Digestion
Through a process called pleomorphism, similar to metamorphosis in which a worm
becomes a butterfly, many bacteria alter themselves in response to their
immediate environment and become different bacteria. These changes in body
function lead to differences in their personal biological wastes, which is the
cause of many problems. As the stomach environment changes with the addition of
new and different foods, some bacteria can undergo a pleomorphic change to
accommodate the digestive needs of the new food. By the time a child is two
years old, and their teeth have erupted, there may be as many as 400 variations
of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and the child is ready for the basic
challenges of digestion. When mercury enters the digestive tract, it has an
effect on the bacteria that reside there. Mercury readily mixes with the foods
and is swallowed with it, then contacting the friendly bacteria.

Bacteria and Yeast
When people have mercury amalgams or just has elevated mercury in their body,
the friendly bacteria (probiotics) will convert the mercury into methyl
mercury, which is at least 100 times more toxic than ordinary mercury. Research
shows that oral bacteria, yeast and probiotics all methylate mercury, so you
should minimize any contact between the bacteria and your mercury. The
methylation of mercury could explain some of the adverse reactions reported by
parents and patients who have begun detox with massive doses of probiotics to
correct dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis is a pressing problem, but the production of large amounts of methyl
mercury is much worse. Methyl mercury exacerbates damage to the nervous system
and even further promotes dysbiosis by further compromising the intestinal
immune system. One theory holds that the body deliberately builds up the
population of candia as a coping strategy to deal with the heavy metal
poisoning. The body actually fosters the presence of candida in a heavy metal
toxic patient because the cell walls of the candida binds up the mercury and
other toxic metals, providing a measure of relief. If the candida cell walls
are destroyed, the cell walls release their toxic metals back into the system,
causing symptoms. This release of heavy metals is possibly one explantion of
Herxheimer's reaction, in which the patient feels more ill, and even more
toxic, after the candida is attacked and killed. By using NDF (Nanocolloidal
Detox Factors), an oral detox supplement, containing cell wall broken
probiotics, the bacteriocins from the probiotics drive pathogenic bacteria and
yeast away from their territory without breaking their cell walls. This
competitive exclusion effect is safer than breaking the cells of the candida.

Mercury may kill the bacteria, but the ones that are stronger undergo
pleomorphic change and become more resistant to mercury. These altered
intestinal bacteria almost digest your food properly, but not quite. The
resultant almost digested proteins are absorbed into the bloodstream. But,
while almost the right shape and form, they do not fool the immune system. The
immune system sees these undigested proteins as foreign protein and immediately
sets up an antigen/antibody reaction, creating an allergic reaction. This is
often how food allergies are created. Mercury can turn every meal into an
immune challenge instead of the nutritional boost it is supposed to be. Altered
bacteria also encourage the rotting of proteins (called putrefaction).
Putrefaction of proteins results in the production of more toxins interfering
with the actual absorptive mechanism from the intestinal lining.

As a result of these injuries, the selective absorption of the intestinal tract
is impaired, allowing seepage of partially processed foods through the lining
into the body itself. The lymphatic drainage system picks these up and places
them in the blood. Leaky gut syndrome is one of the labels applied to this
situation. There is another connection with root canal filled teeth and
digestive problems. The common denominator appears to be toxic immune damage
from toxins found in the periodontal ligament surrounding the root canal tooth.
These toxins are formed within the root structure of the tooth itself,
regardless of what is used to fill the root canal. Once formed, they migrate to
the outside of the root, to the interphase between bone and teeth. When one
bites down, as during chewing, a few molecules of the toxins are forced up the
root surface into the mouth. From the mouth, toxins are mixed with saliva and
foods and swallowed into the stomach and intestinal tract. These toxins are
unaffected by acids and enzymes in the stomach. There is nothing known in
biochemistry or toxicology that is as toxic per volume as root canal generated
toxins. It only takes microminute amounts of these acute dentally associated
toxins only a minute or two to inactivate many of the body's most critical
enzymes. The first layer of cells in the intestine in contact with the food is
called the epithelium. These epithelial cells contain glycolytic enzymes that
are critical in the production of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pepsin--digestive
enzymes.

As toxins from root canal teeth are released into the saliva, they mix with
other components of the saliva, one of which will be mercury if there are any
silver mercury amalgam filings in the teeth. In addition to root canal toxins,
several other toxic chemicals are produced simultaneously in the periodontal
ligament space. Among these are hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. As this
team of chemicals is exposed to mercury, an immediate reaction occurs between
them and a new "dual" toxin is formed that can easily enter the epithelial
cells of the intestinal tract, inhibiting the production of trypsin,
chymotrypsin, and pepsin that are necessary for complete digestion. This leads
to chronic constipation, etc. The most significant factor to good digestion is
thorough chewing of food, but chewing can trigger the release of these vicious
toxins--and if you don't chew your food well, it will ferment and putrefy.

Diarrhea
Another reaction of mercury in the gut can be diarrhea. Diarrhea is an
effective response by the body to rid the G.I. tract of harmful or toxic
substances that may have been ingested. After an average of eight years from
the time the body begins to fight the presence of mercury seriously, there is
the onset of an alternating pattern of diarrhea and constipation, eventually
settling into chronic constipation. This condition of chronic constipation
leads to parasitic infestation, causing the patient to become even sicker.
Parasites not only rob these patients of essential nutrients, but they supply
their own toxic by-products as well, which takes energy from the immune cells,
liver and kidneys.

Leukemia
There is a significant cause and effect relationship between mercury amalgam
fillings and the white blood cell count. A normal unchallenged, white cell
count will run between five and ten thousand cells per cubic milliliter.
Amalgam removal is often followed by drops in the high levels of white blood
cells seen in leukemia-diagnosed persons. Even the presence of one or two
amalgams would increase the white cell level to 7,000 or 8,000. Some
researchers, like Hal Huggins, believe that leukemia might be the result of a
valiant attempt on the part of a super-healthy immune system to rid the body of
a challenge that the system considers extremely bad. Sometimes, the day after
having fillings removed, the white count will drop over 10,000 to a more
healthy level.

Diabetes
Mercury bonds to the insulin molecule. Insulin, the molecule of question in
diabetes, has three sulfur-binding sites. Should mercury attach to one of
these, there will be an interference with normal biological function. In
diabetics, the daily requirements for insulin usually drop to less than half of
what they had been before dental revision. It's important to monitor blood
sugar changes after revision, as insulin overdose can occur.

Alzheimer's Disease
There is conclusive scientific research showing a direct correlation between
the numbers and surfaces of amalgam fillings and the mercury content of brain
tissue. Autopsy studies show high levels of mercury in the brain tissue of
Alzheimer's victims. Chronic inhalation of low-level mercury vapor can inhibit
polymerization of brain tubulin essential for formation of microtubules.

Hormones
The affinity of mercury for the pituitary gland was first identified by Stock
in 1940. Autopsy studies in 1975 revealed that, contrary to accepted belief
that the kidney was the prime accumulator of inorganic mercury, the thyroid and
pituitary retain and accumulate more inorganic mercury than the kidneys. It has
been well documented that mercury is an endocrine system disrupting chemical in
animals and people, disrupting function of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland,
enzyme production processes, and many hormonal functions at low levels of
exposure.

People with high mercury levels in their bodies have more hormonal
disturbances, immune disturbances, recurring fungal infections, hair loss and
allergies. Very few periodontists or dentists recognize amalgam mercury as an
etiological (causing) factor in the development of periodontal disease.
Hormones that are most often affected by mercury are thyroid, insulin,
estrogen, testosterone, both anterior and posterior pituitary, and adrenaline.
Almost all hormones have binding sights capable of connecting to metabolic
cofactors, but mercury can bind here, too. Mercury frequently has a stronger
affinity for these binding sites than the normal activators; even though the
hormone is present in the bloodstream, it may not be able to act as it is
supposed to act.

Mercury (especially mercury vapor or organic mercury) rapidly crosses the
blood-brain barrier and is stored preferentially in the pituitary gland,
thyroid gland, hypothalamus, and occipital cortex in direct proportion to the
number and extent of dental amalgam surfaces. Mercury, through its affects on
the endocrine system, is documented to cause other reproductive problems
including infertility, low sperm counts, abnormal sperm, endometritis, PMS,
adverse effects on reproductive organs, etc. In general, immune activation from
toxins such as heavy metals, resulting in cytokine release and abnormalities of
the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, can cause changes in the brain,
fatigue, and severe psychological symptoms such as depression, profound
fatigue, muscular-skeletal pain, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal and
neurological problems as are seen in CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune
thyroiditis. Symptoms usually improve significantly after amalgam removal. A
direct mechanism involving mercury's inhibition of hormones and cellular
enzymatic processes by binding with the hydroxyl radical (SH) in amino acids,
appears to be a major part of the connection to allergic/immune
reactive/autoimmune conditions such as autism/ADHD, schizophrenia, lupus,
scleroderma, eczema, psoriasis and allergies.

Mercury inhibits the activity of dipeptyl peptidase (DPP IV) which is required
in the digestion of the milk protein casein as well as xanthine oxidase.
Studies involving a large sample of autistic and schizophrenic patients found
that over 90% of those tested had high levels of the neurotoxic milk protein
beta-casomorphine-7 in their blood and urine and defective enzymatic processes
for digesting milk protein. Elimination of milk products from the diet improves
the condition. ADHD populations have high levels of mercury and recover after
mercury detoxification. As mercury levels are reduced, the protein binding is
reduced and improvement in the enzymatic process occurs. Additional cellular
level enzymatic effects of mercury binding with proteins include blockage of
sulfur oxidation processes, enzymatic processes involving vitamins B6 and B12,
effects on cytochrome-C energy processes, along with mercury's adverse effects
on mineral levels of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and lithium.

Thyroid
Organic mercury causes severe damage to both the endocrine and neural systems.
Studies have documented that mercury causes hypothyroidism, damage of thyroid
RNA, autoimmune thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), and impairment of
conversion of thyroid T4 hormone to the active T3 form. Large percentages of
women have elevated levels of antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) or antithyroid
peroxidase antibody (anti-TP). Slight imbalances of thyroid hormones in
expectant mothers can cause permanent neuropsychiatric damage in the developing
fetus. Hypothyroidism is a well-documented cause of mental retardation.
Maternal hypothyroidism appears to play a role in at least 15% of children
whose IQs are more than 1 standard deviation below the mean, millions of
children. Studies have also established a clear association between the
presence of thyroid antibodies and spontaneous abortions. Hypothyroidism is a
risk factor in spontaneous abortions and infertility.

In pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism, there is a four-times greater
risk for miscarriage during the second trimester than in those who don't. Women
with untreated thyroid deficiency are four-times more likely to have a child
with a developmental disability and lower I.Q. Mercury blocks thyroid hormone
production by occupying iodine-binding sites and inhibiting hormone action even
when the measured thyroid levels appears to be in the proper range. There are
several aspects of iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism-related effects on
fetal and perinatal brain development that can be aggravated or otherwise
affected by the presence of mercury. Mercury has the ability to reduce
cerebellar brain weight through significant reductions in total cell populaton
of the cerebellum. Reductions of total body weight at birth are related to
maternal exposure to mercury. Lead and mercury also have a direct effect on
neuronal development leading to learning deficits. These are the same type of
birth defects produced by maternal iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism.

Mercury can have a negative effect on both iodine and thyroid status. A
pregnant woman with a mouthful of mercury amalgam fillings has a much greater
chance of experiencing some degree of hypothyroidism and/or iodine deficiency
during pregnancy than one without amalgam fillings. Both the pituitary and the
thyroid display an affinity for accumulating mercury. The enzymatic effects of
mercury intoxication can be overcome by the administration of the thyroid
hormone thyroxine. Through a feedback loop, the pituitary releases
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which in effect tells the thyroid how much
thyroxine hormone to release into the blood. Mercury first stimulates and then
suppresses the thyroid function. Chronic intake of mercury for more than ninety
days results in signs of mercury poisoning, together with decreased uptake of
iodine and depression of thyroid hormonal secretion.

The thyroid and hypothalamus regulate body temperature and many metabolic
processes including enzymatic processes that, when inhibited, result in higher
dental decay. Mercury damage thus commonly results in poor body temperature
control, in addition to many problems caused by hormonal imbalances such as
depression. Such hormonal secretions are affected at levels of mercury exposure
much lower than the acute toxicity effects normally tested. Mercury also
damages the blood brain barrier and facilitates penetration of the brain by
other toxic metals and substances. Hypothyroidism is also a major factor in
cardiovascular disease. The thyroid gland has four binding sites for iodine.
When mercury attaches to one of these sites, the hormone activity is altered.
There is a relationship between thyroid function and the nutritional status of
folate, vitamin B12, and methionine. There is also a strong association between
lowered zinc intake, lowered basal metabolic rate, lowered thyroid hormones and
lowered protein utilization.

Mercury affects the nutritional status of folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and
zinc, as well as protein. The thyroid is one of the important glands
influencing dental decay. There is a fluid flow from the pulp chamber, through
the dentin, through the enamel and into the mouth in people who have no dental
decay. Thyroid is part of the endocrine function that controls the direction of
this fluid flow. Low thyroid hormone production allows this fluid flow to run
in the opposite direction--from the mouth, into the enamel, dentin, and pulp
chamber. This fluid brings bacteria and debris from the mouth with it, leading
to dental decay. When the teeth are susceptible to decay, the whole body is
susceptible to degenerative disease. The thyroid is involved with maintenance
of proper body temperature. Most mercury toxic patients have lower than optimum
body temperatures.

The most toxic persons may have temperatures as low as 96.2. When the amalgam
fillings are removed, there is a trend for the temperature to approach 98.6,
sometimes within 24 hours of removing all of the amalgams. The thyroid gland is
controlled by the pituitary gland. When the thyroid is influenced by mercury,
there is a high incidence of unexplained depression and anxiety. A person may
have adequate levels of T3 and T4 hormones, but if the hormones are
contaminated, the person is functionally thyroid deficient. Thyroid imbalances
cause chronic conditions such as clogged arteries and chronic heart failure.
People who test hypothyroid usually have significantly higher homocysteine and
cholesterol, which are documented risk factors in heart disease.

Fifty percent of those also had high levels of homocysteine, and 90% were
either hyperhomocystemic or hypercholesterolemic. The major regulator of
adrenocortical growth and secretion activity is the pituitary hormone ACTH.
ACTH attaches to receptors on the surface of the adrenal cortical cell and
activates an enzymatic action that ultimately produces cyclic adenosine
monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP, in turn, serves as a cofactor in activating key
enzymes in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is able to synthesize
cholesterol and to also take it up from circulation. All steroid hormones
produced by the adrenal glands are derived from cholesterol through a series of
enzymatic actions, which are all stimulated initially by ACTH.

Steroid biosynthesis involves the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone,
which is then enzymatically transformed into the major biologically active
corticosteroids. cAMP is produced from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the
action of adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase activity in the brain is
inhibited by micromolar concentrations of lead, mercury, and cadmium. One of
the key biochemical steps in the conversion of adrenal pregnenolone to cortisol
and aldosterone involves an enzyme identified as 21-hydroxylase.

Mercury causes a defect in adrenal steroid biosynthesis by inhibiting the
activity of 21a-hydroxylase. The consequences of this inhibition include
lowered plasma levels of corticosterone and elevated concentrations of
progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is an adrenal male
hormone. Because patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiencies are incapable of
synthesizing cortisol with normal efficiency, there's a compensatory rise in
ACTH leading to adrenal hyperplasia and excessive excretion of
17a-hydroxyprogesterone, which, without the enzyme 21-hydroxylase, cannot be
converted to cortisol.

The inhibition of the 21-hydroxylase system may be the mechanism behind the
mercury-induced adrenal hyperplasia. Adrenal hyperplasia can stress the adrenal
glands by their accelerated activity to produce steroids to the point that
production begins to diminish and the glands will atrophy. The result is a
subnormal production of corticosteroids. Both lead and mercury can precipitate
pathophysiological changes along the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal
axis that may seriously affect reproductive function, organs, and tissues.
Leukocyte production, distribution, and function are markedly altered by
glucocorticosteroid administration. In Addison's disease (hypofunction of
adrenal glands), neutrophilia occurs 4-6 hours after administration of a single
dose of hydrocortisone, prednisone, or dexamethasone. Neutrophilia is an
increase in the number of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils are also called
polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Mercury not only causes a suppression of
adrenocorticosteroids that would normally have stimulated an increase of PMNs,
but at the same time also affect the ability of existing PMNs to perform immune
function by inhibiting a metabolic reaction that destroys foreign substances.

Posterior Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland controls many of the body's endocrine system functions and
secretes hormones that control most bodily processes, including the immune
system and reproductive systems. One study found mercury levels in the
pituitary gland ranged from 6.3 to 77 ppb, while another found the mean levels
to be 30 ppb, levels found to be neurotoxic (toxic to nerves) and cytotoxic
(kills cells). Amalgam fillings, nickel and gold crowns are major factors in
reducing pituitary function. The posterior pituitary hormone joins forces with
the thyroid in influencing emotions. Posterior pituitary hormone is really two
hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin. High blood pressure is related to the
function of the posterior pituitary hormone vasopressin. It is a short trip for
mercury vapor to leave a filling, and travel into the sinus, and then travel an
inch through very porous, spongy tissues to the pituitary gland. Mercury is
detected in less than a minute after placing amalgam in teeth of test animals.

Suicide
Part of the reason for depression is related to mercury's effect of reducing
the development of posterior pituitary hormone (oxytocin). Low levels of
pituitary function are associated with depression and suicidal thoughts, and
appear to be a major factor in suicide of teenagers and other vulnerable
groups. As a profession, dentists rank highest in suicide. Autopsy studies in
Sweden showed that the pituitary glands of dentists hold 800 times more mercury
than people who were not in dentistry. Suicidal thoughts are not limited to
dental personnel though. Suicide is close to the number-one cause of death in
teenagers. Braces increase the electrical and toxic load people are carrying if
they have amalgam in their mouths. Amalgam can create suicidal tendencies by
itself, but the addition of braces, nickel crowns, or even gold crowns
evidently increases the exit rate of mercury, and the glands react--or actually
stop reacting. Suicidal tendencies tend to disappear within a few days of
supplemental oxytocin extract, along with dental metal removal. Menstrual cycle
problems, also normalize and fertility increases and endometriosis symptoms
subside.

Frequent Urination
The center that controls the need to get up several times each night to urinate
is the posterior pituitary gland. There is a certain amount of solid material
that must be disposed of daily in the urine. If the concentration of these
solids is high (yield a specific gravity of 1.022 to 1.025) then the proper
volume of urine will be excreted in a day. Should the concentration be half
that, or yielding a specific gravity of 1.012 for instance, then it will take
double the amount of urine to rid yourself of the same amount of solid. In
other words, the solids remain the same. If the concentration of the urine is
reduced, the total volume of urine is increased substantially. This ability of
the kidney is controlled by the posterior pituitary.

Adrenal Glands
Mercury accumulates in the adrenal glands and disrupts adrenal gland function.
During stress, the adrenal glands increase in size as a normal reaction in
order to produce more steroids (hormones). Both physical and physiological
stress will stimulate the adrenal glands. The outer shell of the adrenal gland
is called the cortex, and the inner core of the gland is called the medulla.
The cortex produces three types of steroids called glucocorticoids. Cortisone
is a corticoid essential to life and functions to maintain stress reactions.
Mineral corticoids, such as aldosterone, regulate the balance of blood
electrolytes and also cause the kidneys to retain sodium and excrete potassium
and hydrogen. Mineral corticoids are also involved in gluconeogenesis, which is
the process whereby your body converts glycogen to glucose (blood sugar).

Small amounts of corticoid sex hormones, both male and female, are also
produced by the adrenal cortex. Two primary nutrients for the adrenal glands
are pantothenic acid and vitamin C. A deficiency of pantothenic acid can lead
to adrenal exhaustion (chronic fatigue) and ultimately to destruction of the
adrenal glands. A deficiency of pantothenic acid also causes a progressive fall
in the level of adrenal hormones produced. One of the largest tissue stores of
vitamin C is the adrenals; it is exceeded only by the level of vitamin C in the
pituitary. Physical and mental stress increase the excretion of
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary, which is the hormone
that tells the adrenals to increase their activity. The increased adrenal
activity, in turn, depletes both vitamin C and pantothenic acid from the
glands.

Humans cannot produce vitamin C. They therefor attempt to replenish the needs
of the adrenals by taking the vitamin from other storage locations in the body.
If your overall ascorbate status is low, there may be an insufficient amount
available to satisfy the needs of the adrenals. Under this condition, normal
adrenal hormone response may become inadequate, leading to an inadequate immune
function. Mercury builds up in the pituitary gland and depletes the adrenals of
both pantothenic acid and vitamin C. Stress and the presence of mercury will
have a very negative effect on the adrenal production of critical steroids. The
ability of the adrenal gland to produce steroids is called steroidogenesis and
is dependent upon reactions mediated by the enzyme cytochrome P-450. Cytochrome
P-450 reacts with cholesterol to produce pregnenolone, which is then converted
to progesterone. Cytochrome P-450 can then convert progesterone to
deoxycorticosterone which is then converted to corticosterone or aldosterone by
other enzymes in the adrenals. These adrenal functions are also affected by
metal ions. Still today, the ADA and other governmental agencies tell us that
the mercury in your mouth, or from vaccinations, is perfectly safe. Scientists
say this is a ridiculous statement that is in violation of science and common
sense.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of heavy metal toxicity must take into account the exposure
history, clinical signs and symptoms, and laboratory tests. While the Centers
for Disease Control has steadily dropped the "allowable level" of lead in the
blood over the last fifteen years, there remains a problem with using blood
levels in the first place. Blood levels may not accurately reflect the total
body burden of toxic metals. High blood levels are usually only found in acute
toxic metal exposure, or in people exposed to high levels of toxins over a long
period of time. In chronic low level exposure, however, the blood levels may
actually be low due to redistribution of the toxins throughout the body, while
bone and other tissue levels remain high.

Hair analysis is another method of determining toxin exposure that is popular
with many clinicians. Hair can be a good indicator of exposure because it grows
slowly and incorporates toxic metals into its structure over a long period of
time, and therefore may be a better measure of actual tissue levels. There are
arguments over the accuracy of hair analysis due to the possibility of
contamination from hair dyes, shampoo, and other factors. Nevertheless, hair
analysis can be a valuable screening tool if the proper questions are asked and
the proper steps are taken prior to its use.

A more accurate method for evaluating toxic metal burden is to do a urine
challenge test with a "chelating" agent. Chelating agents bind to heavy metals
throughout the body, and then are excreted in the urine, taking the heavy
metals with them. In the urine challenge test, a chelating agent is
administered and then urine is collected and analyzed to determine the amount
and type of toxic metals that are excreted.

"The ADA owes no legal duty of care to protect the public from allegedly
dangerous products used by dentists ..Dissemination of information relating to
the practice of dentistry does not create a duty of care to protect the public
from potential injury."--American Dental Association lawyers.

My Father and Grandfather were dentists. Through their efforts and thousands of
others like them the dental profession has become one of the most respected
professions. The ADA accredited dental schools of America do not teach the
students the truth. If the Dean Hal Slavkin won't admit the truth when
confronted with the pictures, there is not chance in the world that the
students will ever even hear about it. None were present at the hearings that I
saw. Through the nefarious activities of the ADA and their component societies
the mercury cover-up will bring great shame to our noble profession. They lie
they cheat they steal the health of vulnerable subsets of the population yet
claim in court that they owe no duty of care to the public.
The American Cattle Raisers Association let greed get in the way of good sense.
They allowed and lobbied for cattle raisers to continue feeding cows to cows.
That action caused one cow in Washington to come down with Mad Cow's Disease
and they lost 70 Billion dollars overnight in trade.