Actually, it was a big duh on your part.

Excuse me if I don't believe you. It was posted right under part 1.

<snip more garbage>

Jan

Jeez, its 6:00am!

Joel

Not interested in what you think, or your whiny excuses not to deal with the
issue.

Blood-Brain Barrier
The blood-brain barrier is a normal mechanism that is supposed to restrict the
entry of substances into the brain. The transfer of substances such as
nutrients, waste products, oxygen and carbon dioxide, hormones, and poisons in
and out of the cells of the body is accomplished through the smallest of blood
vessels, the capillaries. The capillaries of the brain have a special
structural design to provide extra protection for the critical brain cells.
Unlike capillaries elsewhere in the body, the cells lining the brain
capillaries are overlapped and less porous. This special structure prevents
many substances from passing into or out of the brain that would easily pass to
and from other body cells.

Substances that can dissolve in fats readily penetrate the membranes of cells,
as these membranes have large amounts of fat-containing molecules. Elemental
mercury vapor and methylmercury are fat-soluble and therefore easily penetrate
cell membranes, including those of the placenta and the blood-brain barrier.
This barrier does, however, selectively allow passage of certain smaller
water-soluble substances necessary to the brain, such as glucose and essential
amino acids. Mercury vapor has no electrical charge (non-ionic) and is
fat-soluble, which accounts for its extremely potent toxicity in the elemental
vapor form. The oxidation of mercury vapor occurs in the blood and in the body
cells. Ionic mercury is the harmful form of mercury because it is chemically
active and can readily combine with tissues, exerting its toxic influence in
that manner.

Elemental mercury vapor, after entering the bloodstream, is oxidized through
the mercurous into the mercuric ion. These reactions requires several minutes
for completion; because of this delay, elemental mercury stays in the blood
long enough to reach all tissues and organs. In its elemental form, mercury
easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier and infiltrates nerve cells, where
final oxidation proceeds. By easily overcoming the blood-brain and placental
barriers, elemental mercury is particularly dangerous during long-term or
chronic exposures, representing a potentially serious hazard in many
occupations. Once mercury has penetrated the blood-brain barrier, its oxidation
to the ionic form is completed. This ionic mercury now has an electrical charge
and is no longer fat-soluble. Ionic mercury is very active chemically and
readily combines with body substances, thereby exerting its toxic effect.

This ionic mercury can no longer easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and
is very resistant to removal from the brain. Mercury is retained in brain
tissue for extremely long periods of time. Autopsy studies have demonstrated a
definite correlation between levels of mercury found in the brain and the
number and surfaces of dental amalgam fillings present. When mercury ions are
absorbed into the bloodstream, even in minute amounts (less than 1.0 parts per
million), they are capable of impairing the blood-brain system within 4-6
hours, allowing passage of normally barred plasma solutes into the brain from
the blood, that otherwise would be denied entry. Mercury will not only damage
the brain but it will also increase exposure of the brain to other harmful
substances in the blood. The blood-brain barrier is also an active site for the
regulation of the uptake of metabolites from the blood to the nervous system.

The impairment of the blood-brain barrier, together with the possible
inhibition of certain associated enzymes by the mercury, is probably
responsible for the great reduction of the uptake of amino acids and other
metabolites by the nervous system after mercury administration. Amino acids are
the building blocks of proteins which are the structural materials used to
construct the cells of the body, along with physiological materials such as
enzymes and hormones. There is no scientific evidence that brain cells can be
regenerated. This is why mercury damage to the brain is permanent and
irreversible. Since mercury vapor readily traverses the placental membrane, the
oxidation of mercury vapor in the fetal blood or at the fetal blood-brain
barrier itself no doubt results in damage to the fetal blood-brain barrier. But
the damage to the fetal blood-brain barrier may be even more important,
preventing the uptake of vital amino acids for the construction of the
irreplaceable brain cells.

There is absolutely no doubt that exposure to methylmercury in pregnant women
presents a serious threat to the fetus. A number of studies have described the
effects on infants of prenatal exposure to methylmercury, while the exposed
pregnant mothers exhibited little or no observable signs or symptoms from
exposure. The neurological effects on these infants were as severe as cerebral
palsy and even death, but less easily recognizable symptoms were more common,
such as delayed mental development, delayed speech development, delayed motor
development, and learning deficits. The major influence of mercury vapor on the
fetus is not the promotion of birth defects; but rather the toxic effect on the
body cells, particularly those of the brain. In spite of the wealth of
information strongly demonstrating the potential risk of elemental mercury
vapor to the unborn child, the scientific community has not yet seen fit to
responsibly investigate this awesome question.

"It is sobering to realize that the original "quacks" were dentists who
advocated the use of mercury amalgam and that most dentists are still
advocating it today."---"The maximum amount of mercury that the Environment
Protection Agency allows people to be exposed to is 5,000 times smaller than
the permissible amount of lead exposure; in other words the EPA apparently
considers mercury to be 5,000 times more toxic than lead."--Marcia Basciano DDS

Fertility
Mercury has been shown to pass the placental membrane in pregnant women and
cause permanent damage to the brain of a developing baby. A special
relationship regarding mercury distribution exists between the mother and the
fetus. Much higher levels of methylmercury have been reported in cord blood
versus that contained in maternal blood. In animal experiments it has also been
shown that there is a much higher accumulation of mercury in the fetal brain
tissue than in the maternal brain tissue. Mercury exposure leads to hormone and
immune disturbances that can reduce fertility. Reduced fertility among dental
assistants with occupational exposure to mercury is a common problem. Many of
the female fertility cycle events are related to posterior pituitary activity,
so amalgam is another factor that can disturb fertility as well as functions
unrelated to pregnancy. Estrogen function can also be influenced by amalgam.
Blood serum phosphorus is a guideline to endocrine balance. If the phosphorus
is below 3.5 mg%, there is an endocrine disturbance, somewhat related to the
degree of drop below 3.5. The most effective hormones in balancing the
phosphorus level are the sex hormones. All males and all females produce both
estrogen and testosterone. The males produce more testosterone and the females
more estrogen, but there is a balance between the two in both sexes. Small
doses of both hormones are used in both sexes to balance the serum phosphorus.

The menstrual and reproductive cycles are controlled by a very complex feedback
mechanism between the ovaries, hypothalamus, and the pituitary. In the case of
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), there is a negative feedback relationship
with estradiol at all times. When estrogen levels are low, the release of
leutinizing hormone (LH) is increased, and when estrogen levels are high, LH is
decreased. This ebb and flow controls the hormonal function leading to
ovulation and the mid-cycle surge of both LH and FSH and the reduction of LH
and FSH at the luteal phase relate to a feedback relationship with
progesterone. Progesterone is not secreted by the ovary until just before
ovulation. This, in turn, provokes ovulation--progesterone secretion, which
undergoes a tremendous increase. The high levels of progesterone and estrogen
associated with the luteal phase combine to suppress FSH and LH during the
corpus luteum phase. Mercury inhibits release of FSH from the pituitary by
damaging membranes of cells in the anterior pituitary.

Chronic inhalation of mercury vapor from amalgam fillings for twenty years or
more can result in accumulation of pathologic quantities of mercury in the
brain and other critical organs and tissues. Human autopsy studies of accident
victims have shown a positive correlation between the numbers of mercury
amalgam dental fillings and the concentration of mercury in the brain. The
onset of clinically observable signs or symptoms of mercury toxicity may take
as long as 20-30 years to appear, depending on a person's biochemical
individuality. Lubricated condoms and birth control creams or gels have mercury
as the primary spermicide. It is not required that the word mercury appear on
the label, as it is assumed that everyone knows mercury is in there. The uterus
is a collection center for mercury. Hal Huggins reported that more than 90% of
the imbalances, created by sex hormone disturbances were corrected within a few
weeks of amalgam removal. His patients noted differences in fertility, less
pain during periods, relief from endometriosis, and a trend toward optimization
of the days of menstrual flow. PMS is one of the most common symptoms to change
after amalgam removal. Amenorrhea, or the complete absence of a menstrual flow,
responds to amalgam removal. This is usually in women in their twenties or
thirties. Even in women who have gone through a sort of premature menopause in
their early forties, the periods may start up again for a couple of years. This
has resulted in surprise pregnancies. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least
six months after amalgam removal.

The Placenta
The circulatory systems of the mother and fetus are separated by a very thin
membrane in the placenta. The purpose of this membrane is to ensure that there
is no actual mixing of maternal blood with the fetal blood. This placental
membrane was formerly called the placental barrier. Its function was assumed to
be one of protecting the fetus from possible damage from any of the potentially
toxic drugs or substances that might be present in the mother's blood. The
Thalidomide disaster in 1961 demonstrated that the passage of toxic substances
from mother to fetus did occur and could result in tragic birth defects and
deformities. Mercury reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen and, although
fetal blood flow might be normal, the reduced oxygen content of the blood would
parallel the hypoxic condition. Mercury may affect the balance or status of
most of the body's essential nutrients. No scientific study has ever addressed
the relationship between chronic mercury exposure and placental weight/birth
weight. From the time of fertilization until birth, the offspring is dependent
upon maternal sources for all nutrition.

There are four major areas that are considered to be critical or determinants
in the outcome of fetal development: (1) the mother's nutritional status, (2)
the structural and functional quality of the placenta, (3) the genetic makeup
of the offspring, and (4) the presence of physical, chemical, or mechanical
insults to mother and child during pregnancy. Mercury can also affect the
satisfactory outcome of fetal development in all four of these areas.

A possibly contributory factor in cadmium and mercury fetotoxicity may be an
effect on the transmembrane transport of nutrients, such as amino acids, across
the placenta to the fetus. An inhibition of nutrient transport may cause fetal
death, congenital malformations, or growth retardation. The toxic effects of
cadmium and mercury may be found in the placenta where presence of these metals
prevent the passage of required nutrients to the embryo/fetus. The placental
membrane will stop many substances. However, it is made of fat molecules, and
mercury vapor and methylmercury, being fat-soluble, will penetrate the
membrane. The lack of knowledge concerning the mechanisms of mercury toxicity
as they relate to the human reproductive cycle is compounded by the scarcity of
scientific studies investigating the effects of mercury vapor. The majority of
scientific studies on mercury have dealt with methylmercury or inorganic
mercury. Very little attention has been paid to the threat posed by low-level
chronic exposures to toxic metals.

A great deal of the available scientific data was derived from observation of
acute exposures where a large single injection of the toxic metal being
investigated was administered and the results examined. While there is no
barrier preventing the transfer of mercury, there is a slight barrier to the
transfer of lead, and the greatest barrier is to the transfer of cadmium.
Mercury vapor enters the body and its cells far more readily than most other
forms of mercury. Researchers have found that the placental transfer of mercury
varies with the chemical form of mercury; that is, methylmercury is more
readily transferable than mercuric nitrate.

The mercury concentrations in the placenta and the infant's hair are directly
related to the infant's body burden of mercury. Total mercury and
methylmercury, cadmium, and iron were higher in cord blood than in maternal
blood, whereas copper and zinc were lower. Significant positive correlations
were observed between maternal and cord blood with regard to total mercury and
methylmercury, lead, cadmium, and manganese content. Significant correlations
were also observed between many pairs of metals, particularly in the umbilical
cord and its blood. These results suggest a more serious and complicated
influence of heavy metals on infants than on their mothers. The presence of
selenium in the placenta can modify and greatly reduce the transplacental
passage of mercury to the embryo/fetus.

Environmental chemicals taken into the body may considerably increase the fetal
body burden of mercury and its concentration in certain tissues, like the liver
or thyroid, after mercury vapor inhalation. Most scientists and researchers are
ignoring elemental mercury vapor in their research and in their recommendations
for critical future research areas. These researchers either do not know or
have forgotten that, once in the blood, elemental mercury vapor remains in its
elemental form for minutes, during which time it can penetrate most tissues
easily. It is this capability that permits it to also readily move through the
placenta to the embryo or fetus, as does organic mercury. Most of the published
research has assumed that the only exposure to elemental mercury vapor is from
a minute amount contained in the atmosphere. Most research therefore has only
focused on probable exposure from dietary mercury, which is usually in the form
of organic methylmercury. A glaring omission has been made by not considering
the exposure to elemental mercury vapor from mercury amalgam dental fillings.

Chronic Fatigue
The formation of hemoglobin can be impaired by the presence of mercury, which
shows up as increased amounts of porphyrin, a building block of hemoglobin, in
the urine. Porphyrin is a layered molecule with the first layer consisting of
eight carboxyl groups. When enzymes cut off the carboxyl fragments, what is
left is a core molecule known as heme. Heme has two energy functions involving
its attachment to globin to form hemoglobin, used by the body to transport
oxygen, and it can also undergo a transformation down a chemical cascade of
enzymes called the cytochrome oxidase system in which the molecules of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are formed in the Kreb's cycle within the
mitochondria of the cells. Mercury appears to create interference in porphyrin
metabolism; the result being an identifiable increase in the urine of porphyrin
breakdown products in lieu of energy forms. In serious chronic fatigue
conditions, the excretion is as high as 2100 micrograms.
The levels of hemoglobin in chronic fatigue patients can run below normal.
Readings below 12 grams clearly indicate inadequate blood levels of hemoglobin.
But, many with chronic fatigue have normal or even high levels of hemoglobin.
Often these people are referred to psychiatrists under the assumption that they
are suffering from mental/emotional stress disorders. The oxygen binding sites
in hemoglobin are a favorite of mercury. When enough mercury combines with the
hemoglobin, the body experiences chronic fatigue due to lack of oxygen
transport, and may create more red blood cells in compensation. This would show
up as normal or high hemoglobin readings. Since the body cannot block the daily
mercury doses released from amalgams, it will typically make more red blood
cells to compensate for this daily contamination. Physicians can easily make
the mistake of thinking that they couldn't possibly be hypoxic or anemic with
normal hemoglobin. Once mercury is bound to hemoglobin, it will typically stay
there for the lifetime of the red blood cell, which is approximately 120 days.
Since one molecule of hemoglobin has four oxygen-binding sites, then one atom
of mercury will drop the oxygen-carrying capacity of that hemoglobin molecule
by 25% after binding. If two atoms of mercury attach, that hemoglobin molecule
will have a 50% reduction of its oxygen-carrying capacity, etc. After amalgam
removal, the oxygen saturation in venous blood rises dramatically.