ALL NATURAL ADVANTAGE

Natural Healthcare And Education

Heavy Metal Toxicity and Chelation

There has been much debate regarding heavy metal toxicity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially mercury. Exposure to mercury can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor and behavioural dysfunction. These are similar traits defining or associated with autism. The ethylmercury containing preservative, thiomersol, has been implicated as a source of heavy metal contamination in Autism Spectrum Disorder children. Although the manufacturers and Governments do not believe that vaccinations are harmful, the majority of vaccines for children are now free of thiomersol.

How Mercury Produces Brain Damage Online video on how mercury can damage nerve cells. Research from the University of Calgary.

Apart from mercury, tests for heavy metal toxicity, Kryptopyrrole, Hair Mineral Analysis, Urinary heavy metal testing following oral DMSA (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) challenge, also consistently show children to be high in aluminium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, antimony and other heavy metals.

Supplements that help remove or chelate heavy metals include:

•    zinc is important for increased expression of metallothioneins, which are proteins capable of binding heavy metals and excreting them from the body. Metallothioneins are cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins and antioxidant compounds. They have the capacity to bind heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic and mercury, as well as physiological metals such as zinc and copper. (Zymin)

•    selenium has been shown to affect the distribution and reduce the toxicity of Hg in animal studies.

•    meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is an effective chelator of heavy metals and is used orally at a higher dose as a challenge, after which the levels of urinary heavy metals are measured, or at lower more frequent doses often in combination with lipoic acid (Alpha-Lipoic Acid Protocol). Due to its low molecular weight is readily filtered by the kidneys and is excreted via the urine. Does not chelate mercury in the brain.

•    sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfate (DMPS) is similar to DMSA, however because of the tendency to have more severe side-effects is usually not used.

•    lipoic acid in the form R-alpha lipoic acid is the more active form that should be used. Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, an effective chelator of heavy metals and an enhancer of glutathione. Lipoic acid has a short half life in the body indicating that it is best taken several times throughout the day, which is the basis of the Alpha-Lipoic Acid Protocol used to chelate heavy metals in children and adults. (Lipoic acid)

•    glutathione is a molecule made up of glycine, glutamate (glutamic acid), and cysteine. Glutathione has an important role in the removal of heavy metals in the body by supporting biochemical pathways essential for heavy metal removal like metallothionine. (Nutri 21)

•    spirulina in combination with zinc assists the removal of heavy metals from the body. A study of 41 patients with chronic arsenic poisoning found spirulina and zinc to be effective in removing arsenic. Spirulina has also been found to reduce the toxic load of lead. (G-Tox Express)

•    curcumin is well known for its antioxidant properties and has been found to protect against lead and cadmium toxicity , reducing damage to neurons. (G-Tox Express)

•    pectin is able to reduce absorption and bioaccumulation of toxic metals by binding the metals in the digestive tract and preventing their absorption. This is also helpful to ensure the elimination of heavy metals that have been excreted into the bile by preventing their reabsorption. (G-Tox Express)

•    coriander has traditionally been used to enhance the excretion of toxins and metals. Results of animal studies on lead suggest that coriander achieves this by chelating lead in the gut and reducing absorption as well as chelating lead systematically, with enhanced lead excretion in the kidneys. (G-Tox Express)

•    bioflavonoids quercetin and rutin can assist in the removal of heavy metals.

•    vitamins B5 and  C, n-acetyl-cysteine, methionine and selenium are antagonists to mercury (Nutri 21)

•    zeolites form where volcanic ash layers react with alkaline groundwater forming zeolite crystals The slow leaching of chemicals over time through mineral water create this family of microporous solids that act as molecular sieves which are natural chelators, having the ability to be used as tools for cation  exchange. (ZeoActive8)

•    EDTA has been used to chelate heavy metals from the body. Products containing EDTA specifically designed to remove heavy metals include CH77 and O2Chel8.

Specific Chelation Protocols

•    Metallothionein Promotion

•    Alpha-Lipoic Acid and DMSA Protocol

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.

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Last modified: 03/18/09