicologist.


B. AMALGAM REPLACEMENT
The most popular detoxification programs involve amalgam replacement. If you are being poisoned by the metal in your mouth, it makes sense to remove the source. I urge caution here, however. Amalgam replacement is surgery. There are risks.

Many dentists will recommend that you replace your amalgams with plastic composites. Blood tests are available which will measure your reaction to the various materials used. You don't want to replace amalgam with a material to which your body will have an allergic reaction.

I replaced my amalgams with composites, and I would not do it again. The placement of plastic composite fillings is very technique-sensitive. There are several steps involved and each one must be followed meticulously. If the dentist doesn't do it properly, the filling will leak, allowing bacteria to reach the dentin resulting in decay, sensitivity, even pain.

Composites are not known for their longevity. While there are improvements and innovations happening, most composites will last only 5 to 7 years, with some lucky patients keeping them for 10 to 12 years. Then they will have to be replaced. That means more trauma to the tooth. In addition, several competent dentists have told me that composites should not be used on occlusal (biting) surfaces, that these materials are not yet strong enough to bear such pressure, and will wear much more quickly on those surfaces.

My dentist replaced six fillings in two hours, and he did a terrible job. My new dentist will use plastic composites only on nonbiting surfaces, and it takes him an hour and a half to do ONE small filling.

If I had it to do over again, I would not use plastic composites. I would use bonded restorations (manufactured inlays) which are superior to plastic composites for durability and longevity. They are more expensive, and it takes two visits instead of one, but I believe that it is best for the health of the tooth (and the body) in the long run. If you're interested in exploring this further, ask your dentist about Cerac, Targis Vectris or Empress manufactured inlays.

Amalgam replacement involves trauma to the tooth, and the chances of fractures, root canals and extractions. If you must have a root canal, I urge you to investigate the use of biocalix as filling material, rather than gutta percha. Recent research indicates that biocalix discourages the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the canals. This provides some measure of assurance for those concerned about the "focal infection" theory. See bioprobe.com and altcorp.com for the latest research by Dr. Boyd Haley and Dr. Curt Pendergrass on biocalix.

C. DETOXING THE BODY
The science of metal detoxification is still in its infancy. Patients who choose this course of treatment should know that they are engaging in experimental medicine with all of its attendant, and sometimes substantial risks.

Detoxification protocols may involve a diet and supplement program, exercise, saunas, and the use of oral or injectable chelators such as DMSA and DMPS. Some doctors will even use injections of procaine. However, the safety of such injections is the subject of significant controversy.

1. Natural detoxification
Remember that mercury detoxification is in evolution. Researchers are learning and adapting their approaches all the time. My belief is that natural methods are the safest approach. I am not a biochemist or nutritionist, so I refer you to others who know much more than I do about natural detox. I most especially recommend Jeff Clark's website (cfsn.com) and Deborah Baker's website (y2khealthanddetox.com).

Basically, you want to make sure your liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal track are functioning as well as possible. Glutathione is the body's natural mechanism for dealing with mercury, so you want those levels to be high normal. Other dietary and nutrient recommendations will be determined by your own individual needs.

Saunas are encouraged in mercury toxic patients, as mercury levels are elevated in the sweat of such patients. Moderate exercise is also recommended, but I am still learning about this, and will post more as I become better informed.

2. Intravenous vitamin C
Some practitioners will recommend intravenous vitamin C at the time of amalgam replacement and during the course of detoxification. I have found no scientific evidence that such administration can reduce mercury toxicity, although it can provide valuable anti-oxidant effects.

I developed painful kidney stones from intravenous vitamin C. I have no known risk factors for stone formation, and there is no history of kidney stones in my family. So for me, intravenous vitamin C is not the answer.

For more on intravenous vitamin C, see the Safety section on the DMPS page.

3. Procaine
One prominent proponent of "neural therapy" claims that procaine will cause the nerve ganglia to release the metal toxins. What is known is that the "caines" (novocaine, lidocaine, procaine, etc.) are broken down in the body into "anilines". Studies have found anilines to be "aggressive carcinogens". So you want to use as little novocaine as you need in the dentist's office, and look with a healthy suspicion at the use of procaine injections.

4. Synthetic chelators
The primary synthetic chelators are DMSA and DMPS. These chelators are life saving drugs in cases of ACUTE metal poisoning.

For chronic metal poisoning, however, their usefulness only infrequently outweighs the risks. In the opinion of several experts, these should be used only as a last resort. Both are effective heavy metal chelators, but both carry risks of harm. Very often, a patient will recover simply from amalgam replacement, and the appropriate diet and supplement program. If you can, give your body a chance before resorting to these powerful drugs.

more information's:
http://www.dmpsbackfire.com/detox/default.shtml

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