Page 28 - Spring2018

diagnosed chronic mercury poisoning. cury’s varied and nonspecific symptoms, which may also be intermittent
Mercury depletes nutrients needed for in the early stages. In addition, toxicity testing is not straightforward.
vital functions and dysregulates mineral and Finally, because much exposure to mercury has been iatrogenic—via
neurotransmitter metabolism to a greater extent dental amalgams and vaccine preservatives—mercury research often
than any other common toxicant. Because of is controversial. The unfortunate combination of ubiquitous exposures,
mercury’s powerful antinutrient effects, a nu- iatrogenic involvement, long latencies, broad toxic effects, nonspecific
trient-dense diet may alleviate many symptoms symptoms and potentially irreversible damage renders chronic mercury
of chronic mercury toxicity, but the nutritional toxicity an under-recognized epidemic.
depletion caused by mercury is so pervasive
that affected individuals often also require nu- Sara Russell, PhD, is a nutritional therapy practitioner (NTP), certified
tritional supplementation. At the same time, it GAPS practitioner and Weston A. Price Foundation chapter leader re-
is important to note that many mercury-affected siding in Italy. Sara works via phone and Skype with clients worldwide,
individuals are quite sensitive to a large number specializing in fertility, pregnancy and young children. To learn more
of foods, supplements and medications. None- about Sara’s work, visit buildnurturerestore.com. Kristin Homme, MPP,
theless, many people with a hidden mercury MPH is a retired engineer-turned-science-writer who has authored
burden find relief by following a nutrient-dense several scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
diet, adapted as necessary to avoid gluten and/or
dairy and to limit sugars and starches. This article is a slightly edited version of the original article published
There are many reasons why chronic mer- in the January 2017 Townsend Letter. The authors are grateful to Nori
cury toxicity remains under-recognized by both Hudson, the late Andrew Hall Cutler, Janet Kern, Marco Prina, Rebecca
mainstream and alternative health authorities. Rust Lee and Lana Russell for reading and providing input on various
These include the complicated, incomplete drafts of the original article.
and easily misinterpreted scientific literature
on mercury; mercury’s complex, nonlinear REFERENCES
toxicity; the influence of genetics, epigenetics 1. Mutter J, Naumann J, Sadaghian C, Walach H, Drasch G. Amalgam studies:
and micronutrient status in shaping mercury disregarding basic principles of mercury toxicity. Int J Hyg Environ Health
2004;207:391-7.
susceptibility; the ability of the body’s natural 2. Weiss B, Clarkson TW, Simon W. Silent latency periods in methylmercury poi-
defenses to mask toxicity, creating long latencies soning and in neurodegenerative disease. Environ Health Perspect 2002;110(Sup-
between exposures and symptoms; and mer- pl 5):851-4.

RESOURCES

• INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF ORAL MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY (IAOMT)
IAOMT (IAOMT.org) is a professional dental association that provides fact sheets about mercury and information
about IAOMT’s safe amalgam removal protocol.
• MERCURY FREE BABY
Mercury Free Baby (mercuryfreebaby.org) is a joint project of IAOMT and the Coalition for Mercury-Free Drugs
(CoMeD), which advocates for removal of mercury from all vaccines.
• DENTAL AMALGAM MERCURY SOLUTIONS (DAMS)
DAMS (amalgam.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about unhealthy dental practices.
• AMALGAM ILLNESS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
This 1999 book by Andrew Hall Cutler is still the most complete, science-based self-help book on chronic mercury
toxicity. Amalgam Illness (ISBN 0967616808) is available at noamalgam.com as well as at online bookstores.
• MERCURY POISONING: THE UNDIAGNOSED EPIDEMIC
This 2013 book by David Hammond provides more context and less physiology than Cutler’s book, in a rendition
that some may find more readable.
• “SULPHUR FOODS”
This resource (livingnetwork.co.za/chelationnetwork/food/high-sulfur-sulphur-food-list/) explains why some people
with mercury toxicity cannot tolerate thiols and how to identify thiol intolerance.
• ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP (EWG)
The EWG offers a Skin Deep® searchable online consumer database (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) that provides
information about body care products such as soap, shampoo, sunscreen and cosmetics.

26 Wise Traditions SPRING 2018