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Mercury Toxicity

In my practice, when a client complains of irritability, internal shakes or nervousness in general. I usually recommend a '`Tissue Hair Analysis". Suspecting an over accumulation of one of the toxic minerals, I am usually correct when the results are in. Mercury is somewhat similar arsenic, as it has been used medicinally. Physicians who dispensed the silvery medicine were known as quacks. This was a term that developed due to the abbreviating of the name quicksilver. Mercury was found in calomel lotion and was the basis for mercurial diuretics. The most well recognized condition associated with mercury toxicity is "hatters shakes". And in years gone by, workers in hat factories were exposed to mercury in the processing of felt. You may recall the memorable character from "Alice in Wonderland" who was apparently one of those workers, the "Mad-Hatter."

Skin lightening creams were found to contain Mercury. Some of these individuals developed kidney problems as a result of absorption through the organ known as the skin. Fish which is contaminated also contain mercury. Accumulations from such sources readily show up in the hair. Amalgams (emollients) contain mercury and may also contribute to exposure. Mercury is used as a constituent of fungicides, algaecides and insecticides. These have contributed to mercury contamination of foods, particularly grains and cereals. Paper products and lumber contain mercury to inhibit fungus. Families have been reported to develop symptoms of mercury toxicity during the winter months from burning newspaper and building materials in their fireplaces. Mercury vapor is given off during combustion.

Mercury accumulates in tissues such as the kidneys, eyes, brain, thyroid and liver. It is not uncommon to find people with hypothyroidism to have mercury toxicity. Excess mercury has been implicated in the formation of cataracts. Other symptoms might include;

Cerebral palsy and mental retardation have been associated with mercury toxicity in children.

NOTE: Modification of ones' nutritional choices can help in combating the adverse effects of heavy metals. The Tissue Mineral Analysis of zinc to mercury ratio should be at least 200:1, iron to mercury 22:1, selenium to mercury 0.8:1, and sulfur to mercury 28000:1. Zinc, selenium, iron and sulfur are helpful in combating and preventing adverse effects of mercury.