UNDERSTANDING
TOXICITY-RELATED DISORDERS
The Toxicity is the Disease: Can Our Bodies No Longer Detox?
Copyright 2003 by Howard Reminick, Ph.D., Ohno Institute on Water and
Health; USA
The body is under constant attack. Environmental contaminants make their way into the air, food and water, and invade our body. Rapid environmental changes in modern society have been a factor in the breakdown of the body's defenses and a rise in immune-related diseases. Although we are living longer, we are forced to live a longer period of time with chronic disease associated with aging, resulting from the life-long effects of environmental toxicity.
There is no doubt that the increase in environmental toxicity has influenced the incidence of diseases which do not respond to conventional medical treatment. Over the past century, business interests have superceded environmental health concerns and there is no indication that government will take a more aggressive stance to remedy this problem. It seems, based on this evidence, that we must look to effective ways to detoxify our bodies so its internal environment can begin to function normally again. As we consider effective detoxification approaches, we must also be more conscientious of the water we choose to drink.
Looking to our dangerous environment to seek answers to the specific causes of the extreme levels of toxicity, we are confronted with the increase of heavy, toxic metals which permeate our soil and water. Metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury now far exceed all maximum levels set by the EPA. Mercury is even more deadly because of its use in vaccines and dental amalgam fillings. Vaccines such as the MMR (measles) contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, in which there is conclusive evidence of its destructive effect on brain cells . By age 15 months, American children receive 174 mcg of thimerosal through vaccines alone. By age 2, they have received 237 micrograms of mercury . This exceeds EPA "safe" levels of .1 mcg/kg per day. Its causal relationship to developmental disabilities has been reported in several studies. In fact, it is so destructive that recent legislation has been enacted to prevent its use in vaccines.
Adding to this toxic overload is the extensive uses of prescriptive drugs, especially antibiotics, which have become the paradox of the century. Manufactured, promoted and prescribed to cure, they are actually destroying our bodies' ability to protect and function.
Certain symptoms or conditions seem to be consistent among those suffering from environmentally-related diseases. Among these are the 1) cell's inability to absorb adequate amounts of water to remain hydrated, 2) pH acidity, creating a condition in the blood known as acidosis, 3) immune system dysfunction due to an overload of toxicity, which inhibits proper excretion.
Because of the rapid increase in environmental contamination, many diseases, which have become common in western societies, are now emerging on a large scale in Asian nations, which previously had a low incidence. As has been the case in western nations and now in Asia, a deteriorating environment is directly related to a deteriorating body. Although chemically-altered food can be attributed to the rise of degenerative, aging-related disease, etiology must be shared with the deterioration of our drinking water, which has grown in direct proportion to the rise in incidence of environmentally-related diseases. It is only recently that a major campaign has been underway to identify and lobby for elimination of dangerous, toxic, heavy metals which are infesting our soil and water, which are believed responsible for the rise in incidence of environmentally-related diseases.
Even as we are able to identify the toxic metals dumped into our environment and their resulting destructive influences, a bulk of the problem must still be attributed to our dietary choices and indifference to principles of good health. The typical American diet over the past 50 years has increasingly included more processed, chemically-contaminated foods. Over the years medical researchers have shown that saturated fats, white flour, refined sugar and starches, red meat, chemical additives and pesticides, all commonly found in the American food supply, are major contributors to the high incidence in colon and prostate cancers, as well as a multitude of serious intestinal disorders. Incidence in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, as well as other immune-related diseases are statistically frightening. Type II diabetes, whose onset has been manifested during adulthood, is now a major incidence among children. We are seeing these incidence rates continue to increase.
As a result of the processed and fast food industries, hundreds of dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, industrial pollutants, dyes, and preservatives have entered our food chain, along with hormones and other enhancement drugs used on animals to quicken their marketability. This dilemma is dangerously compounded by the high, aggressive use of antibiotics. The use of prescribed antibiotics promote putrefaction by degrading the chemistry in flora in antibiotic-fed animals and are loaded with chemical toxins, which may be transmitted to humans by ingestion in food. Food grown on nutrient-depleted soil and animals grazing on grass riddled with toxic chemicals, along with a diet of synthetically-manufactured hybrid foods, are a major source of human toxicity. Our public drinking water supply is no longer potable.
Mercury Toxicity
Although controversial, there is now overwhelming evidence that we are exposed to levels of mercury far beyond the body's ability process and excrete safely. There are over 125 known symptoms of mercury toxicity. Although most reports are vague and nonspecific, there is much evidence to support the role of mercury toxicity in heart disease, multiple sclerosis, autism and even Alzheimer's disease.
The area of greatest controversy over the adverse effects of mercury seems to be in dentistry. The official position of the American Dental Association on amalgam is that not enough mercury is released to pose a hazard, despite hard evidence to the contrary. Dental schools have long taught that when mercury is bound to silver in the amalgam, it does not escape to create toxicity within the body.
The position held by the American Dental Association, that although mercury is released from amalgam fillings, the amount is so small that it could not cause any health problem except in those hypersensitive or allergic to mercury. This is what was reported by the National Institute of Dental Research in 1984.
The largest test in the world on mercury release from amalgam fillings into saliva was initiated in 1995 at the University of Tubingen, Cologne, Germany. The saliva of 17,500 subjects was analyzed for mercury content and was related to the number of amalgam fillings of each individual. Results showed that 43% of the subjects had many times higher mercury levels than the 43 microgram maximum daily dose limit considered safe by the World Health Organization. It was found that in many cases the level of mercury was between 10 and 100 times over the acceptable limit.
As far as evidence to support the benefit of removing dental mercury amalgams, the Foundation for Toxic-Free Dentistry reported that 14% of patients with amalgams had some type of allergy and after replacement of amalgams, 89% reported improvement or total elimination of their allergic condition.
There is a major piece of legislation before Congress, H.R. 4163, To prohibit after 2006 the introduction into interstate commerce of mercury intended for use in dental filling and other purposes. Stated in the findings, which are part of the Congressional Record, is evidence which identifies mercury as a highly toxic element and that mercury is emitted from dental amalgam fillings. It evens specifies specific ways in which mercury is injurious to health. The result of passage of this bill should lead to alternative, non-toxic substances being accepted by insurance carriers for reimbursement.
Probably the cruelest aspect of organized dentistry's pro-mercury agenda is forcing low-income children and pregnant women to get mercury fillings. Some states are now dealing with this problem and have passed legislation making it mandatory that dentists present the hazards of and options to amalgams. The California Assembly voted 75 to 1 to direct Medi-Cal (Medicaid) to stop forcing mercury fillings on California's low-income families. The bill by Assemblyman Jerome Horton (D-Los Angeles), A.B. 999, will allow the patient and dentist to choose the filling.
If the bill becomes law (it must still pass the Senate), Medicaid patients may seek out mercury-free dentists to do their fillings. Mercury-free dentists -- generally forced out of Medicaid systems because they won't put mercury in children's bodies -- may now participate. With overwhelming support in California, the nation's trendsetter state, this vote may signal a shift in Medicaid across the country -- and with private insurance systems as well.
A broad coalition of health, consumer, environmental, clergy, and senior citizen groups have endorsed Assemblyman Horton's bill. The California Dental Association (CDA) also endorsed it and worked hard for its passage -- marking the second time this year that CDA has broken with the ADA. The first was signing Proposition 65 warnings and sending them to every dentist in the state. The warnings say amalgam "causes exposure to mercury, a chemical known to the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm."
In order to add to the body of knowledge which exists in biological dentistry, a study is now underway by the Ohno Institute on Water and Health to investigate whether the experimental variable, a naturally magnetized water from Japan, known for its ability to detoxify tissues, promote assimilation and transportation of nutrients into the cells, and increase cell hydration can promote the excretion of mercury from the body after the removal of dental amalgams.
Previous to this investigation, a similar study was done with patients of a biological dentist in Los Angeles, who consumed one bottle of this water after an IV-DMPS chelation , following an amalgam removal procedure. Results on a six hour urine provocation analysis reported an 83% greater mercury excretion level among the Subjects who consumed a naturally magnetized water over the group who consumed a bottle of a non-magnetized commercial bottled water. It was hypothesized, therefore, that a controlled, a follow-up study with a population consuming a naturally magnetized water without a chelation could provide data that was statistically significant to support the results of previous studies on the effect of a naturally magnetized water as a mercury excretion agent.
Mercury in Brain Toxicity and Autistic Syndrome Disorder
Recent developments in research have identified the presence of elevated mercury levels in brains of autistic children. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable. Closer study of this relationship has contributed to a search for answers within the medical science community, which may reveal new, effective methods. However, until a massive educational campaign is underway which identifies and allows healthy choices in pre-conception and pre-natal care; and unless legislation required to control chemical dumping which leads to increased mercury levels in our water supply and food sources is enacted, stopping the "autism epidemic" will not happen soon enough.
Autistic Syndrome Disorder (a term which is now more widely used than autism to describe a wider variety of like symptoms and behaviors) is among the fastest rising childhood diseases. California has the highest incidence, its proportion far exceeding other states even when taking into account that it is the most populated state. A report issued by the California Department of Developmental Disabilities showed the rate of increase in autism in California between 1987 and 1998 was 273 percent. In 1992-1993, there were 1,605 reported cases. In 200-2001, there were 10,557 cases, a 558% increase. Statistics from all 50 states show amazing percentages of increase during these same periods. More and more reports by doctors and medical research scientists are convinced that thimerosal is responsible for the increased rise in this disease.
Discovering and addressing the damaging effect of mercury toxicity on brain cells, which can lead to developmental disabilities such as autism, is only one piece of the puzzle. Autism is a multi-factor problem, which has ramifications medically, psychologically, environmentally, educationally, socially and economically, which makes it a political issue. Each of these issues must be addressed both specifically and with an inter- disciplinary approach.
Labels identifying autism as a "Behavioral Disorder" or "Bad Parenting" are no longer acceptable. Discovery of causal factors seem to indicate that although genetics may be significant, the more likely cause may be an auto-immune reaction, resulting from mercury toxicity. Dr. Jeffery Bradstreet, a leading expert in autism, believes that autism should be classified as toxic encephalopathy.
As more evidence is
presented, it is becoming
clearer that autism may be related to other immune-related diseases
such as Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, and that mercury
is the culprit. Certain factors are present which make a strong case
for identifying mercury as the key to unraveling the mysteries
associated with these diseases. Some of the constants which are seen in
autism are:
- Mercury is more prevalent in their brain cells and more readily binds. Therefore, there is an inability to excrete mercury from brain tissues.
- A less effective immune system, which results in a higher incidence of allergies compared non-autistic populations.
- There is evidence that brain cells are dehydrated, compared to those of normal Populations.
The blood-brain barrier is a protective membrane of the cerebral capillaries. Its job is to maintain constancy of neurons, protecting them form toxic bonds. Although water, oxygen and carbon dioxide enter the blood-brain barrier easily, other substances trying to enter in the blood are slower. However, organic substances such as mercury do find their way in.
The blood-brain barrier is not developed in the pre-natal and infant stages. Therefore, brain cells are more permeable to metals and mercury accumulates more readily in the brain than in any other organ. Since mercury bonds more readily in brains of autistic versus non-autistic children, the brain function can more easily become disrupted, slowing development and creating behaviors typical to autistic children. Further investigation in other neurologic disorders, such as MS and Parkinson's may reveal similar circumstances with mercury bonding in the brain. Since the blood-brain barrier is either absent or less selective in the hypothalamus, this may explain the development of Alzheimer's disease. Perhaps it is time to take the focus off aluminum and look at mercury when explaining toxic influences in Alzheimer's.
The constitutionality of mandatory vaccines, based on the expectation that they will kill a certain number of children and substantially harm others, is being challenged in court. Mandatory immunizations are a routine requirements for attending school. By the time most children are five, they are injected with 77 vaccines. Over 200 new vaccines are in production; many of these will become mandatory.
Laws are even being proposed making vaccines mandatory for adults. Without compliance, air travel, public lodging and car rentals will be restricted. It is even possible for children to be taken from parents if mandatory vaccinations are not received. Doctors who use safer alternatives may be fined, lose hospital privileges and even lose their licenses.
What is the result of these mandatory, mass vaccinations? Autism spectrum disorders, allergies, asthma, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, dyslexia, sensory deficits, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and many other serious immune-related disorders that were rare until recently are being linked to childhood vaccinations.
Iatrogenic-related incidents account for the third leading cause of death in the United States, higher than in any other country in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from adverse drug reactions of legally prescribed FDA approved medications. According to government statistics, children under the age of 14 are three time more likely to suffer adverse effects, including death, following a hepatitis B vaccine than to catch the disease itself. Dr. Robert Byrd, epidemiologist and pediatrician at the University of California, Davis, is not a supporter of eliminating MMR vaccines, but he does believe that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in these vaccines, may be a causal factor in developmental disabilities with autism being one of them.
In April 2000, Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana, Chairman of the US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform, initiated a series of hearings into the relationship between vaccination and autism. In a statement, Burton criticized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Vaccine and Related biological Products Advisory Committee and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice. Members of these committees, including chairpersons, were found to own shares in the companies that make the vaccines. The CDC granted conflict-of-interest waivers to its committee members.
Testimony from parents with autistic children stated how their children had developed normally, then received triple vaccines of MMR or DPT and had gradually become autistic. Many researchers in the field of autism gave detailed evidence on the steep climb to near epidemic proportions of cases of autism detected. They explained that the cause of autism could not be attributed to genetics, because genetic effects are not present within only two decades, the time that multiple vaccines with mercury have become standard. As a result of these hearings and the efforts of key congressional leaders, recent federal legislation to remove thimerosal from the manufacture of vaccines, has been passed.
ALZHEIMER'S AND TOXICITY
Ten years ago the emphasis was on aluminum toxicity as a cause of destroying neuro structures and transmission related to Alzheimer's disease. Recently, there has been much evidence to support mercury as a much more dangerous toxin affecting Alzheimer's disease.
Progression of Alzheimer's disease involves loss of many brain functions including judgment, decision-making and discrimination. The encoding-decoding process is disturbed, and some motor dysfunctions such as aphasia and apraxia become present. The most devastating, however, seems to be memory loss. Physical changes in brain structure and brain mass have been identified through MRI studies, leading to identification of cognitive and motor dysfunctional manifestations. Neuronal loss, neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are key to the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Compounding the effects of Alzheimer's disease is drug intoxication and side effects of prescribed medication. For older adults, it is the most common cause of memory loss, confusion and disorientation. The elderly are a multi-medicated group (85% have at least one chronic illness, and usually two or three), and the physiological changes of age often make them more prone to adverse side effects and drug-drug interactions. Drugs are generally used for symptomatic treatment of depression and agitation with Alzheimer's patients, which are often exacerbated by overuse. Therefore, the attending physician is faced with finding minimum effective dosage. But there is also difficulty because Alzheimer's patients are often intolerant of medication and develop debilitating side effects, leading to hepatic toxicity and gastrointestinal problems. In addition is the greater proportion of fat cells that exist as the body ages, along with decreases in liver and kidney functioning, increasing the possibility of toxicity. Loss of brain chemistry also helps explain immune system defects, disrupted biochemical pathways, plus other metabolic abnormalities.
From at least a theoretical position it would seem that issues of chemical and mineral malabsorption, malnutrition and metabolic breakdown are critical and valid issues for future Alzheimer's disease study. More significantly, because the human body consists of over 70% water, and the brain 83% water, studies must be done to better understand the relationship of the water ingested and the rising incidence of Alzheimer's disease, as well as other neuropathology and auto-immune diseases. Also significant are studies to determine if the naturally magnetized water we have been investigating which has shown ability to excrete heavy metals such as mercury can have this same effect with Alzheimer's disease.
Another disease related to hypertoxicity is Type II Diabetes, a condition in which the body's cells are less responsive to insulin. This causes more insulin to be released by the pancreas, resulting in an excess amount of insulin circulating in the blood and often a craving for more food. Once thought as adult onset, Type II diabetes is growing rapidly among children, and along with autism, will be a common form of childhood illness. It is estimated that 10 to 30 percent of the adult population in the United States have some form of insulin resistance. It is also estimated that there are 7.5 million men and 9.0 million women in the United States aged 30 to 74 years with Type II diabetes. Of these, 1.5 million men and 0.45 million women, if untreated, will develop events associated with coronary heart disease in 10 years.
A review of literature on Type II diabetes seems to indicate that those suffering from this insidious disease have the same three problems that have been found in victims of other environmentally-related diseases whom we have studied - dehydration, limited ability to excrete heavy metals and an imbalance of pH acidity. We are currently conducting a study with Type II diabetics to determine if the naturally magnetized water can increase permeability and metabolism of insulin in cells.
There are very feasible solutions to reverse the direction of environmentally-related diseases. In addition to banning known toxins from being dumped,
- absolute control of the pharmaceutical industry to assure that any substance identified as toxic is banned in the manufacture of drugs.
- research should be started for development of an agent that prevents mercury from bonding in brain cells.
- investigate natural substances which induce excretion of toxins from the body.
- better pre-natal testing to determine indicators to environmentally-related diseases: 1) pre-disposing factors, 2) dietary allergies, 3) amniotic fluid and blood analysis to determine pre-disposing factors and genetic disturbances such as mercury levels.
- removal and replacement of mercury amalgam fillings.
- careful selection of foods. Very selective of fish. Elimination or control of processed and fast foods.
- careful selection of drinking water, preferably water that is naturally bio-energized and can increase cell hydration, increase cell detoxification and control pH acidity.
