Mercury Toxicity: Signs & Symptoms
Heavy Metal Toxicity: Mercury
One of the most common Toxic Metals I’m seeing with clients is Mercury. Which is unfortunate because Mercury is one of the most insidious metals when it comes to toxicity and symptoms. You know the name “Mad Hatter”? That originated from the Mad Hatter Disease that was caused by mercury poisoning from the mercury used to make felt hats in those days! Oh, how much we’ve learned!
So Where do we get Mercury from?
Environmental Pollution: Mercury is released into the environment from coal-burning power plants, industrial processes, and waste incineration. This contamination can settle in water bodies, leading to higher mercury levels in fish and shellfish.
Dietary Sources: Consuming certain fish and seafood is one of the most common sources of mercury exposure. Species like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish often contain high levels of mercury. Smaller fish usually have lower concentrations.
Dental Amalgams: Dental fillings made from mercury-containing amalgams can release small amounts of mercury vapor, particularly when grinding teeth or during dental procedures. This is the most common source, if you’ve had mercury fillings then you have issues with Mercury. Unless you’ve done the work to detox it out!
Traditional Medicines and Skin Products: Some traditional remedies and skin lightening products may contain mercury. It's essential to be cautious about the ingredients in these products.
Occupational Exposure: Certain jobs, such as those in mining, manufacturing, and healthcare (particularly in older practices using thermometers or sphygmomanometers), may expose individuals to mercury.
Vaccines: Many childhood vaccines had Thimerosal as a preservative. They have since removed this since 2001 from most childhood vaccines, “except for some formulations of inactivated influenza vaccine.” 1.
Signs of Mercury Toxicity
Mercury toxicity can manifest through a variety of symptoms, affecting both physical and mental health. Here are some common signs that give us clues:
Physical Symptoms
Neurological Issues: Tremors, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating.
Sensory Impairments: Vision changes, hearing loss, or numbness in the extremities.
Gastrointestinal Problems: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
Respiratory Issues: Coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
Skin Reactions: Rashes, redness, or peeling skin.
Psychological Symptoms
Mood Swings: Increased irritability, anxiety, or depression.
Cognitive Decline: Difficulty with reasoning, attention, or verbal memory.
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
Other Symptoms
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or lack of energy.
Unexplained Weight Changes: Weight loss or gain without obvious cause.
Changes in Heart Rate: Palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
Foggy Head
Leaky gut with significant food sensitivities and gut pain
Restlessness
Increased risk of opportunistic infections (parasites, fungal, etc)
Endocrine disturbances especially hypothryoid (worse if antimony is also in excess range)
Headaches
Inflamed mucous membranes with or without ulceration
Obsessive compulsive disorder (also Copper)
Speech or learning delay
Unresponsive gingivitis
Erethism: that is neuro-psychiatric symptoms characterized by oversensitivity: shyness, self consciousness with easy flushing, insomnia, depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Medical Disclaimer: If you suspect mercury toxicity, it is essential to seek medical attention for proper evaluation and treatment. Let’s also differentiate between acute mercury poisoning and chronic mercury exposure and accumulation. The former will respond well to Emergency medical treatments. The latter is harder to identify and therapies need to be multifaceted with a whole body approach.
Detoxing from Mercury
If you suspect mercury poisoning, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate testing and guidance. Here are general detox methods that may help:
Dietary Changes:
Increase intake of antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, which can help support the body’s detoxification pathways.
Stay hydrated with plenty of water to aid in flushing out toxins.
Chlorella and Spirulina: Some studies suggest that these green superfoods can bind to heavy metals and facilitate their excretion from the body.
Cilantro: This herb may help in mobilizing mercury from tissues, making it easier to eliminate.
Binding Agents: In some cases, healthcare professionals may recommend supplements like activated charcoal or bentonite clay, which can bind toxins and aid in their removal. These binders are non-specific which can deplete other nutrients and doesn’t have a strong bond so it can end up moving minerals around rather than eliminating them from the body.
Chelation Therapy: This medical treatment involves using specific agents that bind to heavy metals in the body, allowing for their excretion. This should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. I rarely recommend going this route. It is very intense on the body, stripping minerals and energy and often results in unpleasant detox symptoms.
Limit Further Exposure: Avoid high-mercury foods, using mercury-free dental products, and reducing contact with contaminated sources.
I recommend utilizing the Oligoscan Mineral and Heavy Metal test to get an accurate picture of your minerals and heavy metals. This allows you to not only address the toxicities but also to key in on the mineral deficiencies that play a crucial role in your body’s ability to detox.
As always, this is not medical advice. If you have health concerns you need to seek a medical professional.
Sources:
Thimerosal: Resources & Information https://www.immunize.org/clinical/vaccine-confidence/topic/thimerosal/