Mercury Chelation - Detoxifying the Body

What is mercury chelation, does it work, and how is it carried out?

Virtually anything that is present within the body in extremely large amounts can cause toxicity, but mercury toxicity, or 'mercury poisoning,' has become an increasingly large concern for adults and children living in the United States and many other countries.

Background

The symptoms of acute mercury toxicity are sensory impairment (blurred visions, difficulty hearing, slurred speech), disturbed peripheral sensation, and a lack of coordination; accordingly, the exact type of symptoms and the degree of their severity is dependent upon the level of mercury found in the body. When there is excess mercury in the body, it needs to be "drawn out" somehow, and one of the ways to do this is through mercury chelation.

Chelation has long been a fundamental part of holistic medical practice. Of course, it is an invasive procedure and should be closely monitored through regular specimen samples (to monitor the levels of mercury that remain in the body).

How it Works

Chelation is done by exposing the body to a chelating agent, which is an ion that readily forms a compound with a given metal, such as mercury. When the ion enters the body and bonds to the mercury, it renders the mercury unable to engage in further interaction with the body; this is the principle behind mercury chelation.

It is very important to note that this procedure must be done by a qualified medical professional who understands the complex balance of ions in the body, as altering the chemical balance of the body can be quite dangerous if not done by someone who is able to monitor it properly; indeed, the CDC reports that some people have died from hypocalcaemia due to improper chelation.

Doctors often use chelation to treat mercury poisoning via prescriptions for chelating agents. Two examples of these are DMSA and DMPS, both of which should only be taken in small doses and in increasing amounts, to protect against an undesirable reaction.

Use of Natural Herbs and Supplements

Another way of mercury chelation, or "pulling out" mercury from the body's tissues, is through the use of supplements. This method is desirable because it limits the risk of negative side effects and is a more natural way of detoxifying the body.

Some supplements that have been proven to naturally chelate mercury are milk thistle, cilantro, and vitamins C, E, and B. Additionally, chlorella is believed to be influential in binding to mercury in the colon and removing it from the body, as is garlic.

Caution

It is important in making decisions about adding any medications or supplements to consult with your physician, but it is of utmost important that those suffering from mercury poisoning maintain close contact with their physician.

Mercury poisoning is essentially a chemical imbalance, so adding any other components to the internal environment is potentially dangerous and should be discussed at length with a healthcare professional.

Mercury Chelation - Conclusion

Early recognition of the symptoms of mercury poisoning is essential to the probability of a positive outcome. Recognition of the signs of mercury poisoning and the resultant early treatment significantly reduces the chances that there will be lasting neurological effects.

Mercury chelation is an intense but effective process for removing mercury in the body, and has promising implications for disorders thought to be related to mercury content in the body.

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