Aluminum Exposure Increases Your Alzheimer’s Risks

No Family History of Dementia

An autopsy showed that Carole Cross suffered from a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s, and also indicated high levels of aluminum in her bodily tissues. There was no history of dementia in the woman’s family.

20,000 Exposed

In 1988, a truck driver accidentally poured 20 tons of aluminum sulphate into a tank containing drinking water. Some 20,000 people in the village of Camelford, including Ms. Cross, were exposed to the chemical for several weeks. Several other inhabitants of Camelford are also reported to be suffering from dementia.

Nature.com April 21, 2006

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:

Related Articles:

Aluminum in Water May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk

Five Common Toxic Metals to Avoid, and Where You?ll Find Them

Mercury isn’t the Only Toxic Item in Vaccines

Mercury isn’t the Only Toxic Item in Vaccines

Aluminum hydroxide, which stimulates immune response, has been used for 80 years in vaccines such as those for hepatitis A and B, and the Pentacel cocktail for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, and meningitis.

Scientists discovered the link after injecting mice with an anthrax vaccine developed for the first Gulf War. After 20 weeks, a fifth of the mice developed a skin allergy, and memory problems increased by 41 times compared to a placebo group. Also, inside the brains of mice, 35 percent of the cells that control movement were destroyed.

U.S. drugmakers are currently testing aluminum hydroxide as an additive in flu shots, even though a recent study of the efficacy of avian flu  vaccine found that it only worked roughly 50 percent of the time, and then only at a dose roughly 12 times what is typically given for a seasonal flu vaccine.

Straight.com March 23, 2006

New England Journal of Medicine March 30, 2006; 354(13): 1343-1351

USA Today March 30, 2006

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:

Related Articles:

Adverse Effects Of Adjuvants In Vaccines

Vaccines and Neurological Damage

Autism and Vaccines

Five Common Toxic Metals to Avoid, and Where You’ll Find Them

Are you feeling tired or irritable? Is your head foggy or are you suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, depression or anemia? These are just a few of the signs that you may be suffering from metal poisoning–a toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body.

Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system.

The effects of these toxic metals can range from subtle symptoms to serious diseases. Since metals build up in your body over time, symptoms are often attributed to other causes and people often don’t realize that they have been affected by metals until it’s too late.

The worst part about heavy metals is that once they build up in your body they can cause irreversible damage. Further damage can be prevented by removing the metals, but this can be a slow, difficult process. Prevention is the best defense when it comes to metal poisoning, and this list of five common toxic metals will give you a heads up to avoiding further exposure to these health-degenerating elements.

Mercury

Mercury is one of the most problematic of all toxic metals because, despite its dangers and known role as a neurotoxin, many people have it implanted in their mouth, injected into their bloodstream, or are consuming it daily in fish.

Dental Amalgams

If you are one of the millions of Americans who has received silver dental fillings, take heed: Mercury makes up about 50 percent of every amalgam dental filling, also known as “silver” fillings. According to the American Dental Association, “Dental amalgam (silver filling) is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which chemically binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness.”

However, consider that while 78 percent of Americans have dental fillings, 95 percent of people with disorders of the central nervous system such as MS, epilepsy, paralysis and migraines also have silver dental fillings. This begs the question, would you want mercury, one of the most powerful neurotoxins on the planet, embedded in your mouth, only inches from your brain? The answer is obvious.

Vapors from amalgams are released continually, and studies have found that those with these fillings can have mercury vapor concentration 10 times higher than people without them. Simple activities such as chewing gum, drinking hot liquids and brushing teeth can increase the release of mercury even more.

If you decide to have your amalgams replaced with a non-toxic material, the most important thing is to find a dentist who can remove your amalgams safely. Any dentist can technically replace your amalgams, but if they don’t employ proper precautions much of the mercury in your fillings will go straight to your brain. Secondly, I would highly recommend getting healthy BEFORE you start on your fillings. Even a good dentist will likely liberate some mercury in the removal process and you want your detoxification mechanisms optimized prior to removal.

Vaccines

Thimerosal, a mercury-containing vaccine preservative, is still widely used in vaccines, including those routinely administered to children. Thimerosal contains close to 50 percent ethyl mercury by weight. Children are particularly sensitive to the mercury as their nervous systems are still rapidly developing. Years ago, health-related organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that thimerosal be removed from vaccines as soon as possible, yet it’s still present in many vaccinations including Hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, acellular pertussis, tetanus and Hib.

Over the past decade, the prevalence of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit disorder have been increasing at epidemic proportions, and many experts believe that mercury from vaccines is at least partly to blame. It is thought that a child’s reduced ability to excrete the mercury–children’s detoxification abilities may vary greatly–may also play a role.

It is possible to get childhood vaccines without thimerosal, since some manufacturers have developed thimerosal-free vaccines, however, you will have to ask your doctor to check the package insert and provide a written guarantee that the vaccine is mercury-free. Even then you will not know for sure, as the package inserts, which are supposed to detail exactly what is in a vaccine, may not even be accurate. You will also want to read the many other reasons why vaccines can do more harm than good.

Fish

Tragically, our oceans are largely contaminated with industrial pollutants like mercury. Ocean and farm-raised fish pick up these toxic chemical residues, which bioconcentrate in their flesh.

The larger the fish, the more problematic because big fish eat smaller fish, thereby getting an even greater dose of accumulated toxins. People who regularly eat fish have higher levels of methylmercury than those who don’t.

Even the conservative Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration have issued warnings about the dangers of mercury in fish, and they are now planning to issue a federal warning to pregnant and nursing women, and even those thinking of getting pregnant to limit their consumption of tuna, along with their previous warnings about other types of fish, due to mercury concerns. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can transfer mercury to their newborns, causing significant neurological problems.

Even if you are a man or not planning to become pregnant, mercury from fish can still accumulate in your body and cause serious problems down the road. If you do eat fish, please be sure to have it lab tested for mercury. We have found a brand of salmon, Vital Choice, that has tested free of mercury time and time again, so this is one option for those of you looking for a safe source of fish. Alternatively, most sardines have little to no mercury since they are so small, and you can also take a high-quality, purified fish oil or cod liver oil to safely receive the health benefits of fish without the mercury.

If you are concerned about mercury poisoning, please review my Mercury Detoxification Protocol for detox information.

Lead

There are many ways that humans can be exposed to lead. Among the major sources are lead-based paint, leaded gasoline, lead-contaminated water, manufacturing of lead batteries, rubber products, glass and other lead-containing products, and lead oxide fumes that result when demolishing industrial buildings. While some of these sources, such as lead-based paint and leaded gasoline, have been discontinued over the past few decades, their effects still show up in the environment. For instance, it is estimated that 64 million homes in the United States still contain lead paint, which can either be ingested in flakes or inhaled as a microscopic dust.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the prevalence of lead toxicity (levels greater than 10 mcg/dL) in U.S. children ranged from 1.5 percent for upper-income white children living in recently built houses in the suburbs, to 36.7 percent for black children residing in large cities. Children are more susceptible to lead absorption than adults, whose lead toxicity is generally related to occupational exposure. It’s estimated that more than 800,000 U.S. workers are exposed to lead through their work.

However, low-level exposure to lead, such as through drinking water or living near an incinerator or toxic dump, is also associated with many negative health effects like brain dysfunction in children, neurobehavioral changes in adults (such as a reduction in cognitive abilities and IQ, and personality changes), hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Aluminum

As with the other elements, aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body, and has been linked to serious illnesses including osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances and memory loss.

Aluminum has also been widely associated with Alzheimer’s disease. People who have died from Alzheimer’s disease have been found to have up to four times the average amount of aluminum accumulated in the brain’s nerve cells.

Antiperspirant

Antiperspirants contain aluminum that is absorbed by your body. It’s best to avoid it all together and use simple soap and water instead. Deodorants aren’t as bad as antiperspirants, but I would also avoid using them unless it was made from some form of baking soda.

Water

Aluminum-contaminated water is another significant concern, as studies have found that Alzheimer’s disease is more common in regions where levels of aluminum in drinking water are highest.

To find out whether you may be at risk from aluminum and other toxins in your water you’ll need to have your water tested by a reliable source. I’ve worked with AquaMD, a top-notch water-testing agency, to create the “Mercola’s Recommended Water Tests“–and to make them affordable compared to other sources–so you can ensure the safety of your tap water today.

Other Common Sources

• Aluminum cookware: Although aluminum pots are probably less problematic than the sources mentioned above, I personally would not use aluminum cookware.
• Aluminum foil
• Over-the-counter drugs: These include many antacids, anti-diarrheal drugs and drugs used for pain and inflammation.
• Several douche brands
• Some baking powders: Most baking powders contain aluminum as an additive, but health food stores carry non-aluminum varieties.
• Refined foods, refined flours, baked goods, processed cheeses, and common table salt

Arsenic

Organic arsenic compounds are mainly used as pesticides, primarily on cotton plants, while inorganic arsenic is primarily used to preserve wood. Once arsenic is released in the environment it cannot be destroyed, and many arsenic compounds dissolve in water.

The primary route of exposure to high levels of arsenic is typically through occupational hazards, or near hazardous waste sites or areas with high natural levels. You can also be exposed by breathing sawdust or burning smoke from arsenic-treated wood. Arsenic has also shown up in drinking water, especially among well water, and long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate.

Exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet, and over the long term can cause darkening of the skin and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, soles, and torso.

In January 2001, the EPA revised the standard allowable level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. Levels must reach this lower amount by 2006. However, some experts believe that an even tougher standard of 3 parts per billion should have been adopted.

It’s a good idea to have your water tested for arsenic, especially if your water comes from a well, to ensure you are not being slowly poisoned.

Cadmium

Cadmium, a naturally occurring metal, can be found in food, water and cigarette smoke. It is a known human carcinogen that appears to act in two ways: it harms DNA directly and disturbs a DNA repair system that helps to prevent cancer.

Like other metals, cadmium stays in the body for a long time and accumulates after long-term exposure to even low levels. Cadmium is released into the air from mining, industry, burning coal and household wastes, where it then binds to soil particles and dissolves in water. Fish, plants, and animals accumulate cadmium from the environment, as such there are low levels of the metal in most all foods with the highest levels found in shellfish, liver, and kidney meats.

People are exposed to cadmium not only through foods but also through drinking contaminated water and breathing cadmium-contaminated air (such as near burning waste, battery manufacturing, metal soldering or welding). Cadmium is also present in cigarette smoke, and smoking doubles the average daily intake.

It is thought that cadmium is carcinogenic, and long-term exposure to low levels can contribute to kidney disease, lung damage and fragile bones. Animal studies also suggest that it may lead to liver disease, high blood pressure, and nerve or brain damage.

Related Articles:

Spirulina for Arsenic Poisoning

Learn How Mercury Is Affecting You and the Ones You Love

Aluminum in Water May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk

Lead Poisoning Risk From Some Candles

Learn How Mercury Is Affecting You and the Ones You Love

Sad because it is so reversible and easily avoidable — IF you know where it is and how it can affect you and your family

Mercury Does Leak Out of Your Fillings

The ADA has said for the past 150 years that the mercury in amalgam is safe and does not leak.

However, they no clinical studies were ever done and the FDA approved amalgam under the “grandfather clause” Subsequent studies have shown this not to be true.

Over ten years ago the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine published an editorial (12 ) calling mercury fillings the chief source of mercury exposure to the US population.

American adults have over a 500 tons of toxic mercury poison stored in their dental fillings.

One of my readers, Phil Ratte, was kind enough to perform the following calculations:

An average filling contains an estimated 800 milligrams of amalgam, with the average middle-aged adult having 8 fillings. The average North American adult has 3.2 grams or mercury (8 fillings x 800 mg per filling x 50% of total amalgam is mercury) of potential mercury vapor to go into the lungs, blood, and brain from dental fillings alone — an average of about three-millionths of a gram a day — this does not include the amount of mercury we take in from vaccinations and from our food!

Earlier in the article is was stated that 78% of American adults have dental fillings. If there are 200 million American adults that would mean that .78 x 200,000,000 would give us 156 million American adults with dental fillings. If the average American adult has 8 fillings with 800 mg. of amalgam that gives us 3.2 grams of mercury (amalgams are 50% mercury) in their fillings per American adult. 3.2 g x 28g/oz x 156 million = 17,828,571 ounces of mercury x 1/16 (ounces per pound) = 1,114,286 pounds of mercury or 557 tons of mercury stored in our mouths

This appears to be a much bigger problem than the mercury from the burning of coal.

If you want to keep updated about this and other important issues please enter your e-mail address and click on the Subscribe button to subscribe to the FREE newsletter immediately

Or click here for more information about the newsletter.

Mercury in “Silver Fillings” Causing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Central Nervous System Disorders

Mercury amalgam dental fillings, commonly referred to as ‘Silver’ dental fillings, contain between 48 & 55 % mercury.

While the American Dental Association originally denied that mercury from these fillings leaked vapor, which is absorbed into the bodies of persons having this dental filling material, in recent years, facing numerous studies to the contrary, have had to concede, that ’silver fillings’, do leak mercury vapor, one of the most toxic substances known to man.

The metallic mercury used by dentists to manufacture dental amalgam is shipped as a hazardous material to the dental office. When amalgams are removed, for whatever reason, they are treated as hazardous waste and are required to be disposed of in accordance with federal OSHA regulations and it is inconceivable that the mouth could be considered a safe storage container for this toxic material.

A multi-million dollar U.S. Government study conducted between 1988 and 1994 could hold the key to producing epidemiological data linking dental fillings to a myriad of illnesses.

This new information, comes straight from the National Institute of Health, the NHANES III Study (National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey), a study that according to the mission statement of National Center for Health Sciences “is to provide statistical information that will guide the actions and policies to improve health of the American people. As the Nation’s principal health statistics agency, NCHS leads the way with accurate, relevant, and timely data.”

A recent statistical analysis of this data was done to see if there were any links to dental fillings and adverse health conditions.

Their initial figures revealed that while 78% of the American public have dental fillings, 95% of the people with International Classification of Disease Codes 340-349: “Disorders of the Central Nervous System”, which include MS, Epilepsy, Paralysis and Migraines, have dental fillings.

See also:

Mercury Reaches Brain Directly Through Nerves

References

1. Hahn LJ, Kloiber R, Leininger RW, Vimy MJ, Lorscheider FL. Whole-body imaging of the distribution of mercury released from dental fillings into monkey tissues. FASEB J. 1990 Nov;4(14):3256-60.

2. Lorscheider FL, Vimy MJ. Daily dose estimates of mercury from dental amalgams. J Dent Res. 1991 Mar;70(3):233-7.

3. Leong CC, Syed NI, Lorscheider FL. Retrograde degeneration of neurite membrane structural integrity of nerve growth cones following in vitro exposure to mercury. Neuroreport. 2001 Mar 26;12(4):733-7.

4. Lorscheider F, Vimy M. Mercury and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000 Mar 1;35(3):819-20.

5. Pendergrass JC, Haley BE, Vimy MJ, Winfield SA, Lorscheider FL. Mercury vapor inhalation inhibits binding of GTP to tubulin in rat brain: similarity to a molecular lesion in Alzheimer diseased brain. Neurotoxicology. 1997;18(2):315-24.

6. Vimy MJ, Hooper DE, King WW, Lorscheider FL. Mercury from maternal “silver” tooth fillings in sheep and human breast milk. A source of neonatal exposure. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1997 Feb;56(2):143-52.

7. Lorscheider FL, Vimy MJ, Summers AO. Mercury exposure from “silver” tooth fillings: emerging evidence questions a traditional dental paradigm. FASEB J. 1995 Apr;9(7):504-8.

8. Lorscheider FL, Vimy MJ, Summers AO, Zwiers H. The dental amalgam mercury controversy — inorganic mercury and the CNS; genetic linkage of mercury and antibiotic resistances in intestinal bacteria. Toxicology. 1995 Mar 31;97(1-3):19-22.

9. Lorscheider FL, Vimy MJ. Evaluation of the safety issue of mercury release from dental fillings. FASEB J. 1993 Dec;7(15):1432-3.

10. Goering PL, Galloway WD, Clarkson TW, Lorscheider FL, Berlin M, Rowland AS. Toxicity assessment of mercury vapor from dental amalgams. Fundam Appl Toxicol. 1992 Oct;19(3):319-29.

11. Clarkson TW. Mercury — an element of mystery. N Engl J Med. 1990 Oct 18;323(16):1137-9.

12. Salonen JT, Nyyssonen K, Salonen R. Fish intake and the risk of coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 1995 Oct 5;333(14):937;

Mercury Reaches Brain Directly Through Nerves

Environmental Science and Technology October 1, 1999;33.

COMMENT: It is great to see this study hit the peer-reviewed literature but the investigators are terribly confused as they are not the first to report this finding. Dr. Klinghardt has been teaching this in his courses for well over one decade. He and I have just completed a 25 paper with over 125 references on mercury detoxification. It is likely the most definitive text in the world on the subject. I am very excited about completing this paper as we have been working on it for over one year. I will be submitting a 5,000-word abstract of the article to Lancet for publication. As soon as it is accepted for publication, I will publish the full article in my newsletter. It will also appear in several parts in the Townsend Letter.

Chewing Gum Releases Mercury From Dental Fillings

The study was undertaken by the Sahlgrenska university hospital in Gothenburg, west Sweden.

“In our study we found out that people who chewed gum for at least five hours per day had significantly higher mercury levels in their urine and blood,” medical researcher Gerd Saellsten was quoted as saying.

The test group included 17 people with at least five amalgam fillings who chewed gum an average of five hours per day, and consumed seven pieces of gum.

The test group was compared with a control group of equal size comprising people with the same number of fillings, but who chewed gum only 30 minutes per week on average.

A comparison of quicksilver levels between the two groups yielded clear differences.

The heavy gum chewers had twice the amount of mercury in their blood and three times the level in their urine and breath exhalation than did the infrequent chewers.

The mercury levels rose in proportion to the number of amalgamfillings the subjects had, the study showed.

Mercury damages the following in humans:

• brain
• central nervous system
• kidneys

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:

Obviously, newspaper studies are not the top of the line peer-reviewed journals, but I thought it would be helpful to include this story to remind those of you who may not be familiar with this issue.

The problem is not just with chewing gum. Although, chewing gum is one of the most foolish things one can do nutritionally due to reasons totally unrelated to mercury.

There are nerves which connect the jaw to the stomach and when one chews the pancreas is stimulated to release digestive enzymes to aid in the digestion process. When one chews gum all day long these enzymes are simply wasted and one’s ability to absorb food is compromised. Additionally, the chewing can worsen and TMJ problems that many people in our culture have due to the terrible OB paradigm in traditional medicine.

Back to mercury though, there are nifty meters one can use that are very sensitive to mercury vapors. Many biological dentists have these devices and can actually show you the mercury that is released when you chew anything if you still have amalgams in your mouth.

Don’t let your traditional dentist fool you. Mercury is a poison and it has absolutely no health reason to be in your mouth. None! It is an excellent restoration material however, it is relatively inexpensive and lasts for decades. This is far better than many of the composite alternatives.

BUT, mercury will slowly kill you, so is it worthy it? I think not, but everyone gets their own choice. I did not wake up and smell the coffee burning until five years ago when I had all my amalgams replaced with composites.

Don’t make the mistake I made though. I started the process ten years ago and had half of my amalgams replaced with gold crowns. Well, these gold crowns formed a battery in my mouth and increased the release of mercury by over 200%! You really do not want any metals in your mouth for this reason. The battery effect (electrogalvanism.

Even if you don’t have any amalgam fillings the electricity created by metals in your mouth will adversely affect your brain’s ability to function optimally.

Also ONLY see a dentist who is properly trained in removing mercury fillings. If they don’t appreciate mercury toxicity they will not implement special precautions, like room air to you by nasal cannula, rubber dams and high pressure suction to suck out the mercury vapors that are released by drilling.

The last thing you want is mercury in your brain as a result of taking your fillings out. And that is exactly where it will go, to your brain. Mercury vapor is HIGHLY permeable and it will go through your skull bone like a hot knife through butter. It won’t even blink twice. And it will stay there firmly bound to sulfur proteins in your brain causing damage to the microtubules that nourish your brain cells.

Related Articles:

Why Are Mercury Fillings Still Legal?

Look, No Fillings

Mercury reaches brain directly through nerves

Mercury Elimination with DMSA

Why are Mercury Fillings Still Legal? Just Look at How Dow Corning Proposed

COMMENT: There are only a few hundred thousand women who are involved in this silicone breast implant litigation and the settlement is in the billions of dollars. I was actually quite surprised to see this as I thought Dow had declared bankruptcy to avoid the suite. In six countries in Europe, it is illegal to put in silver amalgam (mercury) fillings. If you are a dentist and put that in someone’s mouth you go to jail. It is illegal to put this material in a pregnant woman in California and it was almost outlawed in Canada last year. I believe the main reason it is still legal in this country is the enormous amount of litigation that would result if the public ever became fully informed of the truth of mercury’s toxicity. There are probably over 200 MILLION people who could file claims, not 200 THOUSAND. The claims would be in the trillions of dollars and most likely shut down dentistry.

Prenatal Mercury Exposure Raises Blood Pressure

Epidemiology   July 1999;10:370-375

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:

Here is yet another reason to make sure you are very careful with ìsilverî fillings, which are actually 50% mercury. Please, never have them put in you or your family. If you already have them put in, DO NOT have them removed by a dentist who does not have proper training to remove them. A general guideline to follow is that if your dentist still puts in ìsilverî fillings, it would be better to find someone to remove them as he/she does not believe that they are dangerous. It would also be wise to avoid having any work done on your fillings if you are pregnant as that would be to great a risk to your baby. If you are in the Chicago area, I recommend three dentists who have exceptional training and have fair prices for their services. On the south side in Downer Grove is Dr. Janet Stopka and Dr. Basciano 630-629-6299.  The north side has Dr. Joel Sanders in Highland Park at 847-432-6501.  If you are in the Madison, Wisconsin, area Dr. John Schacheral is the dentist to see.  Dr. Doug Cook in northern Wisconsin is also one of the top dentists around and he has done most of my work. His number is 920-842-2083.  I am certain many of you are not near these dentists. But if you need a good dentist in your area, you can contact one of the above offices and they might be able to direct you to someone good in your area.