by Tonia Howell

Our modern world is filled with toxins from industrial pollution, car and truck exhaust, tobacco smoke, toxins and heavy metals such as aluminium and lead in drinking water, mercury in dental fillings, heavy metals in fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, medications, PCBs and phthalates in plastics (particularly food packaging) and synthetic chemicals in everyday items such as cosmetics, toiletries, and cleaning products. The healthy body has active, natural defences against all of these assaults but when challenged or overwhelmed by these poisons it can become fatigued, the immune system tattered and the ability to reduce and excrete toxins compromised. The body physically ages faster. Food based nutrition can fall apart with inexplicable allergies with the body becoming susceptible to both acute and chronic illness. Opportunistic viruses, Candida yeast, fungi, and bacteria can wreak havoc. Cancers, autoimmune, circulatory and glandular diseases can gain a hold as the body loses homeostasis.

Of these toxins exposure from mercury dental fillings, also known as 'amalgam' or 'silver' fillings, is a life long threat. Amalgam fillings comprise 50% mercury 'amalgamated' with other metals such as tin, copper, nickel and palladium. It was previously thought mercury was 'locked' into amalgam but this has proved not to be the case. When a person chews, swallows and breathes and when fillings corrode mercury vapour is released and absorbed by the lungs and the linings of the digestive system. Corrosion from wear and tear releases ionized mercury into the saliva, tooth pulp and gum tissues leading to the bloodstream and the rest of the body and internal organs. These vapours are released 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year and will continue until the fillings are removed.

One of the most toxic metals, more toxic even than arsenic or lead, mercury exposure stresses the immune system of every person who has them. Both a properly functioning immune system and the body's method for
excreting mercury consume the antioxidant enzyme Glutathione. When mercury depletes the body of Glutathione, it has a direct negative effect on the immune system's ability to respond properly to infections and cancer. Mercury toxicity has been shown to cause neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive disorders. Signs and symptoms include anxiety, poor memory, insomnia, depression, lack of concentration, headache, migraines, tinnitus, imbalance, bleeding gums, thrush, Alzheimer's, chronic fatigue syndrome, infertility and fertility problems in both men and women and accounts for numerous allergies, skin problems and joint pains.

In the UK the Department of Health issued a warning in 1998 to pregnant women to avoid having dental amalgam fillings during pregnancy so as not to cause possible harm to the foetus. This was after research carried out in Canada the 1990's showed that mercury crossed the placenta and was deposited into the major organs namely kidneys, liver and brains in sheep and chimpanzee. Studies also showed that mercury was expressed in milk fed to their young.

Obviously, not everyone experiences acute toxicity effects from the mercury in their amalgam fillings; however, virtually everyone does have mercury build up in their bodies from such implantations. I discovered this, after battling with Candida for several years, when I read about the links with mercury toxicity and Candida and decided to investigate as the symptoms sounded much like my own.

My research lead me to The British Society For Mercury Free Dentistry and a list of UK mercury free dentists. I had each filling tested with a Dentron Metre to measure the levels of mercury vapour and was advised at least three of the five amalgams I had were very possibly leaking vapours over an amount deemed acceptable. Prior to restoration I was recommended to a Kinesiologist who tested my response to possible alternative fillers and binders. It was suggested that mercury had accumulated in my gut area over years and possibly causing my digestive problems. Studies have shown that mercury vapours are released from fillings by constant chewing, grinding and brushing and from consuming acidic foods and hot drinks.

Wrapped in saliva, the vapours enter the bloodstream and digestive system where they combine with the stomachs hydrochloric acid (HCl) lessening its ability to digest food. This results in putrefaction, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. When mercury vapours and HCl combine and react they produce mercuric chloride. This substance attacks the friendly bacteria in the gut allowing overgrowth of the yeasts competing for mucosal surfaces. There are other ways the body can be exposed to mercury such as diet, environment and employment but exposure from dentistry is the most common source.  Mercury not only accumulates in the gut, it deposits into the fatty tissues and major organs of the body.

I recalled back over my childhood the numerous digestive problems I experienced after I had the fillings done sometime during the mid 1970s and an unexplained bout of Dyspepsia not long after they were very first put in. My Kinesiologist recommended I visit my doctor for some routine blood tests and results showed my body had stopped producing oestrogen. This was sometime after I stopped taking the contraceptive pill. I was then compelled to research further and found mountains of information linking mercury toxicity with infertility. Armed with this new information and after years of relentless battles with strict anti-Candida regimes to rid myself of the constant bloatedness and constipation, thrush, fungal skin infections, tinnitus, poor memory, depression and insomnia I made the decision to have them all replaced.

Six weeks before and during restoration I embarked on a detox programme consisting of L-Glutathione (maximised), Glycine, N-Acety-L-Cysteine (NAC), MSM, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Selenium, Vitamin C, digestive enzymes and probiotics. I also maintained a healthy whole foods diet including particular foods which are known to help such as coriander which acts as an effective aid in the removal of mercury, organic fruit and vegetables including Cilantro (Chinese parsley) which is capable of immobilising mercury and other toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and aluminium from the bones and the central nervous system.

Its worth noting that Cilantro can also be taken in a tea or as drops rubbed into the ankles for mobilisation of metals in all organs, joints below the diaphragm and wrists for all above. Leafy green vegetables are excellent for their first class antioxidant chlorophyll content, good for binding all toxic metals and garlic for protecting red and white blood cells from oxidative damage caused by the metals in the blood stream. Extra vitamin C to boost the immune system and selenium, a potent antioxidant well-known for its protection from the overall toxic effects of mercury which tend to generate into secondary infections.

Good sources are garlic, eggs, fish, chicken and nuts. Brazil nuts have the highest concentration. Fish oils EPA and DHA are equally important in aiding detoxification and improving red and white blood cells circulating the brain, heart and other tissues as all detoxification functions depend on optimal oxygen delivery and blood flow. Plenty of fibre such as oat bran and apple pectin will help bind metals and draw them out as is magnesium and calcium for the protection and control of toxic metals and helping clear them out.

A diet rich in minerals such as raw sea vegetables and grass juices from wheat, barley, alfalfa and kamut will act as chelating agents and a good supplement of milk thistle will help prevent the depletion of Glutathione giving the liver a boost at the same time. Zinc and sulphur are also recommended as mercury and other metals steal sulphur from important proteins which could be enzymes, hormones or cell receptors. Good sources of zinc are egg yolks, garlic, kelp, kale, turnip, raspberries, onions, cabbage and mustard. A good multivitamin with digestive enzymes and HCl are all beneficial too, especially after removal. It is also important to drink plenty of filtered or distilled water to flush toxins out. Charcoal during and after restoration will help mop up any mercury chunks which may end up in the stomach.

A book by Dr. Barry Levenson, President of the British Society for Mercury Free Dentistry entitled "Menace In The Mouth" is a must for anybody worried about mercury toxicity or would like to know more. Dr. Levenson endorses Sea Greens® Wild Seaweed food capsules which can be taken alone or in combination with other non seaweed detoxification measures. These can be taken everyday for general health and well being and are excellent for detoxifying before and after restoration. Another safe way to detox mercury and other metals such as lead and cadmium from the body is by rectal chelation with Detoxamin, a safe non-invasive method with excellent proven results. It's advisable to consult an expert before embarking on any detox programme so that you are following the right guidelines and are fit enough to proceed.

Just as important is the procedure for the removal of such fillings which should follow a safe protocol not only for yourself but for the safety of the dentist also as once these are drilled out minute particles of mercury become airborne and can be dangerously inhaled. Generally, the procedure should involve rubber dams properly installed during drilling to stop particles from going down the throat and slow down the rate of mercury vapours entering the tissues of the mouth, suction under the rubber dam to remove mercury vapour that accumulates under the dam, breathing from a respirator or alternative air source, high impact air humidifier and safe disposal of the removed filling pieces.

There are strict government safety measures for the handling and disposal of mercury. There are also other considerations such as order of fillings to be removed and timeframe to work within which you need to work out with your dentist. Replacement materials are usually ceramic or plastic composite resins (white fillings) but if you are particularly sensitive, these should also be tested first for compatibility with a Kinesiologist for example. Go metal free with restoration as all metal used in dentistry has been demonstrated to cause T-cell mediated immune allergy in some people.

Since restoration my general health and well being has improved immensely and my Candida is much more under control. I'm still detoxifying and hope to continue getting better as although removal of fillings stop any further mercury leaking into your body you still need to detox mercury that has accumulated over the time you had the fillings, which in some cases like mine, is measured in years! I now sleep well, have improved memory and clarity of mind, less depression and my reproductive system back to normal.

We are complex beings with different needs and reactions.  What works for one person may not work for another.  Some people have mercury fillings that never bother them while others experience acute reactions that can literally leave then immobile. I read about a man in America who cured his Alzheimer's and regained good health after removal of many amalgam fillings. If you learn to listen to your body and ask yourself questions you will nearly always find the answer. With something like mercury toxicity, I felt my particular symptoms were stacked too high in favour of mercury being the culprit.

The only way to deal with such a problem is get to the root cause which in this case is removal of the offender. For anybody else wondering if mercury fillings are affecting them, please do your research, get as many tests done as you can afford and weigh up the odds - it's a process of elimination - when all other potential causes have been eliminated just count the fillings in your mouth! It can be an expensive procedure but you cannot put a price on health. It's important to note that not everyone feels immediate benefit after removal and it's been reported that some feel no benefit at all. This is what you have to weigh up and decide. For me there were too many things pointing the finger, it was all in my head.

Useful websites

Bibliography

Menace In The Mouth - Dr. Jack Levenson
Detoxify Or Die - Sherry A. Rogers MD
It's All In Your Head - Dr. Hal Huggins
Tooth Truth - Frank J. Jerome
Boost Your Immune System - Patrick Holford
Candida Albicans - Leon Chaitow