There is very clear evidence showing damage to neurons in the brain caused by mercury toxicity. Many scientists, researchers, doctors, dentists and nutritionists are concerned that mercury toxicity could be at the heart of increasing chronic, degenerative, nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia, Autism, depression and anxiety and even cancer.
Mercury enters our body through three major routes, apart from industrial and occupational exposure. The most well discussed route is through ingestion of mercury-contaminated fish and seafood. Chronic exposure to mercury also comes from amalgam fillings, known as silver fillings and recent research shows that this may be the source of our most intense exposure. The third and less obvious route is through mercury added in the preservative thimerosal and as an adjuvant in infant, influenzae and other vaccines. An adjuvant is a substance added to vaccines to increase the immune response. It is also reported to save money for vaccine manufacturers. Adjuvants can include Mercury, Aluminum and Vegetable oils, including but not limited to peanut oil.
Seafood and Fresh Water Fish Contamination
Methylmercury is a worldwide contaminant of seafood and freshwater fish. Studies have shown that methylmercury toxicity causes central nervous system damage during fetal development. The brain has already begun to form by the third week of gestation and interruptions at this time can result in severe abnormalities to the brain and spinal cord. Also, during the third trimester the developing infant brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of neurotoxins like methylmercury, through placental transfer. These effects have been amply documented (Grandjean et al., 2011).
One study followed Faroese children whose mothers ate large amounts of fish and whale meat during pregnancy. Many years later, their children continue to suffer the effects of long-term nervous system damage, after they were exposed to high levels of mercury in utero. These effects include impairment of attention, language and memory and decreased nervous system control of heart function, which negatively affects their oxygen supply. The study reported that both prenatal and postnatal mercury affected brain function of the children. Author of the study Philippe Grandjean and professor in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health advises: “Many other industrial compounds are thought to cause developmental neurotoxicity, mostly with less epidemiological support than methylmercury. The experience obtained with methylmercury should therefore be taken into account when evaluating the evidence for other substances suspected of being neurotoxic (Grandjean et al., 2011).” We have so much information about the damaging effects of neurotoxicity in humans, and particularly in developing children, that heeding the warnings presented by our experience with mercury can prevent irreparable damage in future generations.
Grandjean is also senior author of the epidemiological study, Delayed Neurotoxicity Due To Developmental Exposure To Methylmercury.” He recommends: “The current focus on protecting pregnant women against this neurotoxin should be expanded to cover children and adolescents as well… (Harvard Press Release, 2004).”
So we know from Grandjean’s work that we’ve been underestimating the neurotoxicity of methylmercury on the central nervous system and brain. We can conclude that when pregnant mothers are exposed to methylmercury, this potent neurotoxin can cross through the placenta and is capable of causing irreparable damage to the developing infant’s central nervous system and brain.
Exposure to Mercury through amalgam ‘silver’ tooth fillings
Let’s look at the second way we are exposed to mercury, through amalgam tooth fillings. ‘Silver’ fillings are approximately 50% mercury and 50% other metals like copper, tin, silver and zinc. Amalgams were invented in the early 1820s, without safety studies. It is well known that mercury is a heavy metal and is considered fiercely toxic to biological life, including humans.
According to the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology in a short documentary, ‘Smoking Teeth = Toxic Fillings,’ mercury is always off gassing from amalgam fillings, more and faster with hot liquids. Mercury blocks many biochemical reactions in your body and can reduce kidney function and impair the liver’s detoxification process. Mercury accumulates in brain and nervous tissue and is a potent neurotoxin destroying nerve cells and the myelin sheath surrounding them. Several prominent research scientists have pointed the finger at mercury for causing damage to the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. If mercury poisoning is responsible for the neuron damage seen in Alzheimer’s patients, is it possible it contributes to other brain and nervous system damage as seen in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Autism, brain cancer and other more systemic blood diseases? The film explains: “It is the opinion of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology that the responsible government agencies (FDA & EPA) should prohibit the use of Mercury Fillings “Silver Fillings” until such time as their manufacturers produce the alleged evidence of safety (Lorscheider et al., 2011).”
Here is an interesting observation. When my clients have a distinct type of halitosis, a strong metallic smelling ‘bad breath,’ removing their mercury fillings causes the bad smell to disappear and their health and self-esteem greatly improve.
One of the first things Kapil Arn did as he healed himself of a severe and near fatal case of non-Hodgkins Lyphoma was to remove his ‘train-tracks,’ multiple mercury fillings. He tested positive for mercury poisoning (Kapil Arn, 2011). Watch this quick interview to learn how Kapil healed himself: http://incrediblehealingjournals.com/ihj-interviews-kapil-arn-on-curing-non-hodgkins-sub-cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma/ [1].
Mercury has long been known to be a potent neurotoxin, whether inhaled or ingested through food. Medical research laboratories have shown that dental amalgam tooth fillings are a major contributor to mercury body burden. In 1997, scientists demonstrated that mercury vapor inhalation in animals produced a molecular lesion in brain tissue which was similar to the lesions seen in 80% of patients with Alzheimer’s diseased brains (Lorscheider, F.L., et al., 1999).
Scientists at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine have archived direct visual evidence of exactly how mercury ions alter the cell membrane structure of developing neurons. After exposure to mercury, the film shows rapid degeneration of neurofibrils. Through the degeneration process, mercury attaches itself and prevents tubulin proteins from hooking together, stripping the developing neuron of its support structure. Neurofibrils form tangles after mercury causes disintegration of the structure at the end of neurons (Lorscheider F.L., et al., 1999).
This research provides evidence that low-level mercury exposure initiates the specific degenerative process of neurons, such as that seen in Alzheimer’s diseased brains and other similar disorders caused by exposure to highly toxic elements.
Exposure to Mercury (and other neurotoxins) via Vaccinations
The third and less obvious exposure of mercury is through vaccinations. The research into damage caused to neurons by mercury exposure from tooth amalgams sheds light on how mercury and other neurotoxic adjuvants in vaccines can damage brain cells in children and contribute to or cause Autism and other neurological disorders.
Since 1994, in Canada, vaccines used for routine immunization of children do not contain thimerosal (mercury). According to the Health Canada website, vaccines that do not contain thimerosal include diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whopping cough), polio, rubella (German measles), measles (red measles), mumps and Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Health Canada, 2013). This does not mean that these infant vaccines don’t carry other neurotoxins such as Aluminum or potential allergens like peanut oil. Hepatitis B vaccine, influenzae and other vaccines not listed here could potentially contain mercury and other neurotoxic additives. Before 1994 in Canada, many infant vaccines did contain thimerosal.
Since vaccinations were first implemented, their frequency and number has increased substantially. Today our infants and children receive an onslaught of virus particles, dangerous elements like Mercury and Aluminum, toxic preservatives and allergen inducing ingredients from vaccinations during the most important years of their development.
In the 1970s the rate of autism was about one case in 2500 children (Dales et al. 2001).
Since then, autism rates have skyrocketed: “About 1 in 88 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD),” according to estimates from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2012).
The Vaccine Risk Awareness Network (VRAN) is a great place to look for information about vaccines. VRAN is maintained by a group of dedicated parents and volunteers whose children have been damaged by vaccinations. From VRAN: “While numerous American autism groups connect vaccines to autism, Canada remains mute regarding the association. Independent research has provided significant evidence that the mercury-containing preservative, thimerosal; aluminum adjuvants; Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine; and the colossal number of vaccines injected within a very short time span, all contribute to the total burden of autism (VRAN, 2013).” See VRAN’s website for information about vaccines, vaccination damage and exemption forms for school, http://vran.org/exemptions/ [2].
It’s clear that something is terribly wrong. There is so much evidence of a causal relationship between vaccinations and neurological and immune system damage that it has become imperative for us to recognize this correlation and take proactive steps.
It’s crucial to remember that the way our children become healthy and strong is to eat highly nutritious foods and be exposed to viruses gradually over time. This way they build a powerful immune system, not a compromised one.
As a parent, you do not have to agree to all vaccinations, you can pick and choose. You can ask for hepatitis and flu vaccines without mercury, although these same vaccines might still contain aluminum and vegetable oil (could be peanut or tree nut oil) adjuvants. It is your right as a concerned and informed parent to choose which vaccines are important for your children and to opt out of any vaccinations that you feel are not safe.
Reflect on what toxins your family is exposed to unnecessarily and take steps to reduce the long-term and irreversible damage that can be caused by exposure to mercury and other toxic elements in food, dental fillings and vaccinations. Your family physician or naturopathic doctor can use blood, hair and urine analyses to measure the amount of mercury toxicity you and your children are carrying. A urine analysis can also show toxicity from other heavy metals like aluminum, cadmium, lead and nickel and may be considered the most accurate determinant of heavy metal contamination. Perhaps its time to consider having mercury amalgams replaced with less toxic fillings, by an experienced dentist.
If community members and local health administrators work together, we can begin to create a better world now and for future generations. It just doesn’t work to keep repeating the same old information that amalgam fillings and vaccinations are safe across the board. The evidence shows us this simply isn’t true. Common sense shows us it’s not true as well. If mercury is such a dangerous heavy metal causing nervous system damage from eating contaminated fish, how can health administrators continue to tell us it’s safe to inject heavy metals, potential allergens and neurotoxins directly into the bloodstream of developing infants or fix mercury amalgam fillings into our children’s mouths. As parents, it’s our responsibility to take control of the health of our children by being aware of what helps and what hinders their health and by taking an active role in securing policies and procedures which ensure and secure wellness in our communities.
Remember the ‘Mad Hatter,’ in ‘Alice in Wonderland?’ The character was fashioned after a peculiar disease that arose in employees working in the felt hat manufacturing industry in the early 1800s. The disease, known as the Mad Hatter Syndrome included symptoms like trembling (‘Hatter’s Shakes’), loss of coordination, slurred speech, loosening of teeth, memory loss, depression, irritability and anxiety. Inhalation of the toxic mercury solution used in the felting process caused that (Connealy, 2006).
Lisa Robbins, BScHN, RHN, CTT.
Author of The Cancer Journal Heal Yourself and Cancer Cure Stories. Lisa shares delicious healing recipes, simple cleanses and tips at www.thegoodwitch.ca [3] and interviews people from around the world who tell their remarkable healing stories at www.incrediblehealingjournals.com [4].
This article was published in the Spring Issue of Greenzine Magazine 2013. Winter Issue here: http://issuu.com/knowabout/docs/greenzine_winter_2013 [5]
References:
Adams, Dr. Alison, Dentist, Naturopath and Author. ‘Facts About Mercury in Dental Amalgam Fillings.’ Electronic video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3CJ8lhfj6ug. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
Arn, Kapil. ‘IHJ Interviews Kapil Arn On Curing non-Hodgkin’s sub-cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma.’ 2012. Electronic video, http://incrediblehealingjournals.com/ihj-interviews-kapil-arn-on-curing-non-hodgkins-sub-cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma/ [1]. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ‘Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).’ Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. (Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Data & Statistics. Electronic document, l [6]. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
Connealy, Leigh Erin, M.D. ‘The Mad Hatter Syndrome: mercury and biological toxicity.’ 2006. Electronic document, http://www.naturalnews.com/016544.html [7]. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
Dales L, Hammer SJ and N.J. Smith. ‘Time Trends in Autism and in MMR Immunization Coverage in California.’ 2001. Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services. Journal of the American Medical Association, 285(22): 1183-85. Electronic document, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11231748. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
Grandjean, Philippe, MD, DMSc., 2011. ‘Brain Development and Methylmercury: Underestimation of Neurotoxicity.’ Electronic document, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096460/. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
Grandjean, Philippe, Weihe, Pal and Roberta F. White. ‘Delayed neurotoxicity due to developmental exposure to Methylmercury.’ University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, USA; Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands. Electronic document, http://www.cprm.gov.br/pgagem/Manuscripts/grandjeanp.pdf [8]. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
Harvard School of Public Health. ‘Prenatal Exposure to Mercury From A Maternal Diet High in Seafood Can Irreversibly Impair Certain Brain Functions in Children.’ 2004. Electronic document, http://archive.sph.harvard.edu/press-releases/archives/2004-releases/press02062004.html. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
Health Canada. ‘Mercury Your Health and the Environment. 2013. Q33. What degree of mercury exposure has my six-month-old baby encountered from vaccines? Is there a health risk associated with this level of exposure?’ Electronic document, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/mercur/index-eng.php. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
Lorscheider, F.L., Leong, C.C.W. and N.I. Syed. ‘How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration.’ Department of Physiology and Biophysics. Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. 1999. Electronic video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbmXXfQg2E [9]. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
VRAN, Vaccine Risk Awareness Network. ‘Autism.’ Electronic document, https://vaccinechoicecanada.com/ [2]. Retrieved March 7, 2013.