Tag Archives: heavy metal poisoning

At JMC Restorative Medicine, we are seeing a lot of patients on high fish and protein diets who are constantly dieting. High fish intake especially tuna can mean high mercury levels in the body. The EPA recently announced that 630,000 children are born each year with high mercury levels and 1 in 12 women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their bodies to bear a child with severe mental disabilities. Heavy Metals  such as lead are found in lead based paints, food and drinking water high in lead, health care products containing lead and hobbies in which lead is used: i.e. OGlass staining. Heavy metal toxicity denatures enzymes, interferes with cell membrane function, creates free radicals inducing inflammatory cytokines and damaging DNA and mitochondria. Heavy metal toxicity damages brain structures, lowers IQ, down-regulates dopamine receptors, causes kidney and cardiovascular toxicity. It can also cause anemia, ADHD, bone deposits of metals, Alzheimer’s early, anxiety, depression and Raynaud’s phenomenon Mercury lowers intracellular glutathione levels and when this happens heavy metals cannot be removed from the cell and a major source of oxidant protection is gone.

When there is free radical damage, nutritional support such as carotenoids, selenium, Vitamin C, zinc, manganese and copper, co q 10, green tea leaf extract, grape seed extract and alpha lipoic acid are used. Another problem that can occur is “leaky gut” where the bowels don’t absorb nutrients and the liver enzymes are elevated. Treatment for this include n-acetyl cysteine, alginate, milk thistle, MSM, aged garlic, essential fatty acids, and minerals. Come by JMC Restorative Medicine today if you notice a change in behavior, concentration or mood related to a dietary change. We have excellent and very specific testing for heavy metals and the doctors will take as much time as needed explaining and individualizing treatment for each patient.