Mercury Detoxification
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2003 Jan / Feb VOL V NO 1.
By: Deborah Baker
(Editor: This article has been taken from the internet to highlight the importance of Hg poisoning.)
Dr Baker states: "I have been in practice for over 21 years. Over the past 8-10 years I have specialized in mercury detoxification, post-amalgam removal for literally thousands of patients with incredible results. Everything I do is based in science, the knowledge of the biochemistry and physiology of the human and how that needs adjusting in different syndromes."
Mercury Detoxification
Detoxification of mercury from within the body’s cells is
probably one of the most controversial areas of alternative medicine today. The
truth has to lie within the realm of biochemical and physiological function of
the body. To assume that a particular herb or supplement will bind or chelate
out mercury just because it does in the environment, for example, has absolutely
no scientific or biochemical merit. We must look at the processes involved in
detoxification and support or augment them.
Detoxification - A cure?
In order to cure someone and to restore health, a
practitioner has to affect the mechanisms responsible for clearing the body of
toxins and then reconstitute health.
In particular, with Hg poisoning, to leave detoxification in the hands of a
non-knowledgable person is a risk in my opinion. We must properly understand the
mechanisms of toxicity with respect to anatomy, physiology and particularly the
biochemistry of what is actually happening with the patient and how to properly
rid them of this problem.
Do not give all kinds of cleansing/detoxification products at the same time, it
creates confusion within the body as to what path it should follow and the
patient just gets sicker because of the various die-offs. Things like parasites;
Candida, CFS, Fibromyalgia etc are often sequel of Hg poisoning. And as long as
Hg is a problem, until the metal is removed from the body and a path of
permanent correction can begin, the same problem will keep recurring. You need
to treat this in "layers" as per patient’s tolerance.
The prevalence of Candida in mercury patients is the body’s reaction to the
metal, it over produces yeast and abnormal flora in the intestinal tract to
"chelate" the metal and protect the body. There are varying opinions
on this. What is known is that mercury causes the production of abnormal flora,
particularly anti-biotic resistant flora, which I believe, allows Candida to set
up shop and go nuts. Therefore, what is the point of going through strict
Candida cleanses when the amalgams are still present...allowing it to re-grow.
The same with parasites: We know that mercury severely hampers protein synthesis. Our bodies rely on proteases, protein based enzymes, which break down foreign protein such as parasites, to eliminate parasites. When the production of these enzymes is compromised, what is the advantage of doing parasite flushes until the mercury-releasing amalgams are removed?
However, having said all that, there are some basic biochemical processes which must function relatively well, before the process of detoxification can begin. First and foremost is the ability of the liver to detoxify effectively.
LIVER DETOXIFICATION
Approximately 25% of detoxification, occurs in the intestines
- the rest for the most part happens in the liver. The liver clears more than 2
litres of blood every minute.
When working well, the Kupffer cells of the liver rid the blood of 99% of
bacteria and many toxins, by means of macrophages, white blood cells that engulf
and destroy the offending agent. This whole macrophagal cascade of reactions and
the cells themselves are augmented by a wonderful complex called 1,3-D Beta
Glucan. [Linda’s Note: See post on BETA GLUCANS] These cells do not normally
create antibodies which would cause over reaction to antigens and hence
allergies.
When the liver is damaged, however, filtration breaks down and more antibodies are created especially to E. coli, other bacteria and dietary proteins such as gluten from wheat and casein or albumin from dairy.
Now these antigens have slipped past the liver filtration to the circulation and precipitated the immune response. This in turn causes an increase production of anti-bodies and a constant alarm is set off resulting in perpetual inflammation - metabolism upset and eventually disease occurs.
Detox - Phase I and Phase II
To truly understand detoxification and what will be
effective, one must comprehend the steps, which occur within the liver and
supplement the needed co-factors. The liver essentially detoxifies in two
phases, each one preparing the offending agent for expulsion by the liver into
the feces. The details are out of purview of this article.
Homeopathic Remedies
I have often found that I can only use these at first with
some people, as they are so sick. Commonly it is the emotional level I address
first, the fear, depressions, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, then on to the
physical symptoms.
The individual approach needs to be followed. Multiple homeopathic combinations is fruitless. These are energetic remedies and basically you are instructing the body to shift in so many directions at the same time that the end result is nothing much happens or the patient gets sicker.
A good starting plan is to address the emotional component, then proceed to increase lymphatic drainage, then liver and kidney support over a period of time. This helps the body get ready to detox, when you start using the nutritional chelators to move the mercury out.
Remember that detoxification should be slow, careful, and individualized. Never rush, never do more than one flush at a time....you have to "nudge" the body back into line.
This article is used with permission.To find out more about mercury fillings and other health issues, please go to Dr Baker’s website at: http://www.y2khealthanddetox.com/
