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According to the Center for Disease control, long term exposure to mercury vapors can cause,
among other things: "neuropsychiatric effects such as tremor, anxiety, emotional lability,
forgetfulness, insomnia, anorexia, erethism (abnormal irritation, sensitivity, or excitement),
fatigue, and cognitive and motor dysfunction," as well as permanent damage to the kidneys
and nervous system.
Dr.Mark S. Hulet, DDS, who conducted research on mercury in fillings identified 5 categories of
reactions to mercury:
- Neurological: emotional manifestations (depression, suicidal impulses, irritability, inability to cope) and motor symptoms (muscle spasms, facial tics, seizures, multiple sclerosis)
- Cardiovascular problems: nonspecific chest pain, accelerated heartbeat
- Collagen diseases: arthritis, bursitis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosis
- Immune system diseases: compromised immunity
- Allergies: Airborne allergies, food allergies, and ‘universal' reactors."
The effects of mercury poisoning are cumulative over time and there is no known
antidote.
So why do I bring these facts up? The number one source of mercury vapors in the United
States is the burning of coal, particularly in power plants. The Center for Disease Control
now says that 10% of American women of child bearing age have enough mercury in their
systems to cause neurological damage in fetuses. One in ten is bad enough,. But the figures
are a national average. Depending on where you live, the figures could be significantly
higher.
According to an April 14, 2000 article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette,
Pennsylvania ranks #1 among US states in mercury emissions from power plants, with the
Homer City Power Plant ranking #2 of all US power plants in terms of most mercury emissions.
The good news is that EPA has passed the Clean Air Mercury Rule on March 15, 2005 that will
effectively reduce mercury emissions an average 70% (higher in our area because we have the
worst offenders). The bad news is that the power plants don't need to do anything until
2010 and don't have to be fully compliant until 2018.
This means that Indiana residents are on our own to deal with the problem for the next 13
years.
So what can we do to protect ourselves? The human body's natural defense against heavy
metal toxicity is to remove the heavy metals from the system through a process called
chelation. Organic materials ring the mercury, forming a "chelate", isolating it so it
can be removed from the body through the colon and or urinary tract. Naturally, a healthy
body with optimum nutrition, particularly with adequate stores of vitamin C and
glyconutrients, newly discovered carbohydrates that make up the "alphabet" of cellular
communication, will be able to eliminate mercury better that an unhealthy body. In many
cases, a colonic, or colon irrigation, will aid the body by clearing a path of elimination.
Chelation therapy, according to the Center for Disease Control, although controversial
in the medical community, is often indicated for mercury poisoning. The most popular
form of chelation therapy is introducing of a synthetic amino acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA,
either orally, intravenously, or by suppository. This amino acid aids the body by
artificially chelating the mercury. The most accurate test for mercury toxicity is a
blood test, however, hair and urine analysis are thought to be a good reflection of
blood mercury levels. Recently on the market, are do-it-yourself home mercury test kits
that test saliva, hair or urine for mercury levels.
Update: Recently I found a product made from volcanic lava, called zeolite, that is a safe, quick and relatively inexpensive way to eliminate heavy metals.
Chip Engelmann is a Certified Nutritional Counselor and owner of Vitamin Connection, 647 Philadelphia St., Suite 405 Indiana, PA, and past owner of
Vitamin Discount Connection. He has written dozens articles on health and nutrition, and his daily health
reports were heard locally on the radio. His weekly Health-ezine was read by thousands nationally, including
several industry leaders. He can be reached at chip@vitaconnect.com or by calling 724-349-0535.
©: 2005 Chip Engelmann
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