Have You Been Exposed to Mercury?
by Cindy Harrington, CNC, CHS, CINHC, CYT & Master Nutrition Response Testing® Practitioner
Center for Nutritional Healing
Mercury, a metallic element (Hg) on the periodic table, is not normally found in the human body. However, there are many ways humans can be exposed to this dangerous metal. Two of the most notable ways are dental mercury amalgam fillings (“silver fillings”) and large fish and shellfish especially tuna, shark, mackerel, and swordfish. There are many other sources of mercury, listed in the bottom paragraph below.
Exposure to mercury can be at the root of absolutely any health issue including neurological dysfunction (i.e. anxiety, depression, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism); digestive dysfunction; compromised immunity; hormonal imbalance; respiratory dysfunction, inflammation; skin disorders; pregnancy loss; increased disease and cancer risk; and a host of other health problems.
How does mercury enter the body? Dental mercury amalgam fillings (“silver fillings”) give off mercury vapor that is inhaled or absorbed via the mucus membranes. When eating large fish contaminated with mercury, mercury can damage the gut lining and be distributed to the tissues of the body. According to Bernhauf (2012), mercury is easily transported to the brain. But it also may go to the thyroid, breast, myocardium, muscles, adrenals, liver, kidneys, skin, sweat glands, pancreas, enterocytes, lungs, salivary glands, testes, prostate and can be related to impaired function and disease in these areas. Bernhauf goes on to say: “Mercury in all forms poisons cellular function… Consequently, mercury can potentially impair function of any organ, or any subcellular structure.”
As mercury has an affinity for nerve tissue, it is easily passed from mother to unborn child. A recent study out of Norway (Björkman, et al., 2018) showed increased risk of losing a baby in utero the more dental mercury amalgam fillings (“silver fillings”) the pregnant mother has.
If you have been exposed to mercury from dental mercury amalgam fillings (“silver fillings”) or by other means, there is hope! At Center for Nutritional Healing, Cindy Harrington is advanced trained in Nutrition Response Testing and is able to test your body and identify if you’ve been affected by any harmful metals or chemicals, including mercury. If mercury toxicity is identified, she will then identify and recommend safe, natural whole food supplements to help your unique body detoxify and heal itself.
Schedule an evaluation today and find out if you’ve been exposed to mercury. Or come to one of our free health seminars for more information on what we do and how we do it. Click here to be in touch or call us at 484-938-7691. There is tremendous hope for true healing. Take the first step today.
Additional sources of mercury exposure include vaccines; fungicides; soil; eye drops; soft contact lens solution; latex and oil-based antiseptics; battery manufacturing; body powders; bleached flour; broken thermometers; calomel lotions; some Chinese herbs; cleaners and disinfectants including Ajax, Lysol, Comet, Derma Scrub, Dove soap, and Ivory liquid soap; chlorine and chlorine bleach; cosmetics; diuretics; dyes; embalming fluid; engraving supplies; exhaust fumes; fabric softeners; felt; fertilizers; inks; laxatives; lumber; paints; paper manufacturing; some medications; photo engraving; preparation H.; psoriasis ointment; sewage disposal and sludge; skin lightening creams; tattooing; contaminated water; waxes (including floor); wood preservatives; and industrial waste dumping.
References:
Bernhoft, R. A. (2012). Mercury Toxicity and Treatment: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012: 460508. p. 1-10. doi: 10.1155/2012/460508.
Björkman, L., Lygre, G. B., Haug, K., & Skjærven, R. Perinatal death and exposure to dental amalgam fillings during pregnancy in the population-based MoBa cohort. PLOS ONE. 2018: 13(12): e0208803. P. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208803