A big jump in women’s toxic load.
A heavy metal that targets the brain, immune system, liver, and pituitary gland, mercury in women has jumped significantly in the past 10 years—from 2 percent to 30 percent among women 19 to 49 years old. “My findings also suggest a rise in risks for diseases associated with mercury over time,” reports Dan R. Laks, M.S., a neuroscientist at UCLA.
This research comes close on the heels of a U.S. Geological Survey report showing that 25 percent of fish in U.S. rivers and streams had unsafe levels of mercury. All fish—even small ones—had traces of this toxic metal.
Only two states—Alaska and Wyoming—have not issued advisories about mercury contamination in fish. And some areas that weren’t part of the Geological Survey report—like the Great Salt Lake—have twice the mercury levels of streams sampled. Even those “living in an area that doesn’t have a mercury advisory,” should use caution eating fish, warns Sonya Lunder, MPH, senior analyst for the Environmental Working Group.
Other sources of environmental mercury include emissions from coal-fired power plants and cement plants, plus runoff from mining. Dental amalgams, fungicides, some antiseptics and medications, diuretics, Mercurochrome, certain contact lens solutions, and vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal can also increase an individual’s body burden for this toxic metal.
“The margin of safety for women and children is razor thin,” says biologist Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. But “no amount of mercury is really safe,” admits pediatrician Leo Trasande, M.D., at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
I have suspected that mercury levels were on the rise for quite some time. The UCLA findings point out that we accumulate this toxin in our bodies over time, so it’s no wonder that known neurological risks range from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. Because of mercury’s endocrine and liver involvement, your body’s detoxification and hormonal systems clearly need support. Mercury expert Hal Huggins, D.D.S., also cites autoimmune problems that are linked to mercury, like lupus and multiple sclerosis – for starters.
But, first things first. Because even small fish contain some degree of mercury, if you are really concerned, then consider molecularly distilled fish oil or Omega-3 vegetarian sources for your essential fatty acids. Besides purified fish oil, you can enjoy other excellent Omega-3 foods like chia and flax seeds, flaxseed oil, perilla oil, and walnuts.
Remember, too, that selenium is a mineral antagonist to mercury. Consider taking additional selenium (no more than 200 mcg daily) if it is not already included in your multi. Vitamin C is a precursor to glutathione, a critical liver antioxidant that mops up heavy metals like mercury and other toxins, so get plenty of C throughout the day. (Read more on vitamin C here).
To support the incredible job the liver does in filtering out toxins like mercury, it’s wise to support this organ for both phases of its natural detox system. For the phase one detox pathway, you need zinc, along with vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, as well as a healthy supply of antioxidants from brightly colored fruits and vegetables. For the phase two detox pathway, you need folic acid, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, and glutathione-boosting vitamin C.
Throughout both phases of the liver’s detox process, I recommend fiber from psyllium or flax seeds with lots of pure water and/or cranwater. As Fat Flushers and Fast Trackers already know, while cleansing and fortifying your liver, you’ll want to avoid excess fat (especially trans fat and fried foods), sugar in all its guises, artificial sweeteners, refined carbs, soy protein isolates, molds, alcohol, caffeine, and over-the-counter meds, which are all major liver stressors.
Sources:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13172533
http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docid=630320
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm
I would like to hear about the effect of fragrances on our health.
I am bombarded daily with other’s fragrances at work. I get headaches, vomit and get jittery from the fragrances. Management won’t take action because they don’t believe it is harmful.
My doctor did Mercury testing on my 1 year ago and I was in the 97 percentile! Pretty scary. I was told to take 1000 mg of Vitamin C every other hour and when I felt like something was coming on (like a cold) to up it to every hour. Also, the Iodine that I am taking 20mcg? mg? 2x per day also assists in drawing out mercury. Next time I see the doc he is due to test for metals again. It is lonely without sushi…But along with Hashimoto’s disease, etc, I know see why he tests for all of this. Thank you Ann Louise! I am getting ready to Fast Track
To Nancy Thilo:
I agree! I have almost blacked out from someone’s perfume! I have MCSS as a resulting co-symptom of Fibromyalgia and even had to eventually leave work because the ‘smells’ of things effected me neurologically.
Your boss is wrong and there are many websites that discuss this very thing.
I agree. I’m at the point where fragrance/s need to be left at home and have a fragrance free work environment. I have had extreme difficulty in breathing while waiting on customers so that someone else had to continue. It’s awful.
Regarding the fish..and mercury..that is such a shame. I do eat a lot of fish these days, too, and just stocked up on some salmon.
And I LOVE Sushi!
So, now what??
Greetings Lisa:
For you and all others that have product lines that are in alignment with my writings, please send a detailed description of your product lines to [email protected]. Thank you and thanks to all of you for your informative posts 🙂
What about Salmon coming from China? Just bought a “family pack” at my local big box grocery store.
Does the liver filter out heavy metals that are already stored in our fat cells? Or just newly digested heavy meatals as we eat them? How do we get rid of the heavy metals like mercury that have been stored in our fat cells for years and years??? Please help, I used to live on a tillings pile at the base of old mines in Utah and drank the water and love fish…
Lauren: Your guess is as good as mine regarding salmon coming out of China. If in doubt, use my Food Cleansing Bath in Fat Flush or Gut Flush.
Amber: Yes, the liver ideally should be filtering out all toxins, including heavy metals. Problem is we are in such overload that the liver can’t always do its job because of the 100,000 or so chemicals out in the environment these days. What I would do is a Vitamin C purge to rid the system of mercury. Get some powdered Vitamin C that is a sodium ascorbate. Use about 1/4 tsp in water every half hour – until bowel tolerance. Then calculate the mgs of Vitamin C that you used before the loose bowels and use that as your daily chelating dose. I use Time C for this purpose.
I have a high level of mercury in my blood. Do you recommend that I remove my silver fillings? (I have about 20 silver fillings)
Melanie
Should we take a fish oil supplement along with a flax/borage/black current seed supplement? Or can you take one or the other? If someone is on the Fat Flush Plan and is taking GLA and CLA do you need a fish oil supplement?
Dear Friends:
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