DAMS Fact Sheets on Mercury Exposure from Amalgam and Adverse Health Effects DAMS Intl.
DAMS(Dental
Amalgam Mercury Solutions) is
a patient support group providing information to mercury toxic
individuals on testing, treatment options, list of specially trained
dentists and doctors,
etc. (www.dams.cc
ph:651-644-4572;
dams@usfamily.net
) We have provided information to
many thousands of poisoned people, most
of whose health improves significantly with proper treatment after
reducing mercury exposure. We have documentation on thousands of such
patients.
The information on this Florida Dams Chapter web page contains over 3000 peer-reviewed medical study references documenting high exposures from amalgam and mechanisms of causality for 30 chronic conditions. It has been summarized into 23 DAMS Fact Sheets for documenting the high exposures and adverse effects due to mercury from amalgam (and other mercury sources). They are available to anyone for use in educating the public, Media, Legislators, Officials, Dental Staff, etc. They can be downloaded or copied from the web site.(www.flcv.com/dams )
FS1 Mercury Exposure Levels from Amalgam (click on FS number)
Documents that amalgam is the number one source of mercury (both inorganic and methyl)in most people with mercury amalgam fillings, and that daily exposures commonly exceed federal Gov't guidelines for mercury exposure. It also documents the reasons for the high exposure from amalgam- the high volatility of mercury which vaporizes constantly to gas at room temperature and oral galvanism of mixed metals in the mouth.
FS2 Environmental Effects of Mercury from Amalgam
Documents that the environmental effects of amalgam are affecting everyone since those with amalgam fillings have high levels of daily excretion(as much as 100 ug/day) that are going into sewers and causing high levels of mercury in municipal sewer plants and into rivers and lakes, resulting in enough mercury in waterways to cause levels in fish to be over Gov't health standards for mercury in fish. Over 33% of all U.S. lakes have fish consumption warnings, 15% of all U.S. river miles, 90% of Atlantic coastal miles, and 100% of all Gulf coastal miles. Over 50% of Florida's rivers and lakes have fish consumption warnings. Gulf Coast salt water fish are even more heavily affected and many species have warnings. Dental amalgam is the largest source of mercury in sewer plants and the largest source of mercury in sewer sludge, most of which has dangerous levels of mercury responsible for mercury in plants and crops in landspread areas and high levels in the atmosphere after soil bacteria methylate the mercury to methyl mercury which is outgased mostly when the sun shines.
FS3 Chronic Health Problems caused by Mercury from Amalgam
Documents
that mercury from
amalgam is a cause or major factor in over 30 chronic health
conditions, and
summarizes the mechanisms of causality, as well as documenting
60,000 clinical cases of recovery or significant improvement after
amalgam replacement.
FS4 Childhood Neurological and Behavior Problems related to Mercury
Documents that mercury and other toxic metals are the most common cause of childhood neurological conditions such as autism, ADD, learning disabilities, etc. and that toxic metal exposures are also a primary cause or factor in behavioral problems, juvenile delinquency, violence, criminality, and serial killers. A National Academy of Sciences Report indicates 50% of U.S. pregnancies in the 1990s resulted in birth defects or significant developmental conditions, and studies document that the majority were due to prenatal and neonatal toxic exposures.
FS5 State Bills involving Amalgam
Several
states have recently passed legislation restricting use of amalgam or
providing that dentists who use amalgam must warn the patients
that amalgam contains mercury which
is known to have harmful health effects.
FS6 Amalgam Effects on Dentists and Dental Staff
Documents
that dentists and
dental staff in offices that use amalgam get high levels of
occupational exposure to mercury, and significant adverse health
effects are common.
Adverse effects include neurological effects, depression and mood
problems, high incidence of allergies, reproductive effects. (over
100 medical study references)
FS7 Oral Effects of Dental Amalgam
Medical Studies Document Widespread Common Adverse Oral Effects of Dental Amalgam Fillings and High Levels of Accumulation of Mercury in Gums, Oral Mucosa, Jaw Bone, Brain, and Central Nervous System. Oral effects include gingivitis, halitosis, oral lichen planus, amalgam tattoos, oral cancers, inflamation of gums and oral mucosa, sinusitis, oral galvanism, pain, TMJ, metal mouth, etc., plus systemic effects on brain and CNS.
(Over 100 medical study references and thousands of documented case histories)
FS8
Endocrine Effects of Mercury from Amalgam
Widespread Adverse Health, Cognitive, and Fertility Effects from Mercury's Endocrine Disrupting Hormonal Effects Found to Be Affecting Millions. Some of the endocrine related conditions/symptoms found to be commonly caused by these hormonal effects in infants and children include widespread neuropsychiatric conditions and developmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, mood disorders, mental retardation, spontaneous abortions, eczema, asthma, systemic allergies, behavioral problems, and juvenile delinquency.
The endocrine related conditions/symptoms found to be commonly caused by mercury in adults include hypothyroidism, chills, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression and mood disorders, anxiety, anger, memory loss, balance problems, infertility, endometriitis, menstrual disorders, low sperm counts, diabetes, etc. (over 1000 medical study references reviewed)
FS9
Mercury connection to chronic neurological and autoimmune conditions
Documents the mercury connection to chronic health conditions- MS, ALS, Lupus, CFS, FM, RA, Parkinson's, Alzheimers, Depression, Periodontal Conditions, ADD, Autism, Eczema, Psoriasis, etc. Papers documenting the common exposures and mechanism of causality of mercury to these conditions. Over 1000 peer-reviewed medical studies referenced and thousands of clinical cases of recovery or significant improvement after mercury detox, as documented by doctors.
FS10 Susceptibility factors in mercury toxicity effects
Susceptibility factors in mercury toxicity: immune reactivity, detoxification system function, enzymatic blockages, synergistic exposures.
FS11 Health Effects related to Root Canal Teeth and Cavitations
In addition to mercury, other oral or dental related conditions have been found to be major factors in chronic degenerative health conditions- including root-canaled teeth, cavitations, and gingivitis. Oral infections such as these have been found to have common systemic effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems, as well as major neurological effects. Conditions that these are commonly a factor in include Rheumatoid arthritis, ALS, MS, Parkinson's, CFS, Fybromyalgia, cancer, etc. Many have recovered or significantly improved from these conditions after treatment. New tests are available to diagnose infections in root canaled teeth and cavitations, which are mostly improperly done or improperly healed tooth extraction sites.
Over 50% of root canaled teeth and wisdom tooth extraction sites have been found to have infection or necrosis of the jaw bone.
FS12 Autoimmune conditions for which mercury is cause or factor
Most autoimmune conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Lupus (SLE), Thyroiditis, etc. are primarily caused by mercury from dental amalgam, and replacement of dental amalgam brings about cure or significant improvement in the majority of cases. Results of lymphocyte reactivity measured with MELISA indicate that in vitro reactivity after the replacement of dental amalgam commonly decreases significantly to inorganic mercury, silver, organic mercury and lead.
FS13
Mercury Vapor Effects at lower levels of
exposure than other mercury forms
Mercury Vapor Causes Neurological Developmental and Behavioral Effects at Lower Levels than Other Forms of Mercury.
FS14
Mercury connection to Allergies and
Immune Reactive Conditions
The Mercury Connection to Allergies and Immune Reactive Conditions: allergies, asthma, eczema, diabetes, autism, etc. in children and chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia, lupus, psoriasis, oral lichen planus, multiple sclerosis in adults. Millions are immune reactive to mercury and very high percentages of people with chronic conditions such as those listed.
FS15
EMF Effects: the Amalgam Connection
Health Effects of EMF(Electromagnetic Fields): the Mercury Connection
Evidence for Adverse Health Effects from electromagnetic fields including
Cancer, other immune and chronic neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's,
Depresssion,etc. Evidence that a significant mechanism of causality is EMF causing significant increases in mercury release and exposure from amalgam dental fillings.
FS16
Cardiovascular and Neurological conditions affected by mercury from
amalgam
Large numbers of peer-reviewed medical studies and clinical tests document common high mercury exposures from dental amalgam fillings and fish, and common significant adverse neurological and cardiovascular effects caused by such mercury exposure. ***************************************************************
FS17. Blood tests are not reliable measure of mercury body burden or toxicity
Blood tests not reliable indicator of mercury body burden or mercury toxicity. Better tests are available.
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FS18. The Metabolic Effects of Mercury Exposure
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FS19. Epilepsy: the mercury connection and nutritional treatment
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FS20. Amalgam is the largest source of exposure of both inorganic and organic mercury in most people.
FS21 Review: Children’s Amalgam Studies
B. Windham, Research Director and President, DAMS International,
Comments on Children’s Amalgam Study one:
"Neurological and Renal Effects of Dental Amalgam in Children", D.C. Bellinger et al, JAMA, April 10, 2006
and Preliminary Comments on “Neurobehavioral Effects of Dental Amalgam in Children”, T. A. De Rouen, et al, JAMA, April 19, 2006
FS22 Oral Effects of Dental Amalgam
Adverse Health Effects from Accumulation of High Levels of Mercury from Dental Amalgam Fillings in the Gums, Oral Mucosa, and other parts of the body. The high levels of mercury that accumulates in the mouth and other parts of the body of those with amalgam fillings commonly cause gum inflammation, metallic taste, tender teeth, mouth sores and pre-cancers, bad breath, bleeding gums, throat irritation, and serious autoimmune conditions such as oral lichen planus, stomatitis, eczema, multiple sclerosis(MS), lupus, thyroiditis, etc., caused by proliferation of inflammatory cytokines.
FS23. Mercury : One of the most common causes of chronic health problems and a major worldwide environmental and health problem
FS24. Mercury and food intolerances/leaky gut/etc.
Mercury and food intolerances: common causes of chronic conditions related to leaky gut and intestinal dysfunction such as ulcerative colitis, IBS, Chron’s, eczema, psoriasis, food allergies, arthritis, ADHD, and autoimmune disease; and treatments that improve these conditions.
FS25. Documentation of the unstable nature of mercury and amalgam, which causes high mercury exposure levels. www.flcv.com/AmalgamP.html
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To Sign International Petition that calls for an IMMEDIATE WORLDWIDE BAN on the use of Amalgam Dental Fillings (50% Mercury) in Human Beings go to:
www.petitiononline.com/mercury/
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DAMS Membership($25, low income $15) Members receive information packet, DAMS Newsletters, access to other DAMS information, etc. (800-311-6265)
DAMS, Inc.; P.O. Box 7249 . Minneapolis, MN 55407-0249, 800-311-6265
Medical
Test Discussion:
Hair element test is a good general test but not as good as some others for some specific purposes. Hair is a more reliable indicator of organic mercury than inorganic and is not accurate for those with blood allele types that don’t excrete mercury well, so if you are interested in documenting daily exposure level from fillings its not the best. But the distribution of essential minerals gives a good indication of mercury toxicity, since mercury affects cell membrane permeability and causes common essential mineral imbalance patterns. The test also gives indication of exposure levels to other toxic metals that many are exposed to- lead, arsenic, antimony, cadmium, nickel, etc. It also provides important information on essential mineral deficiencies and imbalances.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/files/HOW_TO_hair_test
Stool
test(Doctors
Data Lab, inquiries@doctorsdata.com) and saliva
test better for
daily exposure IMO. Hair level is also affected by your free thiol
level and blood allele type.
If you have several amalgam fillings or gold crowns(likely over amalgam) you almost surely get more daily exposure than gov't guidelines and enough to make your problems worse. So testing in this case is just documentation to convince someone else you have a problem. A challenge test using a chelator such as DMSA (obtainable through www.vrp.com) is a better test for body burden than other available tests but nutritional support and safe protocols need to be followed. Urine mercury tests are more reliable than blood, due to mercury extremely short half life in blood. But urine mostly measures short term exposure also- not body burden unless a chelator is used. www.doctorsdata.com www.bodybalance.com www.vrp.com www.gdx.net/
A
fractionated
porphyrin test is a
good general test for diagnosis and treatment benefits. Gives
indication of whether you have toxics causing metabolic damage, what
level, and likely cause based on pattern of which porphyrins are
high- test is sensitive to light, temp, shaking so care with sample
needed by you and lab. Most major labs do the test but not all have
accurate protocols and results. Perhaps the most accurate U.S. lab
test is MetaMetrix in Atlanta.
For many common problems, the Genova Lab comprehensive liver detox test is extremely useful for diagnosis and treatment, whatever the cause of your toxicity problems. Gives indication of level of exposure to free radicals (which toxics cause) and how well your detox system is working and info on whether some of your basic enzymatic metabolic processes might be blocked or damaged.
www.gdx.net/ site also a source of good general information on causes and cures of common health problems
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Tests for mercury and other toxic exposures
A hair element test is a good screening test for level of toxic metal exposures people
have, along with essential mineral imbalances and deficiencies- which have significant effects on health. Hair tests are inexpensive and easy, providing useful information and should be done at least every 2 or 3 years. Hair tests can be obtained through your doctor from Doctors Data Lab (www.doctorsdata.com ) or Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab(www.gdx.net ); or Great Plains Laboratory, www.greatplainslaboratory.com/test19.html
or without a doctor from Vitamin Research Products(www.vrp.com ) or
an affiliate of Genova Lab (www.bodybalance.com ). 888-891-3061 Body Balance 63 Zillicoa Street Asheville, N.C. 28801
Address for Genova Lab is 18-A Regent Park Blvd. Asheville NC 28806.
Phone is 704-253-0621 & 1-800-522-4762
For those with chronic conditions, Genova has a very useful compilation of research on causality and treatment of most chronic conditions at their web site www.gdx.net –
look for (by condition) and search site news. Other functional tests such as comprehensive liver detox test are available through your doctor,
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Doctors Data Lab 800-323-2784 Inquiries@doctorsdata.com www.doctorsdata.com
for hair toxic metals screen or stool toxic metals screen(through your doctor)
(they
send kit) stool test is good test of daily exposure levels to toxic
metals
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The Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment provides a thorough analysis of thyroid secretion and metabolism, including peripheral thyroid conversion and thyroid autoimmunity. By measuring hypersensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free serum thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyroine (fT3), Reverse T3 (rT3), anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), this test may provide important clinical clues for better treating patients with chroinic fatigue, treatment-resistant fibromyalgia or treatment-resistant depression.. Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab www.gdx.net
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Scientific Nutrition for Autism and PDD Info on autism causes
http://kirkmanlabs.com/index.htm
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Brainchild Nutritionals www.brainchildnutritionals.com Liquid vitamin/supplements
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Advanced Metallothionein (MT) Profile (AMP) Test with direct measurement of metallothionein. Great Plains Laboratory www.greatplainslaboratory.com/test19.html
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MetaMetrix Labs(http:// www.metametrix.com ) has useful hair test,
Amino acid panel, organic acid panel, etc.
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For testing for major sources of immune reactivity causing immune and autoimmune conditions like CFS, FM, ALS, MS, Lupus, rheumetoid arthritis, etc.
MELISA LABS (blood immune reactivity tests) www.melisa.org (and King James Laboratory)
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test for causes of immune condtions:
Immunosciences Lab (immune reactivity,allergies, mycoplasma- see research pages), http://www.immuno-sci-lab.com/test_alp.html
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Perlmutter Clinic, Naples, Fl has a lot of success dealing with chronic degenerative
neurological conditions like MS, Parkinson's, ALS, Alzheimer's, Cystic Fibrosis, etc. The past Pres. Of AMA says it's the best in the country.
BrainRecovery.com, the book, by David Perlmutter MD; Perlmutter Health Center, Naples, Florida, http://www.perlhealth.com/about.htm
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Many or most chronic autoimmune conditions such as CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, ALS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parkinson's, etc. are related to immune reactivity. It is possible to determine what those with these conditions are immune reactive to through a standard blood lymphocyte immune reactivity test such as www.melisa.org
After determining cause and reducing exposure and treatment, most with these conditions show significant improvement.
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Those with chronic conditions also usually have other infections such as mycoplasma, bacterial, viral, or parasites. Toxic exposures weaken the immune system and facilitate
infectious conditions. These should be tested for and treated. A clinic and lab with experience at testing and treating mycoplasma is Dr. Garth Nicholson www.immed.org
another California clinic is M.M. Van Benschoten and Associates, Reseda, Calif. Clinic; http://www.mmvbs.com/
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There is a way to order just about any test you want without your doctor's order. Go to www.healthchoice.net The company is called Direct Laboratory Services and they make it possible for anyone to get just about any test they want. www.directlabs.com/
Direct
Labratory Services will do urine or blood tests for you.
1-800-908-0000
The urine test would be processed through DDI, and costs $149 (I think this is called a "toxic elements test" but my notes are incomplete.) When this came up before, people said they thought the price throught Direct Lab Svcs was quite inflated. For anyone interested, the way they do this is they have a doctor who requests the tests for you.
They can also do a fecal test for heavy metals for $155, or a urine test for mercury ONLY for $86.
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Home Saliva test for mercury (not as accurate as test through a doctor) http://heavymetalstest.com/mercurytest.php
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Bremen Lab in Germany will test saliva and spinal fluid:
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http://www.accuchemlabs.com/
A good test for non-metal toxins is done by Accu-Chem Labs in Texas (at least the best test I've been able to find for the least amount of money). The panels that seem most appropriate for our children are Panels 1, 4A, and 6.
AAL does some very useful tests in other areas with applications to our children, for example, the urinary polypeptides with IAG. (Amy (Md) )
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Treatment options:
the most important thing is to determine toxic exposures and eliminate or reduce the exposure. If mercury from amalgam is a problem, it is extremely important to get work done by a specially trained dentist who uses protective equipment to reduce exposure to patient and staff. It is documented that the equipment and training of the dentist makes as much as 90% difference in your mercury exposure when amalgam is being dealt with. See the lists below for dentists with special training and call and ask questions.
It is important to provide proper nutrition and supplements since those with
toxicity have high free radical activity and essential mineral imbalances, deficiencies.
People should take a good multivit/min, extra vit C, antioxidants like CoQ10,
most need extra magnesium, zinc, etc. and many are deficient in iodine, lithium, etc.
Some options for those with high exposures who need chelation include DMSA(www.vrp.com), N acetyl cysteine(NAC)- available from health food store but start with low doses to assess adverse effects and build up if ok, DMPS(by prescription- oral or IV- start low level, especially if weakened system- and lots of nutritional support, Vit C),
(Porphrazyme and cilantro- cilantro opens cell membranes to allow passage of mercury, chelators chelate)
new options Biocleanse or Ioncleanse footbath with ionizer ( biocleanse.com or ioncleanse.com )
The text above and my papers mention some clinics with good experience at treating the various conditions.
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Dentists and Doctors with special training in working with amalgam, root canals, cavitations- contact and ask for list
Amalgam
IAOMT (Dental Association) www.iaomt.org
DAMS
(www.amalgam.org
; ph:800-311-6265; dams@usfamily.net
Mercury Free Dentist list and Detox MDs www.flcv.com/FlMFD&MD.html
GSDL Medical Lab MD list & info(www.gdx.net )
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine(www.aaem.com )
BioProbe
Faq Sheet: www.bioprobe.com/faq.asp
Protocols
for Replacing Amalgam
DAMS Intl (651-644-4572) & IAOMT (Dental Association) www.iaomt.org
Dr. Richard Hansen, Protocols www.mercuryfilling.com/
Malmstrom High Fibre Amalgam Replacement Protocol
http://home.swipnet.se/misac/vararticles8.html
Root Canals & Cavitations
Cavitat Medical Technologies www.cavitat.com E-mail: cavitat@cavitat.com
The information on this web site is for information purposes only and not intended as advice for treating any specific condition.
Home page: www.flcv.com/dams.html
Children’s Neurological Page www.flcv.com/indexk.html
Florida Coordinator 850-878-9024
