Mercury Menace: How to Dodge this Hidden Health Hazard

Mercury, a toxic heavy metal that poses serious threats to health, is increasingly polluting the environment, and inadequate regulations and safeguards mean that people are often unwittingly exposed to it. Mercury can have devastating effects on the heart, kidneys, liver and immune system, and it particularly poses risks to pregnant women and children.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include headaches, insomnia, neurological problems and tingling in extremities as well as difficulties with speech, hearing, vision and balance. A study conducted in New Zealand also found that mercury exposure was linked to fatigue, memory loss, depression and hair loss.

Limited government protections

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to impose stricter rules regarding mercury emissions, it has so far chosen not to do so, which means that the responsibility to protect ourselves and our families from toxic mercury falls largely on the consumer.

Avoiding exposure

The largest source of mercury exposure is fish. Aquatic organisms convert mercury in the water into an extremely toxic form known as methylmercury, which then enters the food chain and accumulates in fish. Mercury is particularly concentrated in shellfish, in addition to large fish such as tuna, swordfish and sharks. As a result, European regulators have advised pregnant women to eat no more than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of game fish per week. Such a measure would also be beneficial for everyone.

To reduce mercury consumption while still maintaining the nutritional benefits of fish, it’s recommended to eat smaller fish, which have much lower concentrations of mercury. Other sources of mercury exposure include polluted air, drinking water, cosmetics and dental fillings. Compact fluorescent bulbs and high fructose corn syrup are also known to contain relatively high levels of mercury.

Risks of conventional chelation

There are several chelation therapies available to remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body, but they have varying levels of effectiveness, and people often experience side effects. One such therapy is EDTA, a synthetic amino acid used to treat lead poisoning. However, it is associated with a long list of side effects, including reduced blood sugar, headaches, nausea, low blood pressure and organ damage.

Another therapy, DMSA, is used to chelate lead, arsenic and mercury, but it too has side effects such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and rashes. Moreover, these therapies can also remove essential minerals from the body, so it’s vital to choose a detoxification agent carefully.

Natural detoxification

A safer alternative to chelation therapies is the use of modified citrus pectin (MCP), which binds to heavy metals and other toxins in the bloodstream, thus helping the body to eliminate them. MCP was shown to be effective during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster when children in the vicinity were given pectin and consequently experienced fewer cases of thyroid cancer.

Another natural detoxifier is alginates, compounds extracted from brown kelp, which are effective in removing mercury, arsenic, pesticides and even low-level radioactive material. Alginates, like MCP, prevent toxins from being reabsorbed by the body, thus making it easier to remove them entirely.

To promote the detoxification process, it is also recommended to consume sulfured amino acid nutrients and antioxidant-rich foods, such as cilantro, garlic, milk thistle and dandelion. Additionally, a nutrient-dense diet, along with filtered water and regular exercise, can be beneficial in removing mercury and other heavy metals from the body.

In conclusion, while mercury’s impact on human health can be severe, there are methods to reduce our exposure to it and detoxify our bodies. By being mindful of our choices, we can limit the risks that mercury exposure poses.