Page 36 - Summer2008

Although the mental and physical problems from metal toxicity substitutions will allow a certain degree of vital
have escalated in recent years, our very language tacitly acknowledges enzyme function, but in time lead to physiologi-
the historic toxicity of certain metals: “Mad as a hatter” from the Civil- cal dysfunction. 4,5
War-era’s crazed use of mercury sizing in hat manufacture, “gold fever” Sadly, it no longer takes decades or even
from the murderous greed of early prospectors, “lead poisoning” as black years to become toxic. Babies are born toxic be-
humor for “getting shot,” and, more recently, “get-the-lead-out” exhorta- cause mercury and other metals pass through the
tions from trainers who would have us exercise long and hard in order to placenta from toxic mothers. The Environmental
sweat out toxins and melt excess fat. Working Group reports that blood samples taken
The medical establishment currently recognizes only acute metal from the umbilical blood of newborns show an
toxicity, the type that leads to painful, sudden and severe symptoms, average of 287 toxins including mercury,  re
including cramping, nausea, vomiting, sweating, headaches, breathing retardants, pesticides and Te on chemicals. This

difculties, convulsions, and impaired cognitive, motor and language is a primary reason why babies come into this
skills. With acute metal toxicity, the effect of consumption, inhalation, world with compromised digestive and immune
skin contact and other exposure is clear. Acute toxicities occur most often systems. The National Academy of Sciences
on job sites when workers are exposed to hazardous substances, though (NAS) estimates that over 60,000 US children
accidents occur on the home front too. Pesticide, herbicide and chemical are born each year at risk for life-long problems
fertilizer spills at homes and schools, for example, are some of the common because of dangerous blood levels of mercury in
reasons why previously healthy people join the ranks of the chemically their mothers. 6
sensitive and environmentally ill. Vaccinations containing mercury and
In 1986 Congress established the Agency for Toxic Substances and aluminum then add to the burden, often sending
Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the Department of Health and Human Ser- an already vulnerable child over the edge into
vices in order to deal with effects of hazardous environmental substances autism, ADD/ADHD, life-threatening aller-
on human health. In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection gies and autoimmune diseases. Thimerosal has
Agency, the ATSDR compiles priority lists of hazardous substances each mostly been removed from children’s vaccines.
year. Out of 275 substances on the 2007 list, arsenic is number one, lead However, old batches are still given to children,
two, mercury three and cadmium seven. Of these fearful four, mercury if not in the US then abroad. As for new batches,
1
is the most studied, but all four have similar adverse effects on the body. even the FDA admits that they may contain trace
amounts.
7,8
CHRONIC EXPOSURE The Weston A. Price Foundation has
Victims of acute metal toxicity make the six o’clock news, but far educated parents about how to optimize their
more people suffer adverse effects from low-level, chronic exposure to nutrition prior to conception. But unless parents
multiple metals. Because the symptoms may develop over a period of also detoxify themselves of toxic metals before
many years and are often interchangeable with other signs of poor health, conception, this trend will not reverse, and we
sufferers rarely recognize slowly accumulating mercury and other metals will continue to see the degeneration of our
as the culprits. Thus, although nearly everyone on the planet carries some children’s health.
toxic load, not everyone shows obvious and distinguishing ill effects. After
all, fatigue, digestive distress, aching joints and depression, to name just a A LITANY OF ADVERSE EFFECTS
few everyday complaints, are considered “normal” in our increasingly sick Evidence that toxic metals cause, contrib-
and aging society. Almost all chronically sick patients, regardless of their ute to or accelerate the development of chronic

specic symptoms or diagnoses, have sustained signicant exposure to illness is widely available in the scienti c lit-

toxic metals. Mercury toxicity should be assumed in anyone who has—or erature. Metal toxicity adds to oxidative stress,
has had—amalgam llings or root canals and who also chews. Aluminum, inhibits antioxidant production and utilization,

2
cadmium, lead, cobalt and arsenic and other metals are rarely absent from blocks enzyme functions and poisons sulfur
such patients. biochemistry, adversely affecting the function
3
Dose, duration, manner of exposure, biochemical individuality, of every cell, tissue, organ and system in the
genetic propensity, diet quality and stress levels combine to determine the body. It would be wrong to blame the epidemics
degree of ill effects. Good nutrition is key because a deciency of vital of fatigue, depression, anxiety, food and drug

metals will lead to their replacement by toxic metals in enzyme binding addictions, insulin resistance, diabetes, learning
sites. Lead will replace calcium, for example, cadmium will replace zinc, disabilities, allergies, asthma, digestive distress,
and aluminum and nickel will replace magnesium and manganese. These adrenal gland exhaustion, hormonal imbalances,
34 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2008