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Oral Environment and Supplementation At present, there is no accepted standard protocol for determining whether or not a patient is mercury-toxic before treatment, or currently suffering from chronic mercury toxicity. The above list of testing procedures is offered as a guide for practitioners who suspect chronic mercury toxicity. Other major factors which play into the patient's health equation are a weakened immune system, nutritional deficiencies, structural distortions (malocclusion, cranial lesions, pelvic dysfunction), energy imbalances within the acupuncture meridian system, cavitations (infections within the jaw bones) organ dysfunction, geopathic stress (environmental distortions due to electromagnetic fields) and psychologic issues. It must be recognized that imbalances from these various sources share similar symptomatology. It is not always possible to differentiate the exact source since it may be coming from several conditions. Removal of mercury from your teeth is an extremely serious issue. Patients need to understand that this procedure has potential adverse health consequences for all involved: the dentist, assistants and the patient. The following information is provided as a preliminary practical guide for general use in the replacemen t of amalgam restorations. It should by no means be construed as the final word. We strongly recommend that any dentist who removes mercury should be properly trained. I. Oral Environment In most cases, a nutritional program of antioxidants, immune support, and oral chelation supplements should be started at least two weeks prior to the first removal of any mercury restorations, continued during treatment and for three months after the last amalgam is removed. Also of primary concern to the dentist should be the patient's oral pH. The oral pH (taken 2 hours after eating:pH paper available from Micro Essential Laboratory, Inc. (718) 338-3618 pHydron paper (pH ranges: 4.5 to 7.5 or 5.0 to 8.0) 10 rolls $35.00). Our clinical experience has been that most if not all chronic pain and chronically ill patients have an acid pH usually between 4.5 to 6.4. This increased acidity plays a major part in causing pain and degenerative diseases. In the book The Calcium Factor (2nd edition 1996 Bokar Consultants, Inc., P.O.Box 21270, Wickenburg, AZ 85358, USA) , Carl Reich, M.D. and Robert R. Bearfoot describe an important chemical reaction (p.42) that occurs in patients whose oral pH is consistently below 6.5. At this low pH the oxygen level is at a low level and a molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of lactic acid which causes the burning pain in the muscles and tissues. On the other hand, when the extracellular pH is 7.4 the oxygen level is at its highest level and now the one molecule of glucose is converted into four nucleotides: adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. These are the basic building blocks of DNA. Chronic degenerative disease is perpetuated by the routine dietary consumtion of too much protein, hydrogenated fats, refined carbohydrates (white bread, cookies, candies, soda, etc.) which help maintain the low acid pH and cause breakdown of cell membranes and tissues. Mercury being an enzyme poison will hasten the process. In addition, the more acid the oral environment the greater the release of heavy metals and mercury. In cases where the patient is debilitated and their oral pH is 6.0 or lower it is recommended that no work be done until the patient's system is alkalized. This process make require several months prior to beginning the removal of mercury. It is always better to start from a more stable physiologic condition than to creat physiologic choas by inappropriate treatment. It is easier to stay out of trouble than getting out of trouble. II. Oral Supplementation Warning: Avoid the use of homeopathic mercury detox formulas at the beginning of treatment. If mercury is present in high concentrations, it will be quickly drawn into the cell with homeopathic remedies. A more efficient approach is to first clean up the surrounding interstial tissues with the approapriate antioxidants and chelators, then use homeopathic remedies.The concept is that cleaning up the surrounding tissue will reduce the extracelular concentration of mercury so when the cell membranes are opened with homeopathics the concentration gradient will be greater within the cell. Mercury will easily transfer from a more dense concentration intra cellularly to a less dense extracellular concentration thus drawing mercury out. DMSA (meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) Chemet This compound is an effective oral chelating agent for removing heavy metals. Chemet is available by prescription only. DMSA (Chemet) is the only chelating agent given orally and a substitute, although not as effective as I.M .and I.V, DMPS (most effective means of chelating mercury out of the body) . DMSA should NOT be given to pregnant or nursing mothers or children under one year of age. Chemet crosses the the blood brain barrier and is not suited for patients with high body burdens of neuro-toxic heavy metals. DMSA has more reported side effects than DMPS (sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane -1-sulfonate) or EDTA. It would be wise to closely monitor laboratory data and patient symptoms. A physician should be utilized as part of the integrated team with sick patients. Prior to treatment the physician should run the following lab tests: SMAC-20 CBC with differential and platelet counts; Creatinine Clearance; hair analysis or Red Blood Cell Minerals. DMSA is available from Hopewell Pharmacy (800) 792-6670. Dosage: 500mg three times per week for eight weeks; stop for two weeks; continue 500mg three times per week for another eight weeks; stop for two weeks; last eight week protocol of 500mg three times per week. Note: Patients with abnormal creatinine or elevated liver enzymes should not be treated with DMSA. All supplements are to be started two weeks prior to mercury removal and continued for three months following removal of the last mercury filling. Pure Synergy: This multi-herbal formulae binds to heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum), accelerates their removal plus boosts the immune system with over 60 organic ingredients that includes vitamins, Chinese and Western herbs, blue-green algaes (chlorella, Spirulina, Klamath Lake Algae) and the juices of wheat grass, Kamut grass, Barley grass, Oat grass, Spelt grass, Alfalfa grass, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants, Royal Jelly, Asian mushrooms, Lecithin and minerals.
Grape Pips: Contains the active compound procyanidins which potentiates the antioxidant effects of vit C by 20% and vit E by 50%.
FoodForm C: Augments excretion of mercury, helps reduce unpleasant side effects of detoxification and functions as a strong antioxidant.
Glutathione: This tripeptide protein protects the liver from damage by binding heavy metals.
Organic Minerals: Supplies calcium, magnesium, zinc and other heavy metals that displace mercury, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals.
Also patients with systemic candida albicans should be treated after the mercury is removed. A symbiotic relationship exists between mercury and candida. The yeast actually benefits the body by absorbing the mercury. Any attempt to resolve the yeast problem first will cause the mercury to be reabsorbed back into the body and exacerbate mercury related symptoms. III. Chelation of trapped mercury
Following the injection of DMPS, many patients comment that they experience an improvement of their mental acuity accompanied by a removal of a brain fog. Because dentists are exposed to the toxic effects of mercury on a daily basis, they should inject themselves routinely to reduce mercury tissue levels. The frequency of injections will depend on the number of fillings remove daily and any pre-existing problems such as hypothyroidism, hypoadrenia, chronic fatigue, weaken immune system, depression. Daily mercury removal will require weekly injections (2.5cc DMPS and .5cc 2% procaine) until the mercury levels are reduced in the urine. |