A (Very) Brief History of Heavy Metal Toxicity

In the late phases of the Roman Empire, it was considered a privilege of the aristocracy to drink out of lead cups and many of the water lines in Rome were made out of lead. It took the physicians of the day several hundred years to link the high levels of mental illness (mainly in the rich) to lead contamination in the drinking water.

In the 1700’s, mercury was used in the treatment of both acute and chronic infections. It took decades before the neurotoxic and immunosuppressive effects of mercury became documented in the medical community. Mozart died of mercury toxicity given to him for the treatment of syphilis. Pathologists of the day were aware of the grayish discoloration of organs and other destructive changes in those who died from mercury toxicity.

Mercury, Other Heavy Metals and Health

Mercury and other heavy metals can indeed be used to treat infections. They have bactericidal, fungal and perhaps virucidal functions. Unfortunately bacteria, fungi, viruses and other invading microorganisms can adapt and thrive in a heavy metal environment. Toxic metals harm the cells of our body. Microorganisms infiltrate those body compartments that have the highest levels of toxic metals. The body’s own immune cells are incapacitated by heavy metals in those areas where the microorganisms multiply.

Common locations of metal storage where microorganisms thrive are the teeth and jaw, connective tissue and extracellular fluids, autonomic nerve ganglia and the Peyer’s patches (lymphoid nodules in the intestinal wall).

These areas become vasoconstricted and hypoperfused by blood, nutrients and oxygen, which fosters the growth of anaerobic germs, fungi and viruses.

The list of symptoms related to mercury intoxication alone includes virtually any illness known to mankind. Simply put, mercury can mimic any illness — or contribute to it.

Virtually All Illnesses Are Related to Chronic Infection

The discovery of the PCR test (polymerase chain reaction), which identifies microorganisms by their DNA structure, has led to the understanding that virtually all illnesses are caused by or contributed to by a chronic infection. For example, a study of 10,000 veterans performed by the VA showed that most coronary heart disease began as an infection of the endothelial lining of the arteries, in most cases caused by microorganisms originating in the mouth. Another study showed that close to 70% of all TMJ syndromes in women are caused or contributed to by chlamydia infections. Childhood diabetes has been connected to cytomegalovirus or influenza.

Research in the 1800’s by Claude Bechamps and in this century by Gunther Enderlein focused on the inner terrain of our bodies. They discovered that infections cannot thrive and develop in the body unless the milieu is changed and degraded. This occurs through many stressors including diet, environmental toxins, emotional stress and lack of exercise. However, toxic metal residues are possibly the most important factor in degrading the terrain because they are both difficult to precisely diagnose and hard for our bodies to metabolize and eliminate.

Successful Treatment of Disease and Elimination of Metal Residues

The successful treatment of virtually all diseases must include elimination of metal residues and appropriate treatment of the microorganisms. As long as compartmentalized toxic metals are present in the body, microorganisms have a fortress in which to reside that cannot be conquered by western or biological medications or treatment.

Diagnosing heavy metals in body compartments is not easy in a living patient since it must be done by grinding up tissue and examining it under a microscope or other laboratory procedure.

In my practice, I utilize the principle of resonance phenomena between identical substances, discovered by Dr. Yoshiaki Omura. Utilizing both the bi-digital O-ring test (developed by Omura) and ART (Autonomic Response Testing developed by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt) as an extension of the regular physical examination, we can accurately diagnose where in the body which metal is stored. We can then determine which detoxifying agents are most suitable to remove it.

There are many detoxifying agents useful for this. These include: DMPS, DMSA, Vitamin C, the amino acids: 1- Glutathione, DL-Methionine, N Acetyl Cysteine, branched-chain amino acids (including leucine, isoleucine, and valine), goat’s whey protein (high in both glutathione and branch chain aminos), Chlorella, activated charcoal and charcoalized bamboo, cilantro, yellow dock, garlic and general mineral replacement (including especially – magnesium, sodium, zinc and selenium).

The Importance of Precise Diagnosis and Knowledgeable Supervision

Precise diagnosis of both the toxically compromised body compartments and choice of effective detox agents are imperative. Chlorella, for instance, is most effective for toxins in the connective tissue especially in the gut. Cilantro when given appropriately is a powerful detoxifier of intracellular mercury. Bear garlic has a strong predisposition for the kidney.

The shotgun method of do-it-yourself detoxification is strongly not recommended.

Knowledgeable supervision and careful monitoring is necessary. It is very easy to stir up (mobilize) more toxins than the body can eliminate. Appropriate synergistic methods and agents must be utilized. These include: acupuncture and lymphatic drainage therapy, lymph, kidney and liver drainage remedies, blood protective agents such as garlic or Vitamin E, and agents that increase fecal absorption and excretion of mobilized mercury.

Where Mercury Deposits Are Found and the Problems Caused

• In the hypothalamus causing hormonal problems
• In the limbic system of the brain causing depression
• In the adrenals causing fatigue
• In the long bones causing osteoporosis and leukemia
• In the pelvis causing interstitial cystitis or prostate disorders
• In the autonomic and sensory nerve ganglia causing chronic pain syndromes
• In the connective tissue causing scleroderma and lupus
• In the cranial nerves causing tinnitus, cataracts, TMJ problems and loss of smell
• In the muscles causing fibromyalgia
• In the jaw bone causing TMJ issues
• In the intestinal walls causing constipation, gastric disorders and Candida

Why Mercury Chooses Certain Locations for Deposit

The causes for the location of toxicity (and the resultant disorders) must be identified and treated. These include:

• Physical trauma sites, such as head injuries leading to deposits in the brain.
• Food allergies:
• Can cause inflammatory sites in the joints or intestines leading to depositions of metal.
• Scars:
• Can create abnormal electrical signals which alter the function of the autonomic nervous system leading to areas of vasoconstriction. They can become a metal site.
• Structural abnormalities:
• TMJ problems and cranio-sacral dysfunctions decreasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage to affected areas.
• Biochemical deficiencies:
• Chronic zinc deficiency can cause the prostate gland, which has a large turnover of zinc, to incorporate mercury or lead within it.
• Environmental toxicity (solvents, hydrocarbons, pesticides etc.):
• These agents have a synergistic effect with most toxic metals. Metals will often accumulate in the body parts that have been injured due to chemical exposure at an earlier time.
• Unresolved psycho-emotional trauma.

A new “disease model” has emerged from these observations, brilliantly summarized in the words of Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt:

“The symptom is that which is visible or apparent. Underneath or within it we find most often a chronic infection. Underneath the infection we find the altered milieu, mostly the presence of toxic metals. Underneath the toxic metal, the reason why it is there (other than the obvious necessary exposure), the selection of location, the choice of metal – are all created and guided by the subconscious mind and determined by the type, severity and date of unresolved psycho-emotional trauma.”

In treating a chronic illness, all these issues must be addressed, in addition to giving the appropriate remedies/supplements/medications for the specific condition. In this way, we can dramatically improve our success in treating virtually any disorder.