Mercury is a well-known neurotoxin that has been linked to multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and mood ­disorders.

The major sources of mercury in the diet are large fish such as tuna, shark, king mackerel, swordfish and shellfish. Canned light tuna tends to have less mercury in it, but pregnant women are still advised to consume it less than three times per month.
Other major sources of mercury are dental amalgams and fluorescent light bulbs. In fact, inhaled mercury vapour has approximately 60 percent higher absorbability than ingested mercury, so it is very important to be cautious of broken fluorescent lights.
To help detoxify accumulated mercury in the body:

1. Ensure that you get enough zinc. Zinc is needed to make metal-binding protein, one of the body's main heavy metal-chelating proteins.
2. Take supplemental N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or glutathione, and/or R+ alpha lipoic acid. These powerful antioxidants can help negate the oxidative damage caused by mercury, and they also help neutralize mercury so it can be excreted.
3. Limit your exposure to mercury as much as possible. When financially feasible, get your silver dental amalgams replaced by a qualified holistic dentist.

--Vanessa Peacock, RNCP/ROHP, Nourish Nutritional Therapy, Lower Mainland, BC (778) 866-7009

Want to search for other articles that may interest you?

Readers of this article also enjoyed...