Mercury Toxicity and
Systemic Elimination Agents
Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D. and Joseph Mercola, D.O.,
Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (2001) 11, 53-62
The Problem .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Pathophysiology ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
Mercury Toxicity Symptoms ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Mercury and Chronic Infections ................................................................................................................................ 4
Testing -- The Diagnostic Dilemma...........................................................................................................................5
Basics Of Treatment .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Mercury Compartmentalization ................................................................................................................................. 6
Chlorella .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Chlorella Dose ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Cilantro......................................................................................................................................................................7
Porphryazyme............................................................................................................................................................8
Minerals.....................................................................................................................................................................8
Optimize Bowel Flora. .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Optimize Bowel Transit Time ................................................................................................................................... 9
MSM (Methyl Sulfono Methane) ............................................................................................................................. 9
Essential Fatty Acids ................................................................................................................................................. 9
Vitamins .................................................................................................................................................................... 9
DMPS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
DMSA and NAC ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Potentiating Agents..................................................................................................................................................11
Homeopathic Therapies...........................................................................................................................................11
Amalgam Removal Protocol....................................................................................................................................12
The Day of Removal and After................................................................................................................................12
The Problem
We are seeing a serious rise in the environment of neuro-toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The resultant
accumulation of heavy metals in the human body poses significant health risks. Chronic mercury
exposure from occupational, environmental, dental amalgam, and contaminated food exposure is a
significant threat to public health. A single dental amalgam filling with a surface area of only 0.4 cm2 is
estimated to release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day primarily through mechanical wear
and evaporation.1 The average individual has eight amalgam fillings and could absorb up to 120
micrograms of mercury per day from their amalgams. These levels are consistent with reports of 60
micrograms of mercury per day collected in human feces.2 By way of contrast, estimates of the daily
absorption of all forms of mercury from fish and seafood is 2.3 micrograms and from all other foods, air
and water is 0.3 micrograms per day.3
The mercury vapor from the amalgams is lipid soluble and passes readily through cell membranes and
across the blood brain barrier.4 It is scientifically clear that amalgam mercury transfers to human tissues,
accumulates with time, and presents a potential health threat. The scientific evidence is so overwhelming
that, in 1994, the United States Public Health Service declared that mercury amalgam exposure was
higher than their established minimal risk level standard for the general population. The U.S. Public
Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation in July of 1999 to remove the
mercury in the vaccines administered in the U.S. also demonstrates the U.S. government's recognition of
mercury as a toxic agent.5
A "silver" filling, or dental amalgam, is not a true alloy. Amalgams are made up of 50% mercury, which
is not, as most dentists believe, locked into the filling. Rather, the mercury escapes continuously during
the entire life of the filling in the forms of vapor, ions and abraded particles.6 Chewing, brushing, and
the intake of hot fluids stimulates this release.7,8,9 The absorption rate of inhaled mercury vapor is
extremely high, with approximately 80% of the inhaled dose reaching the brain tissue within one blood
circulation cycle. The amalgam also consists of 35% silver, 9% tin, 6% copper and a trace of zinc.6
More than 100 million mercury fillings are placed each year in the U.S. as over 90% of dentists use them
for restoring posterior teeth.10
Statements made by the dental profession, which claim that the amount of mercury exposure
encountered by patients from dental amalgams is too small to be harmful, are contradicted by the
scientific literature and are totally indefensible.11 Dentists do not receive training that would enable
them to monitor for symptoms related to mercury toxicity. The fact that mercury amalgam fillings are
banned in many countries in Europe is strong evidence of the clinical toxicity of this material.
Any metal restoration placed in the mouth will produce electrogalvanic effects. These subtle electric
fields will adversely affect brain function. Brain cells have electric potentials of approximately one
millivolt (millionth of a volt) and they communicate with each other through these minute electric fields.
The current that is generated by metal restorations in the mouth (electrogalvanism) is far greater than the
current that runs the brain. Ideally, the mouth should be metal restoration free to minimize these
potentially disturbing influences, which will interfere with optimal brain function. Even if the metal is
biocompatible and properly placed with no occlusion problems, the metal in the mouth will impair some
elements of optimized brain function.
Pathophysiology
From a scientific point of view, there is no more "controversy" about the ill health effects of dental
amalgams. There is no debate about the fact that mercury in the central nervous system (CNS) causes
psychological, neurological, and immunological problems in all humans.12,13 These symptoms and
literature are carefully reviewed elsewhere.14
The sheep and monkey studies conducted at the University of Calgary, Canada-under the guidance of
Dr. Murray Vimy -showed that radioactively labeled mercury released from freshly and correctly placed
amalgam fillings appeared quickly in the kidneys, brain and wall of the intestines.15, Mercury bonds very
firmly to structures in the nervous system through its affinity for sulfhydryl-groups on amino acids.
Other studies showed that mercury is taken up in the periphery by all nerve endings and rapidly
transported inside the axon of the nerves (axonal transport) to the spinal cord and brainstem.16
Laboratory studies have shown that within 24 hours of injecting a minute dose of mercury into a muscle
anywhere in the body it is quickly present in the spinal cord and brain. The mercury was also present in
the kidneys, lungs, bloodstream, connective tissue, adrenal and other endocrine glands. In the brain, it
tended to congregate in the hypothalamus, which regulates the sympathetic nervous system, and in the
limbic system.
Mercury vapor is hydrophobic or lipophilic and does not bind with oxygen and transfers directly into the
tissue. Mercury also migrates from the teeth into the tissues through the process of chewing that converts
small amounts of amalgam into mercury vapors and particles that are swallowed and absorbed in the GI
tract. This is metallic mercury and easily penetrates all cells. Catalase is an enzyme in the cell attaches
mercury to a sulfhydryl group inside the cell. Mercury is taken up into the lymphatics, into the veins, and
then runs into the gut, and then to the liver, and then into the gallbladder. Mercury then dumps back into
the gut and recycles. This is called enterohepatic circulation.
Mercury also is absorbed in the lymphatics of the lower jaw, which go straight into the cervical
lymphatic chain and into the thyroid, and then dumps into thoracic veins. Lymphatics of the upper jaw
are continuous with the brain and, within seconds, mercury absorbed there goes directly into the brain.
The half-life of mercury in the body is suggested to be about three to six weeks, but that is because it is
not measured in the tissues. Mercury does not appear to have a "half-life" in the central nervous system
as it binds relatively non-reversibly with CNS tissue. Mercury, once in the nervous system, stays there
permanently, unless it is detoxified.
Tubulin forms tubular structures within each nerve, along which the nerve-cell transports metabolic
waste from the nerve cell into the periphery and along which the nutrients required by the nerve cell are
transported from the periphery to the cell. Mercury contributes to further toxicity on its route to the CNS
from the periphery by immobilizing the enzyme that is essential for "making" tubulin. Once mercury has
traveled up the axon, the nerve cell is impaired in its ability to detoxify and nurture itself. All of the
nerve nutrition is through the nerve ending and travels up the tubulin into the cell nucleus through the
axon. The mercury-contaminated nerve cell becomes toxic and lives in a state of chronic malnutrition if
it is able to survive this toxin. This is due to mercury's inhibition of the polymerization of tubulin, which
is essential for the formation of microtubules.16 Mercury, in all of its forms, is a powerful neuro-toxicant
that can destroy the tubulin molecules when it is taken up by the nerve synapse through the mucous
membranes in the mouth. Inorganic mercury inhibits the function of tubulin, a critical protein for the
brain to perform properly.14,15
Mercury Toxicity Symptoms
The overt clinical effects resulting from toxic exposure to mercury have been clearly described.17,18 The
scientific literature shows that amalgam fillings have been associated with a variety of problems such as
autoimmunity,19,20,21 kidney dysfunction,22 and interference with the immune system as measured by the
T-lymphocyte count.23,24 Patients with many amalgam fillings will also have an increase in the
prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.25 Subclinical neuropsychological and motor control effects
were also observed in dentists who had documented high mercury exposure levels.26,27 Amalgam use
may also be related to fatigue, poor memory and certain psychological disorders.28
The presence of infertility has increased from 8 to 15% over the past two decades, which may be related
to mercury exposure.29 Heavy metals induce modifications of neurotransmitters in the central nervous
system and impair the pulsatile hypothalamic release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.30 Dental
assistants were found to have half the conception rate compared to women without mercury exposure.31
Removing the mercury seems to be associated with an improved fertility rate.32 There is also an
increased rate of hormonal disorders among women exposed to mercury. Polycystic ovary syndrome as a
result of mercury exposure has also been described.33
The earliest symptoms of long term, low level mercury poisoning are subclinical and neurological.
Subsequently, due to their subtlety, these symptoms are easily misdiagnosed. Intracellular mercury can
cause chronic fatigue, cancer and learning disabilities. Extracellular symptoms of mercury toxicity
include: CNS irritability, anxiety, nervousness, fearfulness, emotional instability, loss of self-confidence
and shyness. In adolescents, these symptoms are particularly damaging as they impair one's normal
social development. Additional symptoms may include: loss of memory, especially room-to-room
memory, impaired concentration, and insomnia.
It is well documented that lead and cadmium can cause hypo or hyperthryoidism.34. Mercury toxicity
will also tend to cause hypothyroidism. The most frequent cause of hypoglycemia is excessive sugar
and grain consumption. However, it can also be exacerbated by mercury toxicity. Mercury toxicity can
also increase food allergies.35 Detoxification of mercury will frequently improve these allergies.
Additionally, fibromyalgia pain, which is frequently experienced as areas of numb and burning pain, is
improved with mercury detoxification.
Mercury and Chronic Infections
As referenced above, mercury clearly has a variety of detrimental impacts on the immune system. Many
practitioners have long observed that patients diagnosed with chronic viral illnesses (EBV, CMV, HIV,
herpes zoster and genital herpes, CFIDS, etc.), chronic fungal illnesses (Candidiasis and others), and
recurrent episodes of bacterial infections (chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, bladder/prostate
infections, HIV related infections) often have dramatic recoveries following an aggressive
mercury/amalgam detoxification program.36This would support a general immune enhancing benefit of
any effective mercury detoxification program. It has also been shown that the presence of amalgam fill-
ings conveys immunity to antibiotics to various bacteria and also impairs the body's own defense system.
Mercury is, therefore, the only substance ever shown that induces antibiotic resistance in bacteria, other
than an antibiotic itself.78 It is known that bacteria cause periodontal disease and that the removal of
amalgam fillings can often be curative.77 Unfortunately, there are no studies to date that have tested the
mercury hypothesis in other infections, even though the clinical evidence is overwhelming.
Testing -- The Diagnostic Dilemma
It is important to note that prior to beginning any detoxification protocol one should perform a chemistry
profile to test for kidney and liver function. Mercury, once it is released into the body, is quickly and
firmly bound in the peripheral and central nervous system (brain, spinal chord, peripheral motor and
sensory ganglia, autonomic ganglia). Except for a short period after acute exposure, mercury's rapid
transport to the nervous tissue dramatically limits its presence in the blood, hair, urine, feces, sweat or
any other body fluids . Therefore, a regular trace-element analysis of any body compartment (hair, whole
blood, or red cell) will generally not show any evidence of mercury toxicity unless the patient is actively
detoxifying mercury. However, there are three traditional tests used for mercury diagnosis.
1. Porphyrins. The most accepted test for metal toxicity in the traditional medical community is the
determination of porphyrins in the urine.37 Certain porphyrins are elevated in blood and urine.
2. Hair analysis. One must use this test with caution though. One could have a result showing low
levels of mercury yet have high levels in their tissues. One can do a hair analysis six weeks after
starting a mercury detoxification program and it should be high in mercury, which suggests that
the mercury is transferring from the tissues into the blood and being excreted into the hair
follicles.
3. Challenge tests with complexing or chelating agents (administration of appropriate agents followed
by mercury urinalysis). Chelation involves the incorporation of a metal/metalloid ion into a
heterocyclic ring structure. A chelating agent forms a ring structure with a metal or metalloid. A
metal complexing agent is a more general term, which includes a chelating agent. When used for
treating heavy metal poisoning, the administration of the chelating agent results in the formation of a
chelate structure. The chelating agent usually has a greater affinity for the metal ion than do
endogenous ligands to which the offending metal is bound. The metal chelate usually has water
solubility greater than that of the offending metal ion and thus increases it excretion by the kidney.
DMPS and DMSA Chelation Challenge Test
The use of a provocative or challenge test for estimating the body content or exposure to a heavy metal
is well established in medicine. The challenge test may need to be performed before beginning amalgam
removal for legal documentation. However, many clinicians' experiences have shown that when a patient
is mineral deficient (especially sodium, calcium, potassium or sulfur), the body is unable to mobilize
toxic metals with a challenge test. The mineral status needs to be corrected prior to successful
mobilization for mercury. Chelation challenges are generally done with DMPS and DMSA, which are
chelating or complexing agents. The first suggestion for the use of DMPS as a provocative or challenge
test for mercury was made in 1981.38 It was first used in the western world in 1988.39 The patient is
generally given a dose of one or the other immediately after emptying their bladder.
DMPS-stimulated excretion of all heavy metals reaches a maximum after 2-3 hours and decreases
thereafter to return to baseline levels after 8 hours.40 So the urine is collected for and analyzed for
mercury content. Most of the mercury will come out relatively quickly so many physicians will have
the patient wait in the office or go out to lunch and then come back in 90 minutes after the chelation and
collect the urine specimen. It is important to remember that mercury is heavier than water. So when
taking an aliquot from the urine sample, it is helpful to shake the sample first prior to pouring it into the
container that will be sent to the lab for analysis. If using the DMSA challenge, one should collect the
urine for six hours. DMPS is more potent than DMSA, thus a significant urine level of mercury with
DMPS would be above 50 mgs while with DMSA, 10 or more mgs would be considered a significant
amount.
Basics of Treatment
One of the essential initial steps of therapy is to optimize the diet BEFORE metal detoxification starts.
One needs to decrease processed foods, stress and sugar. It would be best to limit fluids to water
exclusively and minimize or eliminate all sugar, milk and wheat. These changes will improve immune
competency and the body's ability to tolerate the detoxification process. More details are available in
the Reaching for Optimal Wellness article. The latest version can be found on the Internet at
www.mercola.com. It is listed under a button called "Read This First" on the home page.
Mercury Compartmentalization
Metals are stored in many different body compartments. Each compartment requires different
detoxification approaches. The different compartments are intracellular, extracellular (connective tissue),
intravascular, kidneys or gut wall and central nervous system. Chlorella is used to shuttle mercury out of
the gut. Chlorella and DMPS41,42 have powerful detoxification abilities on the connective tissue. It is
important to begin detoxification by first unloading the connective tissue. This is best achieved with
chlorella. When this is accomplished, one can then begin intracellular detoxification. DMSA or cilantro
will move mercury out of the cell and brain. Sulfur containing substances like garlic,43 DMPS or DMSA
will mobilize mercury out of the kidneys.
Muscle testing has shown that during mercury detoxification large amounts of mercury are not only
excreted via the kidneys but also appear in the small intestine/upper colon (especially when Chlorella
and Cilantro are used). They are excreted both via the liver-gall bladder-small intestine pathway, as well
as through direct active and passive transport from the intestinal vessels into the lumen. However, the
excreted stool contains a much lesser amount of mercury than the lower part of the small intestine/upper
part of the large intestine. This suggests re-absorption of mercury during its passage through the colon.
Chlorella
Algae and other aquatic plants possess the capacity to take up toxic trace metals from their environment,
resulting in an internal concentration greater than those of the surrounding waters. This property has
been exploited as a mean for treating industrial effluent containing metals before they are discharged,
and to recover the bioavailable fraction of the metal.44 Chlorella has been shown to develop resistance
to cadmium contaminated waters by synthesizing metal-binding proteins.45 A book written for the
mining industry, Biosorption of Heavy Metals, details how miners use organisms called biomasses to
increase the yield of precious metals in old mines. These biomasses are sprayed into the mineshaft,
washed out with water, and collected on ion exchange membranes. A biomass is a sludge of membranes
usually from mono-cellular organisms that have a tendency to accumulate metals that they are exposed
to in their outer cell wall.
Dr. Klinghardt believes that most, if not all chronic infectious diseases are not caused by a failure of the
immune system but are a conscious adaptation of the immune system to an otherwise lethal heavy metal
environment. Mercury suffocates the intracellular respiratory mechanism and can cause cell death. So, it
is speculated that the immune system makes a compromise: it cultivates fungi and bacteria that can bind
large amounts of toxic metals. This allows the cells to breathe. However, the system is compromised, as
it has to provide nutrition for the microorganisms and has to contend with their metabolic by-products
("toxins"). These organisms, especially Candida, can frequently grow uncontrollably. When this occurs,
the patient experiences the so-called "die-off effect" (the sometimes severe crisis or even lethal reaction
a patient can have in the initial stages of aggressive pharmaceutical antifungal or antibacterial treatment).
This is often due to acute heavy metal toxicity-metals released from the cell walls of dying microorgan-
isms.
The list of organisms that have the highest affinity for toxic metals covers the full spectrum of typical
infectious diseases: fungi of the candida species, streptococci, staphylococci, and amoebas, among many
others. However, two algae top the list of organisms in their ability to effectively bind to mercury:
Chlorella pyreneidosa and Chlorella vulgaris. Although spirulina and super blue green algae are also
algae with other health benefits, the mining and clinical research does not support their use in binding
these heavy metals.
Chlorella appears to have two significant mechanisms of action that make it an ideal agent to be used in
a toxic-metal treatment protocol. Its cell wall absorbs rather large amounts of toxic metals (similar to an
ion exchange resin). Either the specific combination of amino-acids, the chlorella derived growth factor,
or some other yet unknown mechanism leads to mobilization of some mercury from within the cell. It
enhances mobilization of mercury compartmentalized in non-neurologic structures such as the muscles,
ligaments, connective tissue, and bone.
Chlorella is an essential part of the detoxification program, as approximately 90% of the mercury in our
bodies is eliminated through the stool. To increase the fecal excretion of mercury, certain principles
should be applied. First, it is wise to first start the mercury detoxification by first unloading the
connective tissue with chlorella. Large doses of chlorella will clear out the mercury that can frequently
contaminate the colon. Chlorella works likes a sponge to suck up mercury from the body. Chlorella only
pulls mercury out of the gut wall. Once the gut is cleared, the mercury will then, by osmosis, go into the
gut from other body tissues where chlorella will effectively remove it from the body.
Chlorella Dose
The powder is the most cost effective approach but some people will prefer the tablets or capsules for
convenience. One can start out with a one quarter of a teaspoon of the powder (one 500 mg tablet) once
a day initially to confirm that there is no hypersensitivity present. Work up to 3/4 of a teaspoon (5- 500
mg. tablets) with every meal. Every tenth day you can take a large dose of one tablespoon (16- 500 mg
tablets) with each meal. A simple way to dissolve the powder is to place it in a container with a lid
partially filled with water. Then tighten the lid and shake to dissolve and drink the solution. Most people
find it inconvenient to spread the doses out to include the lunch meal. Therefore, one could possibly
increase the normal daily dose to 1 1/2 teaspoons with breakfast and dinner for convenience.
CAUTION: If at any time one develops nausea or starts "burping up" the chlorella taste then the
chlorella should be stopped immediately as a food sensitivity is developing which will only worsen if
you continue taking it.
Chlorella is also very helpful for removing radioactive metals or fallout. Amalgam tattoos are black
deposits on the gum and cheeks that are due to mercury deposits. These are typically removed surgically.
Chlorella can be used to remove the amalgam tattoos noninvasively by sticking the chlorella powder on
a cotton roll and placing it on the tattoo overnight. The treatment requires about two weeks to remove
the tattoo.
Cilantro
Dr. Omura has found that Cilantro (Chinese parsley) can mobilize mercury and other toxic metals
rapidly from the CNS and the brain when appropriate amounts are consumed daily.46 47 Cilantro
mobilizes mercury or tin stored in the brain and in the spinal cord and moves it into the connective
tissues, Cilantro is especially useful for removing mercury from the brain, as brain detoxification is one
of the most difficult to achieve. The mobilized mercury appears to be either excreted via the stool, the
urine, or translocated into more peripheral tissues. This is a revolutionary discovery and makes cilantro
the first known substance that mobilizes mercury from the CNS.
The active principle is unknown. Dried cilantro, however, does not work which suggests that the active
substance is in the volatile fat-soluble portion of the plant. It would be wise to use fresh cilantro as a
seasoning four to five times a week. A pesto can also be prepared by purchasing fresh organic cilantro
and putting it in a blender with a small amount of water, sea salt and olive oil. Blend this until creamy.
Take 1 tablespoon 3 times/day with meals. A tincture is also available and the dose is ten drops three
times a day, however, the commercial distillates are not as cost effective as using the fresh herb.
Coriander may also be similarly useful although it is not as well studied. Cilantro does not facilitate the
removal of heavy metals out of the body; this usually requires DMPS or DMSA with Chlorella and
sauna treatment. The use of Cilantro with DMSA or DMPS has actually been documented to show an
increase in motor nerves following DMSA or DMPS administration.48
Porphrazyme
This is a special form of chlorophyll from Biotics Labs that seems to be especially useful for mercury
detoxification. It consists of a group of different porphyrins that facilitates metal excretion. In nature,
porphyrins are used to shuttle metals to different systems. The porphryn ring structure of chlorophyll,
which contains magnesium, is similar to the porphryn ring structure in hemoglobin, which contains iron.
Porphrazyme can assist mercury removal and is generally taken one to three tablets three times a day for
one to two years.
Minerals
It is important to have a generally healthy mineral base. It appears that the body works better with toxic
metals than no metals at all. Enzymes have certain binding sites that require a metal for them to perform
their function as a catalyst. When patients are deficient in magnesium, sodium, zinc and other minerals,
the body does not let go of the toxic metals very easily. A person with mercury contamination often
becomes zinc deficient and the functioning of copper and other minerals in the body will be
compromised as well. So, it will be important to have a healthy mineral base. Selenium,49,50, 51 is a
particularly important trace mineral in mercury detoxification and should be used for most people.
If a person does not have a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid secreted by their stomach then it will
be very difficult to ionized mineral supplements to absorb them properly. There is a sternal reflex
present on the lowest rib approximately one inch lateral to the midline. If this area on the rib is tender to
palpation there is a strong likelihood the person is deficient in hydrochloric acid and would benefit from
supplementation. This is especially common in individuals over 50 years old, and also in individuals
with food allergies. One to six capsules of Betaine hydrochloride is generally taken with the first bite of
every meal for proper digestive support. The Betaine can be discontinued once the reflex point in non-
tender to deep palpation.
Optimize Bowel Flora.
It will be important to consider use of a probiotic that has more strains than just Lactobacillus
acidophilus. Consider using one that has many different strains and in high concentration or one of the
preparations that have soil based organisms such as Bacillus subtilis. There is some concern that FOS
used in many products may be counterproductive by encouraging the growth of certain pathogenic
anaerobes such as Klebseilla. There is some suggestion that soil-based organism products may be
particularly useful in recolonizing the gut.
DMPS
DMPS (Sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate) is an acid with a free sulfhydryl group that forms
complexes with heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, copper, silver, and tin. It is a
water-soluble complexing agent. It was developed in the former Soviet Union by Petrunkin53 and has
been used to treat metal intoxication since the 1960s in the former Soviet Union. Because it had potential
use as an antidote for the chemical warfare agent Lewisite it was not available outside of the Soviet
Union until 1978, at which time Heyl, a small pharmaceutical company in Berlin, Germany started to
produce it. It has an abundance of international research data and an excellent safety record in removing
mercury from the body54 and has been used safely in Europe as Dimaval for many years.55 56 57 58 59I It is
registered in Germany with the BGA (their FDA) for the treatment of mercury poisoning and in fact is
available in Germany without the need of a prescription.
American toxicologists working with Iraqi physicians first used it for treating people who had eaten
bread prepared from grain seeds that had been treated with a mercury-containing fungicide.60 The use of
DMPS to treat mercury toxicity is well established and accepted.61 DMPS and DMSA have been shown
to reverse systemic autoimmune disease in rats.65
Both DMPS and DMSA have sulfur which binds very tightly to mercury. DMPS has at least three
advantages over DMSA. First, it appears to remain in the body for a longer time than DMSA.62
Secondly, it acts more quickly than DMSA, probably because its distribution is both intracellular and
extracellular.63 Thirdly, preparations of DMPS are available for intravenous or intramuscular use, while
DMSA is available only in oral form.64
DMPS does not cross the blood brain barrier, or the barrier into certain body areas that are
"compartmentalized" and are areas of low perfusion. Therefore, it will also be important to pretreat with
cilantro so the mercury in the brain can be removed. MSM and chlorella should also be used for at least
three weeks prior to initiating DMPS treatment. Combining high does of Chlorella with, before, during,
and after the challenge test can dramatically increase the amount of mercury mobilized by the challenge
and excreted out of the body.
DMPS is a prescription chemical that can be ordered by a physician through a number of compounding
pharmacies. The dose is 3 mg/kg of body weight which is injected slowly intravenously over five
minutes. This is followed by a 90 minute or 24 hour urine test for mercury. The dose is 3 mg per kg once
a month and it is generally given in an equal amount of procaine 1% without preservatives. DMPS is
expensive and may not be required to detoxify mercury. High doses of chlorella and cilantro are far
more cost effective and have been found to be very effective in Germany for mercury detoxification.
Intravenous DMPS should not be used in patients that still have silver amalgam fillings. The DMPS may
chelate out significant amounts of mercury and precipitate seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, or severe
fatigue. DMPS is not mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic. Even though DMPS has a high affinity for
mercury, the highest affinity appears to be for copper and zinc.66 If one uses DMPS, it will be important
to supplement with the minerals to prevent a zinc or copper deficiency. One precaution is that DMPS
should be given over a five-minute period since hypotensive effects are possible when given
intravenously as a bolus.67 68 Other possible side effects include allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Sulfur Bearing Amino Acids
Sulfhydryl containing compounds have the ability to chelate metals. The sulfur containing amino acids
methionine, and cysteine, cysteine's acetylated analogue N-acetylcysteine (NAC), S-adenosyl-
methinoinine, alpha-lipoic acid, other salts of succinic acid such as magnesium succinate, and the tri-
peptide glutathione all contribute to the chelation and excretion of metals from the human body.69 One
of the sulfur bearing amino acids appears to be particularly useful in mercury detoxification.
Redoxal consists of dl-methionine and the typical dosage is one to two capsules before each meal.
DMSA and NAC
DMSA (meso-2, 3-dimercaptosucccinic acid) is a form of succinic acid but is a synthetic chemical not
normally used in its routine functioning biochemistry. It is a much more effective mercury chelating
agent then d-penicillamine.70 71 It is the only chelating agent other than cilantro and d-penicillamine that
penetrates brain cells.
The dose is of DMSA is 500 mg twice a day for two weeks. The DMSA is then stopped for two weeks
and then the cycle is repeated. In children, the dose is one half the adult dose (250 mg for six year old,
while a two year old receives 125 mg DMSA). Patients six years or younger seem to do much better
with DMSA relative to DMPS. The average adult needs about two years on this protocol. DMSA costs
$6.00 for one 500 mg tablet if written as a prescription, but is much less if it is filled at a compounding
pharmacy. MSM will help move the DMSA out of the kidney. One should do a urine mercury level by
collecting at 90 minutes. It is important to recognize that the sulfhydryl compounds in DMSA will make
the urine smell very sulfurous. It is helpful to communicate this to the patient so they are not taken by
surprise.
Potentiating Agents
Hyaluronic acid is a major carbohydrate component of the extracellular matrix and can be found in the
skin, joints, eyes and most other organs and tissues. It has a simple, repeated disaccharide linear
copolymer structure that is completely conserved throughout a large span of the evolutionary tree,
indicating a fundamental biological importance. Through its complex interactions with matrix
components and cells, hyaluronic acid has multifaceted roles in biology utilizing both its
physicochemical and biological properties. These biological roles range from a purely structural function
in the extracellular matrix to developmental regulation through effects of cellular behavior via control of
the tissue macro- and microenvironments, as well as through direct receptor mediated effects on gene
expression.73 Hyaluronic acid is utilized in many chemotherapy protocols as a potentiating agent.74
Hyaluronic acid is also being utilized for many novel applications in medicine.75 76 Personal experience
has shown that the addition of 2 ml with the DMPS tends to improve the excretion of mercury by two-
fold. There is virtually no toxicity with this agent.
Homeopathic Therapies
The primary target organ in which inorganic mercury accumulates and expresses toxic effects is the
kidney. There is a danger that the mercury may lodge in the kidney, which may damage it if appropriate
measures are not taken.72 Homeopathic drainage remedies are helpful to allow the mercury to pass
through the kidney and minimize potential toxicity. One of the commonly used remedies would be
Solidago. Once extracellular detoxification is completed there are a number of effective homeopathic
heavy metal or mercury remedies that are also useful.
Amalgam Removal Protocol
Two Months Prior to Removal Do the Following Four Items:
1. Vitamins and minerals. Start on vitamin E 400 units per day and use a high quality mineral
supplement. Selenium 2-400 mcg should be part of the mineral replacements. Deficiencies of
hydrochloric acid will impair mineral absorption. One should check for adequacy of hydrochloric acid
secretion and take the appropriate acid supplement if indicated. The sternal reflex point described above
is a useful tool in this determination.
2. Start on chlorella. Establish the highest tolerated level. If excessive mercury is mobilized, the patient
will become symptomatic with nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, a flu-like illness, and headache. The lower
the tolerated amount, the more intracellular mercury toxicity is present. The tolerated level ranges often
from 1/10 teaspoon to one tablespoon (1/2-14 capsules). Give no more than one tablespoon (14 caps)
/day initially. Stay on the daily dose days 1-8. On day 9 and 10, take ten-fold that amount, but no more
than 3 tablespoons (60 caps) /day. On day 11 and 12, pause. And then, start over. Take with meals in
divided doses.
3. MSM should be used as described above.
4. Cilantro, fresh or pesto, is also used as described above.
The Day of Removal and Afterwards
1. If the patient were compromised it would be best to remove only one filling and observe how they
tolerate the procedure. If they tolerate the removal they can then proceed to one or two quadrant removal
based on the number of fillings present.
2. The day of the dental work (amalgam removal), take 20 caps Chlorella immediately before dentistry.
After the fillings are removed, open 2 capsules, sprinkle onto teeth, mix with saliva, and keep in mouth
for 10 minutes to mop up metal residues. Don't swallow. Instead, spit out and rinse mouth. Repeat both
steps after procedure is over. Repeat again that night. Then resume regular program. Also, take extra
MSM and chlorella.
3. The mercury /tin/silver antibody titer may rise over 2-6 weeks after the first removal. Don't remove
more fillings during this time in order to avoid acute "immune breakdowns." Either finish all 4
quadrants in the first weeks or have a session every 2-3 months.
4. Don't stop detox program until patient is asymptomatic. This can be as long as 3-4 years in some
cases.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
Harrison IA; Some electromchemical features of the in vivo corrosion of dental
amalgams. J Appl Electrochem 19: 301-310, 1989.
