ALL NATURAL ADVANTAGE

Natural Healthcare And Education

Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMSA Protocol

Dr. Andy Cutler is a chemist receiving his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of California and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University. Dr Cutler determined, several years ago, that he had health problems due to mercury toxicity. He read a lot and tried a lot of things, and eventually got better. In the process he came up with very definite ideas about what is helpful and what isn't. He is fairly well known as being one (of many) people with strong opinions on the topic of mercury detox. His protocol is widely known as the ALA Protocol.

This detoxification protocol uses alpha lipoic acid (ALA), and may optionally also use meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfate (DMPS). All are administered orally with adequate frequency to maintain reasonably steady blood levels. ALA detoxification is effective for the removal of mercury and arsenic from the brain. DMSA is effective for the removal of lead, and assists in the removal of mercury. DMPS assists in the removal of mercury and arsenic, however tends to have more severe side effects so generally is not used.

The reason why his chelation treatment works is because it doesn't just mobilise mercury, stirs it around, and dumps it again in the most sensitive tissues, but effectively removes it out of the body. This is because every chelating agent, which can mobilize mercury and/or other elements, has a specific half life, meaning it will only stay in the body for a certain amount of time. Once the levels drop, the mobilised mercury resettles. What Cutler's protocol does, is that it keeps a constant level of chelating agents present in the body for a very long time, making it possible for these chelators to actually escort mercury out of the body and not just stir it around like other treatments do. His protocol achieves this by very frequent administration of chelators.

Precautionary Notes

•   all methods of chelation and all chelation agents have some risk 

•  pay attention to your child or yourself as to new symptoms or signs that may appear

•   if experiencing bad results then stop

•   do not try to chelate mercury if your child or yourself has/have any amalgam dental fillings present

•   ensure iron levels are adequate. Absorption of iron is dependent on a metal transporter (DMT 1). This transporter is upregulated in iron deficiency. Toxic elements such as cadmium and lead share the same transporter and may be the reason that iron deficiency predisposes to cadmium and lead toxicity

•   ALA depletes biotin, therefore biotin may need to be supplemented with ALA

Dose Frequency

•   DMSA: every 4 hours, including at night

•   ALA: every 3 hours, including at night.  (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)

•   DMSA + ALA (together): same as ALA, every 3 hours, including at night.  (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)

•   it is generally okay to take a dose sooner, if this is more convenient.  For instance, it is fine to take the next dose of ALA after 2.5 hours rather than 3.  If you do this, be sure to adjust the time of the next following dose so that it is taken within 3 hours. (Don't accidentally leave it till 3.5 hours later because of the "early" dose). All dose guidelines are about the LONGEST you can go between doses. Shorter is okay.

Dosage

•   dosages vary and should be guided by your healthcare professional

•   generally parents use 12.5mg ALA and 12.5mg DMSA

•   a 1:1 ratio of ALA:DMSA seems to work fine.

Length of Cycles (Often referred to as one round)

•   at least a few days on. Three days on or more is recommended. 2.6 days on is acceptable. (3 entire daytimes and the 2 nights in between = 2.6 days.) (Also, Friday after school until Monday morning = 2.6 days.)  Less may not be as effective.

•   at least as many days off as you had on.

•   there is not an obvious one-size-fits-all answer.  The following are all reasonable options: 3 days on, 4 days off.   OR  3 days on 11 days off .  Many other options are also reasonable.

•   two weeks on at most.

Warning

Always seek the advice of a practitioner experienced in the removal of heavy metals in children and adults. Improper preparation and removal of heavy metals, especially mercury, can redistribute heavy metals into other organs, including the brain.

 For advice or to book a consultation call (03) 8802 7687 or email me. 

Always seek a consultation with a qualified practitioner first before trying any new treatments.

Natural therapies through a qualified practitioner, specialising in your disorder, provides safe and effective treatments that works.

Disclaimer

This website has no financial connection to the supplement or health products industry.

The information on this website is provided as a guide to your healthcare options only.  The All Natural Advantage website makes no statements, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and should not be relied on as a sole source of information.  We take no responsibility or liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any expenses, losses, damages or costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason including but not limited to, you deciding whether or not to choose specific treatment based on the information.

Please contact me or another qualified health professional before embarking on any health treatment program

Send mail to All Natural Advantage with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 03/18/09