Mercury Poisoning, Dental Fillings and Toxicity
Mercury is one of the most toxic metals and a poison found in our soil, water and food supply as well as in sewage sludge, fungicides and pesticides. Large amounts are found in fish, particularly those higher up in the food chain. It is also found in various everyday products including cosmetics (hair dye, mascara, and skin creams), dental fillings, fabric softeners, inks used by printers and tattooists, latex, medications, paints, plastics, polishes, solvents and wood preservatives.
Mercury is a cumulative poison. There is no barrier to stop mercury from reaching our brain cells, and it is retained in the pain center of the brain and in the central nervous system. It's presence there can prevent both the normal entry of nutrients into the cells and the removal of wastes from the cells. It can bind to immune cells, distorting them and interfering with normal immune responses. This may be one factor behind many auto-immune disorders.
Significant amounts of mercury in the body can produce arthritis, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, fatigue, gum disease, hair loss, insomnia, memory loss, muscle weakness, and excessive salivation. High levels can interfere with enzyme activity, resulting in blindness and paralysis. The symptoms of mercury poisoning can mimic those of multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
Food and environmental allergies may be directly attributable to mercury poisoning. The EPA has linked exposure to mercury vapor to menstrual disorders and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
Signs that indicate the presence of toxic mercury levels include behavior changes, depression, irritability and hyperactivity. Toxicity may lead to allergic reactions or asthma. They may complain about a metallic taste in their mouth and their teeth may loosen.
According to the World Health Organization, amalgam dental fillings are the prime source of mercury exposure. More than 180 million Americans have mercury amalgam dental fillings in their mouths. When dentists refer to "silver" fillings, they are usually referring to amalgams which are silver in color, but actually contain about 50% (or more) mercury...with about 25% silver and 25% other materials, such as copper, tin and nickel.
While all the metals used in fillings can be toxic, none is as harmful as the mercury. One amalgam filling can release 3 to 17 micrograms of mercury each day. The mercury vapor released from dental amalgams combines with other chemicals in the mouth to create small amounts of methyl mercury which is absorbed through the tissues of the mouth and air passages and transported in the blood to the brain and other body tissues.
Many people have suffered for years from various health problems (e.g. candidiasis, muscle spasms, chronic fatigue and recurring infections) which totally cleared up after they had their amalgam fillings removed.
Mercury is also found in fish, cosmetics, soil, pesticides, film (photos and negatives), paint and plastics.