Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet!

Mercury Poisoning and Meat Consumption - Updated on 21 February 2010

The University of Hongkong has in 1998 conducted a study on the connection between Hongkong male subfertility and fish consumption [1 ]. According to the study, non-vegetarians living in Hongkong have dangeriously high concentration of mercury in their hair samples.

Mercury concentrations found in the hair of 159 Hong Kong males aged 25–72 (mean age=37 years) was positively correlated with age and was significantly higher in Hong Kong subjects than in European and Finnish subjects (1.2 and 2.1 ppm, respectively).

Mercury in the hair of 117 subfertile Hong Kong males (4.5 ppm, P<0.05) was significantly higher than mercury levels found in hair collected from 42 fertile Hong Kong males (3.9 ppm).

The mercury content in the hair of subfertile males was found to be approximately 40% higher than that of fertile males of similar age.

Female subjects had significantly lower levels of hair mercury than males in similar age groups. The hair mercury concentrations of females were found to be 60% less than male participants in the similar age group. Perhaps, the difference in hair mercury concentrations between male and female subjects is due to the role of the sex hormones on mercury toxicity. As suggested in Mark and David Geier's work [9 , 10], the male hormone testosterone potentates the mercury toxicity, while female hormones tend to mask some of the toxic effects of mercury.

Scientists point out that female subjects who are exposed to mercury can have irregular periods.

However, hair analysis on 16 vegans having not consumed any fish, shellfish or meat for at least the last 5 years reveals that the vegans' mean hair mercury concentration was only 0.38 ppm --- that is, about 11 times lower than those of the meat-eating subjects. This figure suggests that vegans are almost immune from mercury poisoning.

According to another study carried out in Taiwan [2 ], mean concentrations of hair mercury of vegetarian, general population living in the main city, fishing village, outlying islands and fishing workers are 0.5±0.5、2.4±1.8、4.4±3.3、4.6±7.4 and 9.1±13.6 mg/kg respectively. The same research also reveals that food mercury is detected, in decreasing order of mercury concentration, in fish, nonfish seafood, eggs, meats, soybean products, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fruit.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Unlike other minerals, mercury is highly destructive and totally useless in human bodies. Unlike other metals, mercury is the only metal which is known to be destructive to the nerve tissues in snails [3 ]. There are no such things as safe levels of blood mercury concentration. According to Boyd E. Haley, PhD, a biochemistry professor at the University of Kentucky, even an extremely low level of mercury can cause neurological diseases, including feeling of foggy brain, chronic fatigue Syndrome and even behavioral disorder.

Results from both studies demonstrated how meat eating subjects a person to a substantially higher risk of mercury poisoning.

Forms of Mercury

Mercury exists in bodies of animals in three forms: elemental, inorganic and organic. All forms of mercury exhibit toxicity in different ways.

Elemental mercury

Elemental mercury is usually absorbed as vapor Mercury vaporises even at room temperature. This form of mercury is usually found in dental amalgam fillings (~50% mercury concentration), from which mercury vapor can be easily visualized in black light [3 ].

Because elemental mercury is lipid solulable, elemental mercury vapor can cross the blood brain barrier in the presence of lipids, alcohol or other more powerful organic solvents. Over time, it can cause damage in the central nervous system, kidney malfunction, respiratory failure, and death.. Since elemental mercury can readily escape from one animal's mouth in the form of vapor it is not impossible for this form of mercury poisoning to be spread from one individual to another.

Observable symptoms associated with elemental mercury poisoning include: 1) mood swings, nervousness, irritability, and other emotional changes, 2) insomnia, 3) headache, 4) abnormal sensations, 5) muscle twitching, 6) tremors, 7) weakness, 8) muscle atrophy, and 9) decreased cognitive functions. [15 ].

About 80 percent of inhaled elemental mercury is absorbed into the blood stream through the alveoli. About 0.01% of ingested elemental mercury is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Once absorbed , elemental mercury accumulates in the kidneys, erythrocytes, bone marrow, liver, spleen, lungs, skin and hair. The elimination half-life of elemental mercury in the body is approximately 60 to 77 days.

Inorganic mercury

Inorganic mercury is usually referred as mercury salts. Inorganic mercury compounds have been used in pharmaceuticals, fungicides, Chinese medicines and antiseptics.

It is widely believed that mercury salts in the blood stream cannot cross the blood-brain barrier[5 ]. This means that, when mercury in the brain becomes inorganic for whatever reasons, it will not get out of the brain until it is removed through the use of chelating agents capable of crossing the blood brain barrier.

The UCLA study found evidence linking inorganic mercury in the blood to tissues known to be targets for the toxin, such as the liver, the immune system and the pituitary gland [4 ]. The same study also reveals a connection between levels of the pituitary hormone lutropin and chronic mercury exposure, which might help explain mercury's link to neurodegenerative disease. Inorganic mercury usually comes from meat products.

In general, symptoms associated with inorganic mercury poisoning includes skin rashes and inflammation (dermatitis). Ingesting a large amount of inorganic mercury can lead to bloody diarrhea. Inorganic mercury that is absorbed in the intestinal tissue can spread to other organ systems, causing mood swings and memory loss or renal damage. Muscle weakness may also occur. [15  ].

Organic mercury

The most toxic form of mercury is organic mercury. Organic Mercury includes, but not limited to, methylmercury. Methyl mercury was soon detected in all species of fish and in fish-consuming animals. The source of organic mercury appeared to be inorganic mercury biomethylated by microorganisms in sea animals.

Absorption of methylmercury in the gastrointestinal tract is almost 95%. Its distribution in a human body is surprisingly uniform and this distribution process is usually completed within 30 hours. About 10% of absorbed methylmercury ends up in the brain, and about 5% in the blood. According to the EPA in the US, the mercury concentration in red blood cells is approximately 20 times the concentration in plasma. There is no such thing as placental barrier for methylmercury. It is believed that levels of methylmercury in cord blood is proportional to but slightly higher than levels in maternal blood. Levels of methylmercury in the fetal brain are about 5-7 times that in maternal blood [32].

Methylmercury accumulates in growing scalp hair. Because of this, methylmercury concentrations in hair samples as measured in human hair forensic studies are always an excellent indicator of mercury exposure. Methylmercury can be found in fish, seafood, fungicides, herbicides, and wood preservatives are readily absorbed by living organisms.

Symptoms associated with organic mercury poisoning are mainly neurological malfunctions, and especially in a fetus, impaired neurological development. Other observable symptoms include: 1) peripheral vision impairment, 2) stinging or needle-like sensations in the extremities and mouth, 3) loss of coordination, 4) muscle weakness, and 5) other impairments of speech and hearing. [15 ]

Unlike inorganic mercury, both elemental mercury vapor and organic mercury can pass the blood brain barrier by way of the blood circulation.

Sources of Mercury

Mercury poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation and/or dermal absorption.

1/ Mercury From Food

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1995 reveals that mercury from food is by far the most significant source of mercury accumulation in the human body. The mercury ingested from food sources is usually organic.

According to another study carried out in Taiwan [2  ], food mercury is found predominantly in fishes and other sea animals. Fishes and other sea animals retain methylmercury, of which up to 90 per cent can be stored in the body's tissues.

The same study [2 ] also reveals that meat products and eggs contain some degree of mercury. Concentrations of mercury in meat of the animals can be as high as those in fish and seafood, depending on what they eats during their lifetime. Many other studies echo the similar findings[13, 14  ]. In one study [13 ], for example, scientists detected mercury and lead in meat and milk, and they believe that this is probably because of the soil intake of animals during grazing. Meat mainly stores inorganic mercury, of which 10 percent is absorbed in the human body.

Mercury has also been detected in some other less-mentioned food sources, including brassicas, mushrooms, and processed food items high in high fructose corn syrup. According to a study in the US [12 ], food items containing mercury-contaminated high fructose corn syrup are listed in the following table:

Product Name	Total mercury detected (ppt)	Laboratory detection limit (ppt)
Quaker Oatmeal to Go	350	80
Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce (Heinz)	300	100
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup	257	50
Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce	200	100
Nutri‐Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars	180	80
Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe	150	80
Market Pantry Grape Jelly	130	80
Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly	100	80
Pop‐Tarts Frosted Blueberry	100	80
Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup	87	50
Wish‐Bone Western Sweet & Smooth	72	50
Coca‐Cola Classic	62	50
Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt	60	20
Minute Maid Berry Punch	40	30
Yoo‐hoo Chocolate Drink	30	20
Nesquik Chocolate Milk	30	20
Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk	30	20

Suggestion: Avoid all artificially sweetened foodstuffs.

2/ Mercury From Amalgam fillings

By far, use of mercury from amalgam fillings is the main cause of exposure to elemental and inorganic mercury [35 ].

Mercury can readily vaporize even at room temperature [3 ]. It is believed that population with amalgum fillings, mercury thermometer spillage, electrical switches and other related accidents are most vulnerable to this form of mercury poisoning. By estimation, a single dental amalgam filling with a surface area of only 0.4 sq.cm can release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury vapor everyday primarily through mechanical chewing and evaporation. The mercury vapor from the amalgams is lipid soluble and passes readily through cell membranes and across the blood brain barrier. Over time, it accumulates in the human body, causes damage to the nerve tissues and continues to plague the body during the entire life of the filling through chewing, brushing, and the intake of hot fluids.

So far, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have already banned the use of amalgam mercury dental fillings. Germany has banned one type of amalgam from further use in Germany.

3/ Mercury From Polluted Environment

Another major source of mercury accumulation in human bodies is atmospheric mercury from human activities, including mining, coal combustion, agricultural use of mercury and waste incineration.

Most of the atmospheric mercury comes from combustion facilities, notably coal fire plants. In the US and Canada, the second largest source of atmospheric mercury is the combined incineration of municipal and medical waste. Medical waste includes dental amalgam waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, medical waste incinerators in the US emit 70,000 pounds of mercury into the atmosphere each year, making medical use of the metal one of the leading contributors to mercury pollution.

The use of mercury in amalgam fillings is also a burden to the environment. It causes not only mercury emissions to air during cremation, but also contamination to water systems as a result of dental practices. Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Canada have banned the use of mercury based amalgam dental fillings.

Execretments from non-vegetarian animals [1] and individuals with amalgam fillings [35] also contain mercury. Since atmospheric mercury can be spread by waste incineration, our failure to maintain a vegan lifestyle free of mercury amalgam fillings is also factor contributing to mercury pollution.

Mercury usually remains in the atmosphere for approximately 1 year. Atmospheric mercury vapor can spread thousand miles away from the point sources by processes not yet fully understood. For instance, a study revealed that mercury levels even in the arctic water were not very different from levels in more southern latitudes. According to some scientists, the mercury vapor is first oxidated into a water-soluble ions in the upper atmosphere, which is then recycled back to the ground as rainwater. This cycle continues in a way to spread the mercury pollution to other remote regions.

According to scientists around the world [7 ], 75% of mercury emissions comes from human activities. Unless we press for go-green movement, the pollution from our environment will continue to pose threat to the public health.

4/ Mercury from Tobacco Smoking

According to a "by the way" study documented in [ 6 ]  , the smoke coming off of an additive free tobacco cigarette has approximately 0.014 mg/m3 of mercury, as opposed to 0.004 mg/m3 of mercury from the exhaled smoke of the smoker smoking the same cigarette. In other words, the smoker absorbs approximately 10/14 of mercury in tobacco smoke into his/her own body.

So, if the measurement documented in [6]  is accurate, then the smoker effectively deposits at least 8.214 nanograms of mercury per puff into his/her lung. The finding documented in [6]  also suggests that the most dangerous to others in the vicinity of a smoker is not the exhaled second-hand smoke.

According to information from a Canadian government webpage [7 ], tobacco smoke is one of the contributors of burden of mercury in human bodies, because mercury from the soil is taken into the plant primarily by the growing root and subsequently translocated to the leaves along with other nutrients. The webpage says, "Cigarette smoke contains up to 11.5 nanograms of mercury per cigarette in mainstream smoke and up to 16.6 nanograms of mercury per cigarette in side stream smoke." It should be understood that the normal acceptable treshold of mercury concentration in air is 5 ng/m3.

So, if the measurement documented in Ref [6]  is accurate, then each smoker effectively deposits at least 8.214 nanograms of mercury per puff into his/her lung. The finding documented in [6]  also suggests that the most dangerous to others in the vicinity of a smoker is not the exhaled second-hand smoke. Relatively speaking, the amount of mercury from tabacco smoke is relatively small. However, as will be explained later, smoking is known to deplete the serum glutathione, which is the body's natural chelating agent for removal of mercury.

5/ Mercury from beauty products

Since pearl shells contain mercury and some other heavy metals, all pearl based beauty products contain mercury. In fact, some manufacturers even intentionally add mercury into their non-pearl based beauty products in a way to attain their expected whitening effects.

According manufacturers of some mercury-containing beacuty products, the whitening effects of these products do not last for longer than three months. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that the half-life of all forms of mercury in the blood stream is at most half a year. In three months' time, approximately half of the transdermally absorbed mercury will be excreted if the subjects have enough glutathione in the body. The unexcreted mercury toxicity in the blood will be spread to the central nervous system by ways of blood circulation.

All mercury containing beauty products should be avoided at all costs.

6/ Thimerosal-containing vaccines

(will be added later)

7/ Other sources of mercury

1. Fungicides (some)
2. Limestones
3. Some prescription drugs
4. Polluted Water
5. Diuretics (some)
6. Button Batteries
7. Broken energy saving lamps

Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning

Short-term inhalation of mercury vapour causes difficulty in breathing, cough and chest tightness (or so-called blocking of the heart charka) within a few hours. In theory, the non-neurological symptoms as a result of exposure to mercury is not expected to last forever. This is because the half-life of elemental mercury in blood for an average individual is just about 77 days. If one lives a strict vegan and amalgam-free lifestyle in a pollution-free environment for at least three months, most of the mercury burden in the blood will disappear, gradually and naturally.

Long-term exposure to mercury or mercury based compounds causes damage to the central nervous system. Very unfortunately, symptoms of mercury poisoning related to the central nervous system can take months, years or even decades to become noticable. The reason is simple. Since mercury has strong affinity for sulfhydryl-groups on amino acids, it bonds firmly to tissues in the central nervous system. Once attached to the nerve tissues, mercury can be rapidly transported inside the axon of the nerves to the spinal cord and brainstem. In the absence of any chelating agents, mercury will remain in the central nervous system for at least 15 years. Typically, the half-life of mercury in the central nervous system can be anywhere between 15 and 35 years.

Mercury is stored preferentially in the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and occipital cortex. Once stored, mercury causes direct damage to these gland. Since the pituitary gland (or so-called the third eye) is involved, most mercury toxic individuals often experience frequent urination and difficulty in meditation. When the thyroid gland is affected, secondary effects on metabolism can appear.

Mercury causes direct damage to the central nervous system. The most common signs of chronic mercury-induced nervous damage include tremor of the hands, tremors in the tongue and eyelids. Ultimately, a mercury toxic individual usually has difficulty walking and balancing.

Mercury toxic individuals can easily become mentally unstable. Signs of mercury-induced mental disruption include: wide mood swings, short-tempered, fear, sadness or pleasure without clear reason, disappointed in all the criticism, lack of confidence, hallucinations, memory loss and inability to concentrate.

Mercury toxicity is associated with cognitive decline. Mercury toxic individuals are usually reluctant to accept new ideas or to learn something new. Typically, the higher the mercury level in the body, the lower the intelligence.

Mercury poisoning is positively associated with a variety of health problems. These health problems can be physical or psychological. Physical Health Problems associated with mercury poisoning include:

1. Autism
2. Chronic fatigue
3. Amyotropic lateral sclerosis
4. Ankylosing spondylitis
5. Myasthenia gravis
6. Paresthesias (loss of sensation) and neuralgia
7. Vision, taste, smell and hearing disturbances
8. Vertigo and tinnitus
9. Multiple Sclerosis
10. Parkinson’s disease
11. Alzheimer’s’ disease
12. Other dementias
13. Hypothyroidism/Cold Extremities
14. Infertility
15. Poor libido
16. Impotency
17. Underactive thyroid
18. Other Endocrine problems
19. Rheumatoid arthritis
20. Juvenile arthritis
21. Lupus erythromatosus
22. Other autoimmune diseases
23. Multiple chemical sensitivities*
24. Diabetes
25. Hypertension
26. Fibromyalgia
27. Sciatica
28. Gastritis and Colitis
29. Irritable bowel syndrome
30. Crohn’s disease
31. Sleep disorders
32. Yeast syndrome

Psychological health problem associated with mercury poisoning includes:

1. “Brain fog” or poor focus/concentration*
2. Rage or being quick to anger*
3. Mood Swings
4. Indecisiveness*
5. Panic attacks
6. Attention deficit (ADHD)
7. Hyperactivity
8. Learning disabilities
9. Depression
10. Unexplainable sadness*
11. Joylessness*
12. Fearfulness*
13. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
14. Manic-depressive disorder (now known as bipolar disorder)
15. Anorexia nervosa
16. Bulimia

Can We Self-diagnose Mercury Toxicity?

It is not impossible to determine if one becomes a possible victim of mercury poisoning, even without any test instrument or health care providers. In general, mercury poisoning can become a possibility if any combination of the following conditions is observed:

1. sneezing when looking directly at the sun
2. chest tightness
3. excessive hair loss
4. excessive salivation
5. frequent urination
6. persistent fatigue
7. unbearable headache
8. oral inflammation
9. gum disease --- including dark line of mercury sulfide on gums, loosening and loss of teeth
10. constant runny nose
11. sinusitis
12. ringing in the ears, or tinnitus
13. memory deterioration
14. brain fog
15. tremor of the hands, tongue and/or eyelids
16. "needle sensation" at lymph nodes under arms, in groin and in the liver region
17. irregular heartbeat
18. metallic taste in the mouth
19. difficulty in concentration
20. hearing and vision disturbances
21. chewing one's own tooth while asleep
22. dry eyes

Half-lives of Mercury in the Human Body

The half-life of elemental mercury in the blood is approximately 60 to 77 days. The half-life of organic mercury in the blood can be anywhere between 50 days to 125 days. The half-life of mercury in the central nervous system is anywhere between 15 years to 30 years.

In other words, if one's blood brain barrier is not leaky, the mercury in the blood will be excreted naturally within half a year. However, in the absence of any chelating agents, the mercury in the brain or the central nervous system can last for decades. If one managed to avoid any intake of mercury, his/her brain mercury will be definitely higher than the blood mercury. This is exactly what we need for safe chelation of mercury.

Effects of Sex Hormones on Mercury Toxcities

According to a theory advanced by Mark and David Geier [9 , 10], the male hormone testosterone potentiates the mercury toxicity, while female hormones tend to mask some of the toxic effects of mercury. Geier's research group used the ratio in length of send and fourth figers to estimate the levels of testosterone in prenatal amniotic fluids in autistic children. They successfully observed that the severity of autism correlates with levels of testosterone in prenatal amniotic fluid, suggesting that testosterone may play a key role in mercury-induced neurological disorders. The researchers also propose the use of testosterone-lowering therapies to mitigate the toxicities of mercury. They say that treatments that address the role of testosterone in mercury toxicity could benefit patients with other disorders in which mercury appears to play a role. These, they say, include Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, obesity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), asthma, and a variety of autoimmune disorders.

Previous studies have shown that female hormone progesterone not only supports the normal development of neurons in the brain, but also offers a protective effect on damaged brain tissue [36 ]. Perhaps, this is the real reason why female hormones tend to suppress some of the toxic effects of mercury.

Hormone therapy has already been practised in some countries or being investigated as a way of preventing cardiovascular and mental diseases [11 ]. However, it has been shown that the risks exceeded the benefits. There is no evidence suggesting that hormone replacement therapies would significantly alter the total amount of mercury accumulated in the human body. In fact, according to some of evidence gathered by the author, some of the toxic effects (including chest tightness, sensitivity to sunlight, mental exhaustion and persistent fatigue) are almost unaffected by replacement of sex hormones. Hormone replacement therapy is unlikely the permanent solution to the problem, because the mercury in the blood or central nervous system will not be removed through a hormone replacement therapy.

Glutathione, the Body's Natural Chelating Agent for Removal of Mercury

Glutathione is the body's natural chelating agent for removal of mercury and many other heavy metals. Glutathione in human declines with age. Perhaps, this explains why glutathione deficiency is believed to be a factor that worsens many degenerative diseases associated with mercury poisoning.

Cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel are glutathione-depleting metals [25]. Production of glutathione in our bodies declines with age or in the presence of oxidative stress. Since our bodies do not have an unlimited supply of glutathione, and since our bodies need glutathione for removal of heavy metals, the presence of any of these metals in the body will slow down the excretion of mercury, cadmium, lead and/or nickel.

It is impossible to increase the body's glutathione levels by taking oral glutathione supplements. The reason is because, before it is absorbed, the ingested glutathione is usually broken down by in the gastrointestinal tract, most notably the liver, by an enzyme called gamma-glutamyltranspeeptidease. However, glutathione can be taken by injection or by inhalation.

Mercury Build-up Contributes to Glutathione Deficiency.

Many studies have independently shown that cadmium, mercury, nickel and lead deplete glutathione and protein-bound sulfhydryl groups, setting free oxidative radicals of superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide as well as hydroxyl radicals [25]. Glutathione deficiency is associated with many degenerative diseases, including, but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

However, food based nickel is not as worrying as other glutathione-depleting metals. Although nickel depletes glutathione, independent studies have shown that 27% of nickel sulphate given to humans in drinking water was systematiically absorbed compared with only 1% when it was given in food [26, 27, 31]. Vitamin E and some other food-based antioxidants can mitigate the toxicities of nickel, which is usually poorly absorbed in the body [28]. The elimination half-life of nickel is also very short. According a study [29], urinary elimination half life for orally absorbed nickel of 17 - 48 hours has been observed.

However, stainless steel implant is a different story. Nickel is usually added to the stainless steel alloy to make the alloy non-magnetic. A stainless steel implant releases a significant amount of nickel ions to the blood stream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Regardless of how short the life time of nickel in the body is, the continuous supply of nickel ions will eventually deplete most of the glutathione, thus weakening the body's immune system to chelate mercury, lead and cadmium [33 , 34 ]. Since production of glutathione declines with age, elderly people with stainless steel implants are particularly prone to nickel toxicity due to the shortage of glutathione in their bodies.

Biological half-lives of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel are tabulated as follows:

Elements	Half-life
Cadmium in Kidney	6 to 38 years
Cadmium in Liver	4 to 19 years
Cadmium in bone	~30 years
Lead in bone	~10 years
Lead in adult human blood	28 to 36 days
Lead in soft-tissue	~40 days
Organic mercury in blood	70 days
Organic mercury in the head region	60 to 400 days
Organic mercury in brain	15 to 30+ years
Inorganic mercury in liver	90 days
Elemental mercury in the body	60 to 77 days
Nickel in serum/blood	11 hours

Gamma-glutamyltransferase, a Body's Enzyme that Leads to Depletion of Glutathione

Gamma-glutamyltransferase is basically a marker of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a well-known cause contributing to depletion of glutathione stores and a compensatory increase in Gamma-glutamyltransferase. However, there is evidence suggesting that gamma-glutamyltransfera is not only a marker of oxidative stress, but also a pro-oxidant that release free radicals to cause oxidative stress [22 ][23 ][24 ].

Found in many tissues, most notably the liver, gamma-glutamyltransferase has been routinely used as a non-invasive marker for liver and bile disorders. It is also a risk marker for a multiplicity of other chronic diseases, most of which are mercury related. People with high serum gamma-glutamyltransferase usually have higher mortality.

A study from German Cancer Research Center even reveals that gamma-glutamyltransferase is a strong risk indicator of all-cause occupational disability and is in particular associated with disability pension due to diseases of the digestive system, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular, and mental diseases [20 ].

Scientists have identified that gamma-glutamyltransferase is positively associated with alcohol consumption, meat intake and smoking. [17 ]

Other factors positively associated with increased levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase include body mass index, diabetes mellitus, serum total cholesterol, and air flow obstruction [21 ].

On the other hand, gamma-glutamyltransferase was found to be inversely associated with intake of plant-based foods, physical activity and lung function.

Contrary to many people think, one study suggests that vitamin supplements were found to be positively associated with gamma-glutamyltransferase [17 ].

Many drugs are known to elevate the gamma-glutamyltransferase levels. These drugs include, but not limited to, barbiturates, phenytoin.[18 ], NSAIDs, St. John's wort, and aspirin.

Why A Strict Vegan Lifestyle is Very Important?

As mentioned previously, food mercury has been detected in Taiwan, in decreasing order of mercury concentration, in fish, nonfish seafoods, eggs, meats, soybean products, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fruit. In addition, scientists have also detected mercury in mushrooms and many products containing high-fructose corn syrup. It is counter-productive to overload our bodies with more mercury by consuming meat-based foodstuffs. A vegan lifestyle is the best defence against bioaccumulation of mercury through the food chain.

Although meat products contain less mercury than fishes and seafoods, scientists have discovered that meat intake is positively associated with the gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. As opposed to the non-heme iron from plant-based diets, heme iron in meat products is a catalyst in generating oxidative stress which elevates the gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. The increase in gamma-glutamyltransferase activity contributes to uptake of mercury in the body. Heme metabolism is also related to metabolic changes seen in ageing and age-related disorders and highlights the possible role in iron deficiency [37 ].

To chelate the brain mercury safely, we need to make sure the brain mercury concentration is substantially higher than the blood mercury concentration. If we fail to keep this concentration gradient across the blood brain barrier, then the mercury in the blood will diffuse back into the brain during the chelation process, ending up with more mercury in the brain. The mercury in the blood will be excreted naturally within half a year. The mercury in the brain will, however, last for decades. If one managed to avoid any mercury by staying in a strict vegan lifestyle, his/her brain mercury concentration will be naturally higher than the blood mercury concentration. This is exactly what is required for safe chelation of mercury from the body.

Why Vitamin D is Very Important?

Vitamin D is known to increase the glutathione levels. However, glutathione is the body's natural chelating agent to remove mercury. Glutathione is also the safest chelating agent for chelation of brain mercury. This means we can increase the intake of vitamin D in a way to increase our body defense against mercury poisoning. But where can we get eougth vitamin D?

The cheapest and easest way to get more vitamin D is through exposure to ultraviolet-B light. This ultraviolet-B light can come from the sun, electric plasma from tesla coils or simply a UV-B lamp. Vitamin D is naturally produced in the skin in the presence of ultraviolet-B light. Increase in vitamin D from the skin will elevate the levels of activated vitamin D in the brain. The activated vitamin D will in turn elevate the glutathione levels.

In fact, many victims of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have experienced a temporary relief in many symptoms after half an hour's exposure to sunlight. [16 ].

Why Meat, Caffeine, Alcohol and Cigarette Smoke Are So Bad?

Intake of meat, caffeine, alcohol and cigarette smoke elevate the serum gamma-glutamyltranspeeptidease, which, in turn, depletes glutathione. But glutathione is necessary for removal of mercury from the body.

On the other hand, elemental mercury and organic mercury in the human body are dissolvable in lipid and alcohol. Alcohol that has been absorbed after a drinking session can accelerate mobilization of mercury from the blood stream into the brain by way of blood circulation. Remember, in the absence of any chelating agent, the mercury redistributed to the brain or the central nervous system will stay there for at least 15 years.

Which Drugs or Chemicals Deplete Glutathione?

Glutathione-depleting drugs or agents include, but limited to, alcohol, caffeine and acetaminophen (including tylenol and panadol).

As well, drugs that increase the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase can indirectly deplete glutathione, because gamma-glutamyltransferase is an enzyme known to breakdown glutathione. These drugs include barbiturates and phenytoin, NSAIDs, St. John's wort, and aspirin.

What Else will Increase the Serum Glutathione?

Alpha Lipoic Acid is known to increase the production of glutathione. Experimental evidence from Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University [18 ] suggests that alpha lipoic acid tends to restore levels of glutathione, a protective antioxidant and detoxification compound, to those of a young animal. It is also one of the few chelating agents which can cross the blood brain barrier, chelating mercury and some other heavy metals from the brain.

According to the reseach findings from Linus Pauling Institute at lpha Lipoic Acid Oregon State University [19 ], alpha lipoic acid, together with Acetyl-L-carnitine, has been found to significantly increase the ability of "geriatric" beagle dogs to learn a new task. The cognitive gain in animals is possibly due to the fact that alpha lipoic acid increases production of glutathione, which is necessary for removal of mercury.

In addition, alpha lipoic acid has the following benefits:

1. It acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent against many degenerative diseases.
2. It acts as a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals in the body.
3. It alleviates glaucoma and protects the lens and retina of the eyes from degeneration.
4. It helps to detoxify the liver.
5. It can lower blood sugar levels.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound. Our bodies can produce alpha lipoic acid, but only to a limited extent.

However, alpha lipoic acid is not without any side effects. Excessive dose of alpha lipoic acid can lead to nausea, low blood sugar and stomach upset.

Reference

[1] M. D. Dickman, C. K. M. Leung and M. K. H. Leong, "Hong Kong male subfertility links to mercury in human hair and fish  ", The Science of The Total Environment Volume 214, Issues 1-3, 18 June 1998, Pages 165-174

[2] Yi-chun Chen, "The relationship of mercury intake from food consumption and hair mercury level of Taiwan population ", Doctoral Dissertation, Chung San University, July, 2009.

[3] Smoking Teeth = Poisoning Gas 

[4] Blood Mercury Levels Rising Among U.S. Women 

[5] Mercury Toxicity (I) 

[6] Timothy Ray, "The Mitigation of Mercury Vapor Inhalation and Exhalation in People with Dental Amalgam Fillings", Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, November 2002, #232

[7] "Scientists highlight mercury threat ", BBC News, World Edition, Friday, 13 September, 2002, 20:03 GMT 21:03 UK

[8] How Mercury Kills the Brain ~ Autism

[9] Testosterone: a Key to Understanding Mercury-Autism Link? 

[10] Mark R. Geier and David A. Geier, "The potential importance of steroids in the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders and other disorders involving mercury toxicity", Medical Hypotheses, Vol. 64, No. 5, 2005, 946-54. Address: Mark R. Geier, Genetic Centers of America, 114 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905.

[11] Hormone replacement in Brazil 

[12] MERCURY Found in Thousands of Foods & Soda's Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup! 

[13] Dose, Absorption, Distribution, Biotransformation, and Excretion of Mercury 

[14] Vegetarian diets and exposure to organochlorine pollutants, lead, and mercury 

[15] Charles P. Davis, "Mercury Poisoning", emedicinehealth

[16] How to Manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Intelligently 

[17] Duk-Hee Lee, Lyn M Steffen and David R Jacobs, Jr, "Association between serum {gamma}-glutamyltransferase and dietary factors: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study ", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 4, 600-605, April 2004

[18] Lipoic Acid Explored As Anti-Aging Compound 

[19] You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks -- With The Right Diet 

[20] Claessen H, Brenner H, Drath C, Arndt V, "Gamma-glutamyltransferase and disability pension: A cohort study of construction workers in Germany ", Hepatology. 2009 Dec 4.

[21] " γ-Glutamyl transferase and airflow obstruction in middle-aged men",   European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 5, Pages 348-351, H.Sakuta, T.Suzuki, H.Yasuda, T.Ito

[22] Paolicchi A, Tongiani R, Tonarelli P, Comporti M, Pompella A. "gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase-dependent lipid peroxidation in isolated hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells" 

[23] Drozdz R, Parmentier C, Hachad H, Leroy P, Siest G, Wellman M. "gamma-Glutamyltransferase dependent generation of reactive oxygen species from a glutathione/transferrin system." 

[24] Enoiu M, Aberkane H, Salazar JF, Leroy P, Groffen J, Siest G, Wellman M.,"Evidence for the pro-oxidant effect of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-related enzyme. "

[25] Oxidative mechanisms in the toxicity of metal ions. 

[26] International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) (1991). Chemical. Environmental Health Criteria 108: Nickel. WHO. Geneva.

[27] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (2005). Toxicological Profile for Nickel. US Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, US.

[28] Differences in the effect of vitamin E on nickel sulfide or nickel chloride-induced chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells.  

[29] Exacerbation of Nickel Induced Oxidative Response by Vitamin E 

[30] World Health Organization (WHO) (2000). Air Quality Guidelines for Europe. WHO Regional Publications, European Series, No. 91. 2nd edition. WHO Regional Office for Europe. Copenhagen.

[31] Nickel - Kinetics and Metabolism 

[32] Cernichiari E, Brewer R, Myers GJ, Marsh DO, Lapham LW, Cox C, Shamlaye CF, Berlin M, Davidson PW, Clarkson TW. Monitoring methylmercury during pregnancy: maternal hair predicts fetal brain exposure. Neurotoxicology 16(4):705-710 (1995).

[33] Comparative study of antioxidant enzymes in tissues surrounding implant in rabbits. 

[34] Cr (VI) inhibits DNA, RNA and protein syntheses in hepatocytes: involvement of glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione and DT-diaphorase. 

[35] Amalgam derived mercury in feces 

[36] Sex hormone progesterone to get head injury trial  

[37] Heme, iron, and the mitochondrial decay of ageing. 

Disclaimer:

1/ The information in this article is not a substitue for medical advice. However, the author is NOT here to encourage you to seek advice from incompetent doctors without even researching into the problem.

2/ Most of the information in this article is pieced together from a variety of sources and has been filtered according to the author's knowledge and experience. Howevrer, this does not necessarily mean the information appearing in this article is accurate and free of errors. The author believes in the judgement, intelligence and wisdom of the readers of such contents to discern for themselves among the information which is valid, worthy or otherwise.

3/ This article will be actively updated whenever correction is warranted and/or new information on mercury poisoning becomes available. If there are any errors found in this article, please let me know and I will be happy to correct them.