[Fwd: FAQ]

[Guest guest]

-

This was a good and needed write up. I have just a few comments -

Since July, 1999, the FDA has "encouraged" manufacturers to remove thimerosal

from vaccines. Some have done it; others have not. Today, most vaccines

that are being manufactured do not contain thimerosal, or they only contain

a "trace." But we do not know how many of the old thimerosal products are

still on the shelf.

Just one injection of a vaccine with thimerosal exceeds the safety

guidelines of 0.1 mcg/kg/day - you don't need multiple shots to put the

baby over the threshold.

There is also a short version of the paper (12 pages) which might be

better to use for busy doctors or the media. It is available on the ARI

website too -

http://www.autism.com/ari/mercury.html

Both versions are also available on the CAN website -

http://www.cureautismnow.org/sciwatch/invest.cfm

Two other very important maternal sources of mercury in infants are

immune globulin shots (Rhogam) given to Rh negative women during pregnancy

and just after birth (30 mcg per injection) and flu shots, recommended

by the CDC for all pregnant women during the flu season (25 mcg per shot).

Note that toddlers may also get flu shots - all flu vaccines contain thimerosal

and at this time there is no effort underway to remove the mercury from

them. These products were not included in the FDA's request to manufacturers

to remove thimerosal from childhood vaccines.

- SB

Drumroll please...Here it is, the long awaited Frequently Asked

Questions list for the list. This document

incorporates information gleaned from several months of reading this

list. Thanks to Andy for being my editor. This FAQ also has Dr.

Amy's seal of approval.

I will post the document here in its entirety for those who receive e-

mails. You will also find it in the " Files " section of the list

website: /

Please let me know if something isn't clear or you have some

important information to add.

Mercury-Autism FAQ

Q: How is Mercury Poisoning related to Autism?

In their paper " Autism: A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning "

Bernard

et. al, http://www.autism.com/ari/mercurylong.html have revealed a

startling similarity in the symptoms of Autism and Mercury

Poisoning. While this may sound frightening, it actually shines a

bright ray of hope into the lives of families living with an autistic

child. Why? Because mercury poisoning can be cured.

Q: Who is Andy Cutler?

Andy Cutler is a Ph.D. chemist who found himself sick with mercury

poisoning and figured out how to get well. He wrote a book

called " Amalgam Illness: Diagnosis and treatment " It sells

for $35

and you can order it directly from his web site:

http://hometown.aol.com/noamalgam. Andy spends many hours answering

questions on our list, and he always tells it like it is—no bull.

Q: Who is Dr. Amy?

Dr. Amy Holmes is an M.D. in Louisiana who is working with parents of

many autistic children to help them chelate mercury and other toxic

metals from their children. Dr. Amy used to be an oncologist. She

retired to raise her infant son, only to find out that he has

autism. Now she has gone back to work to help her son and

others'

children. Dr. Amy has a website: http://www.healing-

arts.org/children/holmes.htm that describes the mercury problem and

her treatment protocol. Licensing laws prohibit Dr. Amy from

consulting with people who are not her patients. However, your doctor

may call Dr. Amy at (225)767-7433 to consult with her or receive a

faxed copy of her protocol.

Q: How dangerous is mercury?

Very. Mercury is the second most toxic element on earth, second only

to plutonium. The amount of mercury found in one mercury thermometer

is enough to pollute a small lake. Mercury toxicity has been linked

to a large number of diseases, including arthritis, altzheimer's,

multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome,

depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, learning disabilities

and ADHD.

Q: How could my child have become mercury poisoned?

Many parents believe the major culprit to be thimerosal, a

preservative used in vaccines and other medications. Thimerosal is

50% mercury by weight. In October 1998, the FDA banned the use of

thimerosal in over the counter medications, but it is still used in

most vaccines. Since multiple vaccines are often given on the same

day, the amount of mercury injected into a typical infant exceeds the

EPA's " safe " limits. Before the FDA ban, mercury had

been added to

eye drops, contact lens preparations, nasal sprays, contraceptive

creams, hemmhoroid creams, lubricating gels, allergy injections, and

antiseptics such as Mercurochrome® and merthiolate.

There are many other common sources for mercury exposure. Here's

a

short list:

Dental amalgams

Released into the air by coal burning plants

Fish and shellfish, especially tuna, salmon and swordfish

Some paints

Thermometers and blood pressure gauges (especially if mercury from

broken instruments was spilled on carpet)

Fluorescent light bulbs

It is important to note that mercury present in a mother's body

is

passed to her baby through the placenta, and later, through breast

milk. See: " Mercury from maternal " silver " tooth fillings in

sheep

and human breast milk. A source of neonatal exposure. " By Vimy,

Hooper and King: http://hera.algonet.se/~leif/yrvim97a.html

Q: But my dentist told me that dental amalgam is perfectly safe.

The presence of mercury in dental amalgams is a very controversial

subject. Despite the fact that dental amaglam contains 50% mercury,

the American Dental Association's official position is that

dental

amalgam is safe, and that mercury does not pose a health risk.

However, numerous research studies show that dental amalgams are a

major source of mercury toxicity. Because of the ADA's position,

your

dentist risks losing his license if he tells you that mercury is

dangerous, no matter what he personally believes.

Q: If mercury poisoning is caused by vaccines, they why don't

aren't

all kids mercury toxic?

Sensitivity to mercury varies widely from person to person, as does

the body's natural ability to detoxify. Some children can get

rid of

the mercury quickly, while in others, the toxin remains in the body

longer, allowing it time to bind tightly in the brain and other

organs.

Q: How can I find out if my child has mercury poisoning?

Dr. Amy Holmes lists a number of useful medical tests on her website:

http://www.healing-arts.org/children/holmes.htm. A trace minerals

analysis, or hair test, is an inexpensive, non-invasive and

reasonably accurate test for determining the body's burden of

mercury

and other heavy metals. Doctor's Data (708/231-3649) is a great

source for obtaining this test. Keep in mind that mercury may be so

tightly bound in the body's organs that it doesn't show up in

large

amounts in the hair test. Instead of looking at mercury by itself,

it is necessary to look at all of the elements and to apply

the " counting rules " (posted in files) to determine if

mercury is

present.

Q: OK, I'm convinced my child is mercury toxic. What do I do

now?

If your child has dental amalgams, you will need to find a mercury-

free dentist who can replace the silver amalgam fillings with some

other material. Next, you should try to find a doctor who can help

with chelation. Keep in mind that most regular allopathic doctors

are not familiar with mercury toxicity. You don't have to go to

a

regular MD. " Alternative " doctors such as osteopaths,

naturopaths,

homeopaths and chiropractors may be able to help you obtain chelating

agents and monitor your child's health during the process. You

don't

have to have a doctor to chelate, but it is a very good idea.

Q: What are chelating agents?

Chelating agents are compounds with two or more binding groups for

certain

metals combined into one molecule. Chelating agents for mercury are

DMPS(2,3 dimercaptopropanesulfonate sodium), DMSA(2,3 meso

DiMercaptoSuccinic Acid. Generic name: Succimer. Trade name: Chemet)

and LA (alpha-lipoic acid).

DMPS has been approved for bulk distribution by compounding

pharmacies and is excellent for removing mercury from the body (but

not the brain) if it is used properly.

Unfortunately many physicians use it and other chelating agents

improperly,

and like any drug these can be extremely dangerous when not used

right.

DMSA is a prescription medication which has been approved by the FDA

for lead-poisoning in children. It also works well for mercury.

DMSA removes mercury from everywhere in the body except the brain,

because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

Alpha-lipoic acid(LA) is an over-the-counter supplement which has

been found to effectively chelate mercury. Unlike DMSA and DMPS, LA

will cross the blood-brain barrier, and so it can move mercury out of

or into the brain. LA should not be used if there has been recent

mercury exposure (within 3 months) or if your child has high copper

levels, since LA reduces copper excretion.

What is the proper dosage and administration schedule for DMSA and LA?

The dosage is less important than the administration schedule. If you

remember nothing else about this FAQ, remember this: DMSA or LA must

be given in small, frequent doses (every 3-4 hours, even at night)

over several days to be effective. Infrequent dosage will just stir

up the mercury and redistribute it in the body, making your child

sicker.

For DMSA or LA, start with 1/8 to ½ mg. per pound of child. If

giving LA by itself, give it every 3 hours. DMSA is given every 4

hours. DMSA + LA should be given every 3 hours. DMPS alone should be

given every 8 hours.

Chelation should be done in cycles of at 3 to 7 days on the chelator,

followed by at least as many days off as a rest period. Many parents

find it convenient to chelate on weekends, starting when the child

gets home from school and stopping on Monday morning, with weekdays

as rest days. With the schedule, sleep is only interrupted on

weekends and parents don't have to depend on school employees to

give

the medicine.

Q: I've started chelating and my child is having bad side

effects.

What can I do?

Some side effects that listmembers have reported include increased

urination, redness of the face and extremities, rash, heartburn, and

diarrhea. Your child may also show an increase in autistic symptoms

(may become more " stimmy " or show more oppositional

behavior). If

the side effects are severe or difficult to deal with, stop the cycle

and allow a rest time, then start the next cycle with a lower

dosage. You may also want to try a shorter chelation cycle, with a

larger rest period in between.

Q: I've made an appointment for a hair test and I'm trying

to find a

doctor to help me chelate. Is there anything I can do right now?

Yes—you can begin supplementation. There are many dietary

supplements that can help your child to feel better now, and during

the chelation process. Here are some important ones:

Take these 4 times a day: Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, and Milk

Thistle extract

Take these often(frequency not as critical): Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin

E, mixed carotenes and lypocene, flax seed oil.

Q: My doctor says that my child is not mercury toxic because his

blood and urine mercury levels are " within normal limits. "

What do

you think?

Most MDs are more familiar with lead poisoning than mercury

poisoning. Blood and urine tests are the standard for measuring

lead, but these tests are inadequate for mercury. This is because

once mercury enters the body, it very quickly leaves the bloodstream

and accumulates in the internal organs. Therefore, urine and blood

tests will only show mercury if the person has been exposed to a

large amount of mercury very recently. Chronic long-term exposure

(amalgams) or old exposure (vaccines) will not show up with these

tests. A better way to test for mercury is the above-mentioned hair

elements test.

Q: My alternative doctor wants to do a DMPS challenge test. Is this

safe?

No. DMPS challenge tests and IV chelation with DMPS can be very

dangerous—see www.dmpsbackfire.com. A challenge test is when a

doctor administers a large amount of chelator in a single dose, and

then tests the urine for metals. Challenge tests in general

aren't

useful for diagnosing mercury toxicity because everyone has some

mercury in them, and DMPS (or DMSA) will mobilize it. If DMPS is to

be used, it should be administered orally, every 8 hours. And no one

should take a chelator of any kind if they have dental amalgam

fillings.

Some doctors suggest doing the same sort of challenge test using a

large oral dose of DMSA, or will suggest treatment with infrequent

doses of chelator (once a day or every other day) This is also

dangerous. Chelators should always be given in frequent, small doses

(every 3-4 hours for DMSA, every 8 hours for DMPS).

Q: I've heard that glutathione, chlorella, cilantro, cysteine,

MSM,

NAC, garlic, and saunas will chelate naturally, and that the natural

way is better. Is this true?

Don't assume that because something is " natural, " that it

is

necessarily better. As Andy has reminded us, strychnine and botulism

are natural, and deadly. That said, some natural remedies are

excellent. LA is a natural supplement available at health food

stores, and it has been found to be a good chelator for mercury and

arsenic. You have to read about and study each one so that you have

some idea what you are giving your child. All of these remedies have

been discussed on the list, and some of our listmembers swear by

them. You are encouraged to inform yourself and make up your own

mind. But here's what Andy and Amy say about them:

Glutathione – Andy: " Glutathione is not a chelator.

Supplemental

glutathione itself is of very little value since your gut should

digest it. If your gut is not digesting it you will soon start

taking other things to MAKE your gut digest it because letting

undigested things like glutathione into your bloodstream will soon

cause major allergy problems. "

Chlorella—Andy: " While there is little in press that shows

chlorella

to be harmful, there are multitudinous observations of real people

which show that. All you have to do is ask

around. Chlorella is simply another " sulfur food. " It is very harmful

to people who

are high in sulfur. "

" Dr. Klinghardt, is the one that popularized DMPS injections and

DMSA

every other day, the first and second most dangerous mercury

treatment protocols. Now he is on to chlorella, which is also very

dangerous. I know several people who took it per his protocol and

suffered permanent neurological damage as a result. "

Cilantro—Andy: " There is some superstition that cilantro

helps, and

it really may, but it

isn't clear how to use it. "

And this from Dr. Amy Holmes— " Cilantro. Untested. A few reports

that

it MAY cross the blood-brain barrier and chelate mercury, but no

data. Please bear in mind that no one knows what the ingredient in

cilantro is that MAY do this. Is every cilantro equal? Who knows? I

don't see how one could possibly be even somewhat sure that you are

keeping a relatively steady blood level of THE INGREDIENT when we

don't know what THE INGREDIENT is or if all cilantro has the same

amount of it. And if anything in mercury chelation is more important,

I can't think of it. "

Cysteine—Not a chelator. Andy: " Don't give cysteine/cystine

or

sources of it during ALA chelation unless you definitively know the

child has low plasma levels of cysteine (not low-ish, definitively

abnormally low). "

Dr. Amy: " I think we are much better off leaving glutathione,

MSM,

cysteine, etc. supplements alone. They cause many more problems than

they can fix in an untested person.

MSM—Not a chelator.Andy: " The more I hear about MSM the more

I

suggest people avoid it. I keep getting random negative reports. "

And " It is an exceptionally bad idea to use MSM, cysteine, NAC or

glutathione with LA since LA naturally increases your body's cysteine

and glutathione levels. "

NAC—This is a supplement which will cause the body to produce

more

glutathione. Andy: " Neither NAC nor glutathione remove any

mercury

from the brain - but they do

make whatever mercury is there a lot more toxic if administered in

excessive

amounts. "

Garlic—Not a chelator, but posters say it's great for

pinworms.

Saunas—Andy: " Sauna has been used to detox mercury miners

since time

immemorial - when they get too messed up, they go to the sauna during

work hours instead of into

the mineshaft. " " Sweating does indeed increase mercury

excretion.

Probably an hour or

two of sauna is the same as 50 mg of DMSA every 4 hours for a

day. "

Note: Posters urged caution with saunas because mercury toxic people

are often heat sensitive.

Q: I've gotten back the hair test results for my child, and it

shows

he has high levels of other metals besides mercury. What should I do?

Generally, you remove the other metals first. High levels of lead,

copper, arsenic, antimony or aluminum can cause symptoms similar to

mercury poisoning. If your child has high levels of several metals,

he is likely very sick. Test again in three months.

Recommendations for chelating other metals:

Lead: Use DMSA, but follow the protocol for mercury in case mercury

is present as well. Administer every 3-4 hours for several days,

then rest for the same number of days, etc.

Arsenic: LA works very well for arsenic. Chelate using mercury

protocol (every 3 hours, with on/off cycles).

Antimony: Use SAMe, 5 mg a day per pound of kid in divided doses. Or

you can use the " poor man's methylating mix " of B-12 (100 mcg per

pound), folate (10 mcg per pound) and TMG or choline (10-20 mg per

pound). Spread these through the day. They may be energizing so you

might want to give them in the earlier part of the day.

Copper: Copper absorption can be greatly reduced by giving 25 mg zinc

+ 250 mcg

molybdenum 4 times a day, and also by excluding high copper foods

from the

diet. Nuts, organ meats, shellfish, molasses and sometimes unwashed

produce

are high. Glycine, taurine and milk thistle extract might help get

rid of copper faster.

Note: You should not give LA if your child has high copper levels,

as LA will drive copper levels higher.

Aluminum: Restrict dietary intake. Don't cook in aluminum pans,

or

drink sodas from aluminum cans. Certain baking powders, antacids and

antiperspirants contain aluminum, so be sure to check labels.

Cadmium: Zinc may help.

Antioxidant supplements help reduce the symptoms of all heavy metal

problems.

Q: My child is GFCF. Can I continue the diet?

If it makes your child feel better, then by all means continue.

Bernie Windham has written a paper that describes how mercury

interferes with the enzyme that is needed to digest gluten and

casein. Many people who are mercury toxic are sensitive to food that

are high in sulfur, which includes all dairy products.

Regarding yeast: Mercury causes damage to the immune system, and a

weakened immune system allows yeast, bacteria and and all sorts of

other nasties to proliferate in the body. Yeast overgrowth can

cause " leaky gut " —a condition in which the lining of the

intestine

becomes somewhat porous, allowing undigested particles to enter the

bloodstream, causing allergic reactions. Mercury toxic individuals

often suffer from food allergies. Therefore, a GFCF (gluten and

casein-free) diet is probably a good idea before and during

chelation. Theoretically, once the mercury is removed, the immune

system is restored, and the gut is allowed to heal (this may require

antibiotics and/or anti-fungals), the child may be able eat

" regular "

foods again.

Q: Has anyone actually " cured " their autistic child by

chelating

them?

The book " Turning Lead Into Gold " describes several cases of

children

with " autistic tendencies " who improved dramatically after

chelation

for lead.

As of this writing, no one on this list has completely cured their

child from mercury poisoning. But it's early yet. Dr. Amy is

getting some wonderful results with the children in her practice, and

numerous parents have reported improvements in their autistic

children with each chelation cycle.

Q: How long does it take to complete chelation?

Six months to two years, depending on how toxic a person is and how

quickly you chelate. Children younger than 8 seem to respond more

quickly than older children.

Q: My child has only one amalgam filling, and I can't seem to

find a

dentist who will agree to replace it. Can't I go ahead and

chelate?

Absolutely not. You cannot start chelation if there are any silver

amalgam fillings present. The chelator will remove mercury from the

filling and deposit it in your child's body, making him even more

toxic.

Q: How can I find a mercury-free dentist?

Try the following website: http://www.altcorp.com/hgfreedentist.htm.

Or Send a #10 SASE with 78 cents postage to:

Foundation For Toxic-Free Dentistry (or just use FTFD)

P.O. Box 608010

Orlando, FL

32860-8010

Be very careful when selecting a dentist. Composite fillings require

more skill in placement than amalgam, and the risk for further

mercury exposure during amalgam replacement is great. The dentist

should follow something similar to the IOAMT

protocol: http://mall.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/iaomt.htm for

amalgam removal and replacement.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/10/00 5:04:48 AM, smdevlin5@... writes:

<< > Two other very important maternal sources of mercury in infants are

> immune globulin shots (Rhogam) given to Rh negative women during

> pregnancy and just after birth (30 mcg per injection) and flu shots,

> recommended by the CDC for all pregnant women during the flu season

(25

> mcg per shot). Note that toddlers may also get flu shots - all flu

> vaccines contain thimerosal and at this time there is no effort

underway

> to remove the mercury from them. These products were not included

in the

> FDA's request to manufacturers to remove thimerosal from childhood

> vaccines. >>

Personally I believe maternal amalgam fillings, maternal fish consumption,

use of thimerosal containing surface cleaners and disinfectants in the

hospital and possible occupational or occult exposure of the mother and

perhaps child are larger sources of mercury and of risk than these.

Andy

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input. I'll incorporate these points

--- In egroups, Sally Bernard <sbernard@n...>

wrote:

> -

>

> This was a good and needed write up. I have just a few comments -

>

> Since July, 1999, the FDA has " encouraged " manufacturers to remove

> thimerosal from vaccines. Some have done it; others have not. Today,

> most vaccines that are being manufactured do not contain

thimerosal, or

> they only contain a " trace. " But we do not know how many of the old

> thimerosal products are still on the shelf.

>

> Just one injection of a vaccine with thimerosal exceeds the safety

> guidelines of 0.1 mcg/kg/day - you don't need multiple shots to put

the

> baby over the threshold.

>

> There is also a short version of the paper (12 pages) which might be

> better to use for busy doctors or the media. It is available on the

ARI

> website too -

> http://www.autism.com/ari/mercury.html

>

> Both versions are also available on the CAN website -

> http://www.cureautismnow.org/sciwatch/invest.cfm

>

> Two other very important maternal sources of mercury in infants are

> immune globulin shots (Rhogam) given to Rh negative women during

> pregnancy and just after birth (30 mcg per injection) and flu shots,

> recommended by the CDC for all pregnant women during the flu season

(25

> mcg per shot). Note that toddlers may also get flu shots - all flu

> vaccines contain thimerosal and at this time there is no effort

underway

> to remove the mercury from them. These products were not included

in the

> FDA's request to manufacturers to remove thimerosal from childhood

> vaccines.

>

> - SB

>

>