Chronic Mercury ToxicityIntroductory RemarksI knew of chronic mercury toxicity from my teacher Dr. Klinghardt back in 2001, however, at that time I was skeptical. I questioned why conventional medical practitioners had never even considered it as a possible cause of so many different psychiatric and physical conditions? My patients opened my eyes as they got well against all odds.
When I began to review the literature and talk to people around the globe about their experiences with chelation, I realized how widespread the problems caused by chronic heavy metal toxicity had become. But more importantly, I found that the conditions are entirely treatable!!! Even when chelation is done for a very limited time there is a remarkable 72% + improvement, and the improvements last for years without further treatment. There are no other psychiatric treatments that are this effective, nor are there many other examples of such improvement in medical conditions as a whole. Before embarking on a life-long road of taking multiple medications with frustrating costly side effects, we may need to consider if we should remove amalgam fillings and go through a process of chelation instead. This review is written for my patients who are contemplating whether or not this treatment is right for them. This review is far from being complete. My hope is to give some information that can then encourage people to do more research before they make their final decision. So please, review the facts, studies, observations and clinical examples I have assembled for you. When you are ready, if you consider it appropriate for you, we can start the process of chelation. Where does "mad as a hatter" saying come from?Mercury was introduced into hat making in France in the 17th century. It was a notoriously dangerous profession. The manufacturing of hats from fur entails a process known as felting, in which the hair was cut from pelt (usually that of a rabbit), laid layer upon layer on a conical mould, and pressed and shrunk with the steam of hot water. The advantage of using mercuric nitrates in felting was that it made the outer stiff hairs on the pelt soft and limp, and twisted and roughened them so that they packed together more easily. In Britain the process came to be known as carrotting because treatment with mercuric salts turned white fur reddish brown.The pelts were dipped into mercuric nitrates in poorly ventilated rooms and so common were the symptoms of mercurialism that terms such as "the hatters’ shakes" and "mad as a hatter" were used in everyday speech. In 1805, John Pearson coined the term Erethism which was used to encompass the manifestations of mercury toxicity: excessive timidity, diffidence, increasing shyness, loss of self confidence, anxiety and a desire to be unobserved and unobtrusive. The victim had a pathological fear of ridicule and often reacted with an explosive loss of temper when criticized. Erethism Business boomed because everyone then wore hats! Hats were indicators of gender, occupation, social status, season, interests, and personality. Abraham Lincoln's famous stovepipe hats were made of beaver felt. At the peak of the industry, five million hats a year were produced in 56 different factories in Danbury. "Sea of Hats", circa 1919, courtesy of the Danbury Historical Society. Better to suffer than give up trade. In 1934, following intense objections from hatters’ labor unions, a major scientific study was performed and documented mercury poisoning in hatters. Processes to mat felt that did not include mercury were developed, and by 1943 all use of mercury in hat making ceased. Currently, dentistry is a profession exposed to mercury. Dentists have intensely objected to removing Hg from their trade, similar to the hatter’s union in the beginning of the 20th century. Mercury toxicity is a significant health hazard to the dentistry profession. But, where hatters were endangering only themselves, dentists are putting their patients at risk also. How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron DegenerationThis text will be replaced
5-minute video, copyright University of Calgary 2001 Smoking Teeth = Poison GasThis text will be replaced
42-minute video, copyright 2005 David Kennedy, DDS "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland"
Mercury — chemical characteristicsMercury (Hg) is the only metal that is liquid in home temperature in its elemental form and is considered the most toxic metal on the planet, second only to plutonium.Chemical forms of mercury are designated as: Hg, Hg, Hg² Hg — which comes under the names of elemental mercury, quicksilver, and liquid metallic mercury, is poorly absorbed by ingestion and skin contact. Even upon swallowing, it may not cause significant toxicity. However, its potential danger comes from its ability to release mercury vapor. It is known that 50% of amalgam (silver) dental fillings consist of elemental mercury. The mercury constantly evaporates, thereby creating toxic effects. (Connection to Smoking Teeth movie) Hg Inorganic mercury compounds — mercury salts, like Mercury Chloride (Calomel) were used in teething powder in the first part of the 20th century. Its use started an epidemic among infants and young children causing Acrodynia: it caused erythema of extremities, chest and nose, polyneuritis and GI symptoms. The epidemic ended after Calomel was removed in 1954. This is an example of an iatrogenic condition (a disease caused by a treatment itself). Hg² Organic mercury compounds, come in two forms: Methyl mercury — accumulates in fish muscles and is extremely toxic. The FDA and EPA advise women of child-bearing age, nursing mothers, and young children to completely avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish (golden bass), to limit consumption of albacore ("white") tuna to no more than 6 oz (170 g) per week, and of all other fish and shellfish to no more than 12 oz (340 g) per week. "Psychiatric Aspects of methyl mercury poisoning" was the title of an article published by H.I. Maghazaji in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 1074, 34, 954-958. During the early months of 1972, cases of mercury poisoning were reported among farming communities in Iraq following the ingestion of grain treated with methyl mercury fungicide. There were 6530 cases admitted to the hospitals and 450 hospital deaths attributed to mercury poisoning. Among them, 43 patients were studied by the author. 74% of them showed symptoms of depression, lack of interest, deficient concentration and a desire to be alone. Other symptoms included nihilistic delusions, self deprecations (uncommon in depressed Iraqi patients) and insomnia. 44% of the patients had symptoms of irritability. Other symptoms observed were: auditory and visual hallucinations and intense fears. Treatment with D-penicillamine, DMPS, Thiol resine and other agents was administered. There was a general clinical improvement in the mental state of most patients with psychiatric manifestation. There was also remarkable improvement in patients with moderate or severe neurological abnormalities: bed-ridden patients because of ataxia became ambulatory, almost-blind patients regained visual acuity, and others with peripheral sensory loss improved considerably. It is remarkable that we have such effective tools to deal with severe psychiatric and neurological complications, presuming that they are diagnosed and treated appropriately. Ethyl mercury — Thiomersal is used as a topical antiseptic and a vaccine preservative. Thiomersal was introduced in medicine before the FDA was established; therefore it was grandfathered without rigorous testing. There was only one study done to prove its safety. All of the participants in this study who were given a vaccine with Thiomersal have since died, but their deaths were attributed to other causes; therefore Thiomersal was deemed to be safe. Over the years Thiomersal has caused considerable controversy. Veterinarians removed it from animal vaccines in the 1980s, but yet it continues to be considered safe for humans. Thiomersal has been implicated as a possible cause of autism. Due to very committed community-based activism, it was removed from many vaccines used in children in 2001, but it still remains a preservative in many vaccines used for adults. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has been in the process of reviewing the use of Thiomersal as a vaccine preservative and is reconsidering the increase in the number of vaccinations administered to children. This review is being done partially because of recent increases in litigation from parents of children with autism, and partially because of the emergence of multiple studies pointing to the fact that the increase in the number of vaccinations is coinciding with the current autism epidemic. I went through my five years of residency and fellowship in the Eighties without seeing a single case of autism and I am astonished to see so many cases now. In his book "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies", Kenneth Bock, M.D. compares the symptoms of autism with mercury poisoning victims and finds them to be almost identical. Symptoms of Autismcompared with those of Mercury Poisoning
Sources of mercury exposure
Dentists and amalgam fillingsIf you talk to most of the contemporary practicing dentists about amalgam fillings, you may get an unsettling impression. According to many of them, amalgam fillings in your mouth are not dangerous and can cause no toxicity. Therefore they feel it is absolutely safe to put them in your mouth, particularly in places where it is difficult to reach. Amalgam fillings are inexpensive and cost effective. Most dentists have no hesitation putting them into their own mouths, or the mouths of their loved ones. Dentists are usually unaware of any professional risks to their own health; they do not hesitate to work with mercury: mixing, drilling or replacing amalgam fillings. In many clinics, particularly publicly funded ones, amalgam fillings are your only choice. Some dentists do not even hesitate to put a metal crown on top of an existing amalgam filling.However, the story may change if you want to replace amalgam fillings. Dentists may point out that during the process you may develop significant side effects and they are reluctant to replace the fillings. In addition, insurance companies consider amalgam removal and replacement to be only of cosmetic value. When teeth containing amalgam are extracted they are treated as a very poisonous entity and must be disposed of as highly toxic material. When mercury is delivered to the office there is a skull and cross bones sign indicating material of extreme danger. But ironically, when in your mouth, dangerous mercury miraculously transforms into a safe material. Unfortunately most of the dentists are refusing to reconcile the current situation and become quite frustrated when it is discussed. In addition to keeping rank and file in order, quite a few dentists have lost their licenses when supporting the validity of toxicity poisoning due to amalgam fillings. Dentistry itself is a profession at risk. In a case report study by a dentist regarding mercury toxicity in his patients, the following emotional symptoms were described:
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) considers amalgam fillings to be prosthesis and has been refusing to regulate its content. But a political /scientific/practical approach has been evolving in western countries in the last twenty years. For example, in 1996 Canada’s advisory on amalgam included the manufacturer’s listed contra-indications, i.e. No amalgam is allowed:
tremor, fatigue, headaches, irritability, excitability, depression, insomnia, loss of memory, hallucinations, psychiatric disorders, mental deterioration and resentment to criticism, bronchitis, kidney failure, chest pain and palpitations, colitis, dermatitis, blood disorder, infertility and birth defects. Theoretically speaking, it would mean that if you are in Los Angeles, your dentist must warn you about potential side effects of amalgam fillings, but if you are in New York he has no such legal obligation. How many amalgam fillings are too much?My opinion is that even one is too many. But in the G. M. Richardson study; "Monte Carlo Assessment of Mercury Exposure and Risks from Dental Amalgam" (Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: Vol. 2, No 4, pp.- 709-761, 1996.) he came to a different conclusion. Authors of this study assumed that a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of mercury is 0.014 µg Hg/kg body weight/day is safe. Therefore based on the least conservative numbers of amalgam-filled teeth estimated not to compromise health, they consider it was safe to place: 1 filling in toddlers; 1 filling in children; 3 fillings in teens; 4 fillings in adults. Of course these numbers are based on complicated mathematical formulas and may have little to do with an individual person.Who is responsible for protecting the public from mercury toxicity?If you look at legal cases, nobody is responsible. Let’s look at cases that were tried in court:The American Dental Association (ADA), in court: "The ADA owes no legal duty of care to protect the public from allegedly dangerous products used by dentists. The ADA did not manufacture, design, supply or install the mercury-containing amalgams." (Case No. 718229, Superior Court of the State of California In and For the County of Santa Clara, October 22, 1992) The ADA does NOT certify mixed dental amalgam: "The specification is not for dental amalgam. It is only for the alloy for dental amalgam. The amalgam does not form until the dentist mixes the alloy with mercury. Therefore, dental amalgam per se cannot be certified. We cannot certify a reaction product made by the dentist." (ADA letter, May 22, 1986). The FDA has NOT accepted and classified dental amalgam! FDA has accepted and classified only "Dental Mercury" and "Amalgam Mercury" to protect the manufacturers. (See website for approved dental devices!) FDA says: "FDA regulates the manufacture of medical devices. No manufacturer produces mixed dental amalgams. The mixed dental amalgam is prepared by dental clinicians." (FDA letter, April 2, 1991) But situations have been changing in the last twenty years. In several European countries where there is socialized medicine, amalgam fillings are prohibited. In June, 2008 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to set a date to classify mercury amalgam as a substance that poses a health risk to pregnant women and unborn babies, and children. This is a settlement in response to a lawsuit: Moms against Mercury et al. v. Von Eschenbach. As part of the settlement, the FDA agreed to and, with uncharacteristic speed, has already changed its website— dramatically. The Updated June 3, 2008 FDA website now states, for example: For more information see http://www.mercurypolicy.org/. Additional risks of amalgam fillingsAmalgam fillings consist of 50% amalgam and 50% alloys of other metals which are also toxic to the body. The combination of different metals creates a much higher toxicity than just the sum of two or more metals; they markedly increase the cumulative toxic effect.As mercury evaporates from amalgam fillings it creates space for cavitations and chronic dental infections. So, amalgam is a poor dental material as well. The risks of amalgam fillings can dramatically increase if other metal alloys are put into the mouth, like gold or steel. It creates a galvanic flow (electrical/chemical flow) in the mouth and accelerates the release of toxic metals from the alloys. Forms of mercury toxicityAcute toxicity
Chronic toxicity
How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron DegenerationThis text will be replaced
5 minute video, copyright University of Calgary 2001 Signs of mercury toxicityGrossAtaxia, intention tremors, uncoordinated, dysarrthria (inarticulate speech), psychomotor retardationSubtle
When to suspect mercury toxicity
How come some people have toxicity issues and others do not?We all are different. There are several factors involved that can affect how and if we manifest symptoms of toxicity:
All of the above factors can have a tremendous effect. The last factor would be our genes. Apoliprotein E significanceApoliprotein E (APO E) has been strongly implicated as a risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. There is also a connection to heavy metal toxicity.Apoliprotein E (APO E) has 299 amino acids with different ratios of cysteine and arginine at positions 112 and 158. APO-E2 has 2 cysteins, APO-E3 has one cysteine and one arginine and APO E4 has two arginines. Arginine, unlike cysteine looks at the sulphydryl (SH) groups to potentially bind bivalent metals such as mercury, lead, copper or zinc. It becomes a logical possibility that metal accumulation increases in those chronically exposed individuals who had not inherited APO- E 2. Lack of sulphydryl (SH) groups to bind bivalent metals such as mercury, lead, copper or zinc increases the accumulation of heavy metals. (Roses, AD, et "Apolipoprotein E genotyping as a diagnostic adjunct for Alzheimer’s disease". Int Psychogeriatrics. 119; 9 (suppl 1)277-288 and 317-321) Distribution of Apoliprotein genotype in the population was examined in New Zealand by M. Godfrey: 1-2% of the population has homozygous APO-E4/4. 20% has heterozygous APO—E3/4, 50-60% has APO-E3/4; Reminder: E-2/2, E- 2/4, E-2/3. Chronic mercury toxicity is more common among people with APO-E 4/4 and APO- 3/ 4. (M. Godfrey, et. “Apolipoprotin E genotyping as a potential biomarker for mercury neurotoxicity”. J. of Alzheimer’s Diseases 5 (2003)189-195) How to diagnose mercury toxicity
Why do we need provocation testing?Without testing we cannot be sure that toxicity is actually present even though a lot of medicine is practiced without ever looking at what is causing the particular problem (for example, treatments for depression, anxiety, hypertension and other conditions). Patients can be exploited when they are told to buy dubious supplements that have never been proven effective for chelation; furthermore, without proper testing we cannot assume that toxicity is present. Patients can be tricked into using supplements that they do not need.In the body, mercury is bound to a tissue, primarily the nervous cells, thus causing damage. A Provocation test can reveal the total burden to the body, i.e. how much mercury is in the whole body. It does not, however, specify which organ is affected. The test just gives an idea how severely the patient is affected by heavy metal toxicity. One of the best laboratories to do this testing is Doctor’s Data (http://doctorsdata.com/home.asp). A Provocation test should always be preceded by a Random Test. The test will show how much the body is able to excrete (get rid of) mercury through urine. Random and provocation tests are compared. If there is little difference between them it can be because:
Is the provocation test dangerous?For testing, we are using medications that can potentially cause side effects. Most of the side effects, however, are caused by using DMPS intravenously for provocation; we are using DMPS orally, not intravenously. The potential benefits and side effects should be considered in the process of deciding whether or not to do the test. I require patients to sign a consent form before the procedure. In my personal experience, and in the experience of sever al other experienced practitioners such as Drs. Klinghardt and Wojcik, serious side effects are extremely rare when DMPS is used orally and not intravenously, as it had been in the past. Patients should have a complete blood work prior to testing to be sure that he/she has adequate kidney and liver function.Agents used for provocation testing
Laboratory indicators for mercury toxicityAcute toxicity can be determined by a blood mercury level, but under regular circumstances it is almost never needed.Chronic toxicity is determined if there is a 10 fold increase between the pre- and post- challenge urinary mercury levels; or the post-challenge test is >5 mcg/g Creatine. Other norms exist and depend on the laboratory testing involved. (M. Dauderer "Mobilization test for environmental metal poisoning" Forum des practische und Algenende Artes 28 (1989), 88-90(transl)) Specific Urinary Porphyrin Profile- assesses chronic exposure to Mercury. Hg changes activity of uroporphynogen decarboxylaze (UROD) and coproporphynogen oxidase (CPOX). This test is available in some US laboratories, but it is not approved for use in NY. What is the evidence that removing heavy metal helps to resolve symptoms of psychiatric and physical conditions?There has been very little interest in financing and doing outcome studies on chronic heavy metal toxicity. I will review some that are primarily applicable to psychiatry, roughly divided into four categories:
In another study, scores of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), the Milton Clinical Multiracial Inventory II (MCM-II) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were compared before and after dental amalgam removal of eight schizophrenic patients to scores six months after amalgam removal. Significant improvement was found in forty-one of the sixty-one component scales of MMPI-2 and 12 of 20 subscales including schizophrenia, hysteria, paranoia and anger. Four of nine dimensions improved significantly on the SCL-90 including depression, and psychotic and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. R. Siblerud, et al: "Psychometric Evidence that Dental Amalgam Mercury May be an Etiological Factor in Schizophrenia" J. of orthomolecular Medicine; Vol. 14. No 4, 1999 These studies show that by replacing amalgam fillings even patients with serious psychiatric conditions have chances to significantly improve their symptom.s In a study done in Sweden by Ulf Lindh, 463 consecutively enrolled patients were referred by medical practitioners and dentists to the Center for Metal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden from 1991 to 1996. All of the patients experienced chronic, long-lasting, severe disease not explained by thorough examinations and laboratory tests. Out of 30 symptoms, the median number of symptoms was 19; 7% of patients experienced all 30 symptoms. Patients were found to have hypersensitivity or allergy to metals comprising dental alloys as diagnosed by MELISA (Memory Lymphocyte Immuno Stimulation Assay). They underwent removal of incompatible dental materials, such as dental amalgam (mercury compounds), gold alloys or non precious metal alloys and they completed a 30 question medical questionnaire before, during and after amalgam removal. In addition, patients underwent a very simple oral anti-oxidant treatment:
There was again a significant improvement in the quality of life for 72 % of patients. The reason could be hypersensitivity or allergy to metals comprising dental alloys. It is a remarkable percentage considering that patients had not responded to any conventional treatment modality. The most interesting study was done by Damian P. Wojcik, MD from New Zealand. (Damian P. Wojcik, et “Mercury toxicity presenting as a chronic fatigue, memory impairment and depression: Diagnosis, treatment, susceptibility, and outcomes in New Zealand general practice setting (1994-2006) Neuroendocrinology Letters, Vol. 27, no 4 2006 415-423). This was a retrospective study in which he examined and analyzed diagnostic and treatment results of over 1000 patients in a general New Zealand community practice over a ten year period. Patients who were clinically suspected of having Chronic Mercury Toxicity (CMT) were compared using a 124 symptoms questionnaire based on International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (www.IOMT.org). Intravenous DMPS provocation testing was done wherever possible. (He did not report any significant negative reaction to intravenous use of DMPS- MG., private communication.) Most of these patients had symptoms not responding to any contemporary medical approach, including patients with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, depression, manic-depressive illness and Alzheimer’s. Those patients who had identifiable signs of mercury toxicity and whose provocation test results were significantly above what would be normally expected, were treated for mercury toxicity. Patients with Chronic Mercury Toxicity (CMT) were advised to abstain from mercury contaminated fish, replace their amalgams with non-mercury composite restorations, and then complete a 3 month course of oral mercury chelation with DMSA (Di-mercapto-succinic acid) at a dose of 500 mg nightly thrice weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri) on alternative weeks for a total of 9 grams. Chlorella 3 grams per day was given for the DMSA weeks, as well as nutrient and anti-oxidant support. Only 33 patients completed follow-up DMPS provocation testing. Patients served as their own control. Below are tables illustrating the results of the study: Figure 1. MEAN SYMPTOM SCORE POST TREATMENT As we can see the best results were achieved when amalgam replacement was combined with DMSA chelation. Figure 2a. FATIGUE SCORE Significant improvement was obtained when dental work was done in conjunction with DMSA chelation. Homeopathy appears to be an acceptable alternative for those who are reluctant to use DMSA. Figure 2b. LOSS OF MEMORY SCORE Figure 2c. DEPRESSION SCORE Remarkable that treatment resistant depression can be treated using DMSA chelation. Figure 3 This study can provide an inspiration in approaching difficult to treat patients with complicated medical/psychiatric issues. What is remarkable is that not only did patients’ symptoms improve and in many cases get completely resolved, but most patients were followed for over eight years and the level of improvement was maintained. There is no other medical treatment that is available in psychiatry for the treatment of depression that will maintain a depression-free status after only three months of treatment. However this study did have a number of issues. The main one being that design and testing changed several times and groups were put together artificially. A big obstacle was that the patients had to pay out of their pockets for many things, including heavy metal testing, dental work and some other treatments, so there was no consistency in treatment. It is, however, the only study that compared those who removed amalgam fillings with those who did not; those who had DMSA chelation, or homeopathic treatment with those who did not. The study gives us practical unbiased direction in treatment alternatives! The last set of studies deal with autism. Several studies, many practitioners and many parents have emphasized the possible connection between the autism epidemic and mercury toxicity. One of the hypotheses is that since 1984 the number of vaccinations given to children has dramatically increased and even though it may appear that the amounts of mercury that infants and toddlers were receiving were relatively small, injecting vaccines into the muscles and under the skin bypasses the usual defenses of the gastrointestinal tract and directly affects the central nervous system. In addition, the vaccines themselves have severe impact on the underdeveloped immune system. The autism epidemic onset coincides with the increased number of vaccinations given. The only groups of children free of autism are Pennsylvania Amish and 35,000 + children from a Chicago area of Christian believers receiving home schooling. Both groups have refused vaccinations. The incidences of asthma, allergies and ADHD in these groups are also extremely small. (Kenneth Bock, M.D. "Healing the new childhood epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies" Ballantine books, 2007). The Autism Research Institute has been conducting an ongoing study of the parents of autistic children, collecting information on what intervention works and what does not. The most effective intervention has been chelation. Out of 627, 3% of the children got worse, 24 % did not improve and 73% had improvement! See "Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects on Biomedical Interventions" for more information. What agents are used to treat mercury toxicity?This is a list of pharmaceutical agents used for chelation.
IV — intravenously BBB — blood brain barrier EDTA is primarily used intravenously for the treatment of heart conditions. Currently there is a large double blind control study underway funded by NIH to assess the effectiveness of this treatment. If results are positive, it may change the way heart patients are treated. However, only 5 % of EDTA is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, so it is a poor oral agent. It also has low affinity for mercury; therefore those who have undergone treatment with EDTA may still have plenty of mercury in their organs, particularly in the brain. DMPS is not available as a prescription medication in the US, but is available through compounding pharmacies. It is one of the most effective medications to remove mercury, particularly from the kidneys, but it is quite expensive. It is an agent used for provocation testing to assess the total body burden of heavy metals. It does not cross the blood brain barrier so it may not be an effective agent for people with emotional issues. DMSA is an agent used in the Wojcik study and in many autistic children. It is my drug of choice for most of the patients. Cupramine has not gained popularity and is rarely used, possibly due to some of its side effects. In addition to the medications, there are several supplements being promoted for chelation. Unfortunately, there is no credible information confirming their effectiveness. Their use may be based on hype and promotional tactics without much evidence that they are effective. One of the most widely promoted agents is Metal Free, but it is quite expensive and has not been proven to be effective. How chelation should be administered
For a holistic treatment to be most effective it should utilize treatment approached on all 5 levels. When chelation begins, patients start to resolve their psychological traumas. They have to be supported physically, energetically, psychologically and spiritually. How long does it take to start to feel better?After removal of amalgam fillings, if done by a good holistic dentist, patients quite often feel some sort of relief within a week or so. If it is done by a conventional dentist, there can be an aggravation of their condition lasting several weeks.Chelation should be started with the smallest possible dose. The dose is gradually increased if the patient is able to tolerate it. Supplementation must accompany the process. Quite often people may start to feel lighter; within several weeks they may be ready to reduce medications and supplements. For most patients the process takes 3 to 7 months. However, if the patient continues to be exposed to mercury, for example, a connection to a dentist, the process may last as long as the exposure persists. Many holistic dentists practice life long chelation in order to protect their health. Because of that they are symptom free. During chelation, every two months you will need to do a follow up laboratory evaluation and provocation test. How to know when chelation is completeThere will be several indicators that chelation is complete. First, you will feel better and there will be less need for medications and supplements. Laboratory testing will show that amounts of heavy metals are decreasing. And finally, kinesiological testing will guide you toward treatment completion.What is the success rate?The studies we reviewed showed that about 75% of patients have either improvement or complete resolution of symptoms. I think the percentage could be even higher if all necessary modalities are applied. But it is important to be patient. If side effects occur, do not panic, but rather discuss them with me. It is a team effort to help you regain your health to its fullest potential.Outcome studies are needed. To contribute to scientific truthfulness I will ask you to cooperate in answering several questionnaires about your condition and progress. Concluding thoughts
Protocol for ChelationFind a .pdf version of the Protocol for chelating / removing toxic metals from the body.Additional notes on how to do chelation protocol:Chelation is an important process of eliminating toxic metals from the body. The process may take from two to twelve months. We will be going through the steps of oral chelation. There are, however, some important tenets to follow:
Steps of oral chelation
Vitamin C Flush testWe differ in how much Vitamin C (Vit C) or ascorbic acid we need at any given time of our lives. Vit C needs change and vary depending upon our health and nutritional state. If we have a cold, or body toxicity, our Vit C needs are greater than usual. The body has several ways to regulate Vit C levels. The first is the intestinal transport mechanism which limits the amount of Vit C tolerated. The rationale of this mechanism is being used in the Vit C flush test.It is important to know which type of Vit C is being consumed. Different forms of Vit C are commercially available. Most forms are usually synthetic ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid comes in 2 forms or polymers: left (L) or right ®. They are look-alike mirror images but only the L polymer is biologically active, i.e. has value for our body functions. The human body can only utilize the L form of ascorbic acid. Unfortunately, most of the commercially sold ascorbic acid does not make a distinction between forms L and R. One company I recommend is Perque Potent C Guard, buffered ascorbate, which uses 100% L-ascorbate. It comes in 2 forms, pill or powder. Powder is easier to absorb, but pills are easier to handle. Vit C is an essential component in the chelation protocol. It is a known free-radical scavenger and has its own chelating properties. How to do the Vitamin C flush testSeveral hours are required for test completion. Plan to have close access to the bathroom throughout testing. It is easier to do the test with the powdered form of buffered Vit C. You will need to keep notes each time you take Vit C. Start the dose on an empty stomach.Start taking 1/2tsp of Vit C powder diluted in water or juice, every 15 minutes and record the time of each dose. If after 4-5 doses there is no diarrhea, start taking 1 tsp of Vit C powder. When you have repetitive loose bowel movements, your intestines are signaling that they have reached a critical tolerance level of Vit C absorption. Give your body a rest for a few days. Each tsp contains 3000 mg (3 gms) of Vit C. If you are taking pills, it is easier to dose but takes much longer for absorption and for your body to respond. Your Vit C body requirements can vary between 5ooo mg and 40000 mg. For the next week or so you will need to take 75% of the achieved dose per day, in divided doses. For example, if you began running to the bathroom after taking 10,000mg Vit C, then your daily dose for the next week should be 7500mg/day divided into 3 doses making it 2500mg/dose. You can ingest the Vit C as pills or dissolved powder. Keep the dissolved powder with water in a dark bottle. Keep refrigerated and sip it all day long. You may need to repeat the Vit C flush test weekly or every other week. In due time your tolerance will decrease and you will require less dosage. |
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Dr. Michael I. Gurevich
997 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Head, NY 11545
997 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Head, NY 11545
The term "mad hatter" was used in the portrayal of a character in Lewis Carroll’s "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland". The Mad Hatter was an eccentric extrovert always obsessed with time. His watch, which he shook and looked at constantly, told only the day not the hour; it was two days late, a result of the March Hare’s putting butter in the works. This was an unending regret to him, as was his quarrel with Time, who, so he told Alice, was 
