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Many symptoms of mercury toxicity are unpopular topic. Thus, the public may receive Much
vague, resembling premature cellular aging. mixed messages from health authorities and agen- mercury
On the other hand, some symptoms are more cies about the risks of routine mercury exposures,
distinct, a case in point being erethism. The depending on whether the exposure involves exposure is
term erethism (or reddening), which derives dentistry, seafood consumption or vaccines. iatrogenic—
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from a person’s tendency to blush, covers a For most people, the major sources of mer- caused by
constellation of personality traits including ti- cury exposure (Table 1) are elemental mercury
midity, diffidence, contentiousness, insecurity, vapor from dental amalgams and methylmer- health care
bluntness, rigidity, excitability and hypersensi- cury (an organic mercury compound) from providers or
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tivity to criticism and to sensory stimulation. dietary fish. Ethylmercury (another organic institutions—
Considering mercury’s subtle but reproducible mercury compound) in certain thimerosal-
effects on emotions, it is likely that a number containing vaccines provides smaller amounts, making it an
of problems blamed on character, personality but these can be highly toxic during the vulner- unpopular
or stress may in fact be caused or compounded able windows of gestation and early childhood. topic.
by low-level mercury toxicity. All three forms of mercury are easily
absorbed and readily distributed throughout
WIDESPREAD EXPOSURE the body. Being lipophilic (having an affinity
AND TOXICITY for lipids), they leave the bloodstream quickly,
Health authorities are unlikely to provide passing through biological membranes and
useful guidance on mercury risks, for several concentrating in cells, including brain cells.
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reasons. First, mercury is both technically and Mercury is especially drawn to high-sulfur
politically difficult to study; thus, scientific organelles (specialized cell structures) such
conclusions about some risks remain couched as mitochondria. Once inside a cell, mercury
in uncertainty. Second, mercury’s effects are (chemical symbol Hg) is soon oxidized to Hg2+,
non-specific and multifactorial. Finally, much which, as a hydrophilic (water-loving) and li-
exposure is iatrogenic—caused by health pophobic form of mercury, cannot easily pass
care providers or institutions—making it an through biological membranes. This form of

ARTICLE SUMMARY
• The chronic effects of cumulative, low-dose mercury exposure are under-recognized by both mainstream and alter-
native health authorities and consequently by the public. Mercury can cause or contribute to most chronic illnesses,
including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, adrenal
and thyroid problems, autoimmunity, digestive disorders, allergies, chemical sensitivities, mental illness, sleep disorders
and chronic infections such as Lyme and Candida. Mercury toxicity should be suspected in individuals experiencing
multiple health problems.
• Diagnosis of chronic mercury toxicity is often difficult because the body’s natural defenses may mask or delay symp-
toms. Natural defenses are a function of genetic susceptibility, epigenetic factors, micronutrient status and allostatic
load (cumulative wear and tear on the body). Furthermore, individuals who retain mercury may counterintuitively
show low levels in blood, urine and hair.
• The developmental window from conception through early childhood is one of extreme vulnerability to mercury.
Mercury is an epigenetic toxicant (affecting future gene expression) as well as a neurotoxicant. Damage may be
permanent; therefore, prevention is key.
• For most people, mercury is the most significant toxicant in the body. By promoting oxidative stress and depleting
antioxidant defenses including the glutathione system, mercury impairs the body’s response to toxicants in general—
including to mercury itself.
• Mercury toxicity creates a need for extra nutrition, both to repair damage and to provide ample enzyme cofactors,
which can push blocked enzymes. Carbohydrate intolerance can be a symptom of mercury toxicity, and fat can be
a preferred fuel. Many people with chronic mercury toxicity have found a nutrient-dense diet to be a useful starting
point for symptom relief. Individualized supplementation may also be helpful to overcome the extreme nutritional
depletion and unnatural toxic state.

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