Posted by Larry Hoover on May 8, 2003, at 14:18:41
In reply to Re: A quack means a dentist using quicksilver, posted by stjames on May 8, 2003, at 12:25:52
> Sigh,
>
> Well for me this becomes a non issue, as I indicated in the post above I have a large amount
> of amalgam and feel taking it out would be
> a health risk, do to increased exposure. Not to mention the cost and what to use in its place.
> So I tend to ignore what I cannot change.
>
> Also, since MattDDS is not answering my questions
> I am tending not to view his opinions as valid.
> I would like to hear his opinions on my options,
> if he thinks I have any.
>
> So, what say you, Larry ? Any ideas for dealing
> this load of mercury in my mouth ? Please don't say, "Take it out" as I do not have that kind of money !One of the simplest interventions is to increase your selenium intake. The covalent compound of selenium and mercury has a solubility in water that is so low it is almost unmeasurable (it's somewhere around 10 to -70). Selenium supplementation is synergistic with vitamin E, so always take E with selenium. Vitamin C has also been suggested as a possible strategy.
Sci Total Environ 2000 Jan 17;245(1-3):15-24
An assessment of selenium to mercury in Greenland marine animals.
Dietz R, Riget F, Born EW.
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark. rdi@dmu.dk
Information on mercury and selenium molar relation in muscle, liver and kidney tissue of Greenland marine animals is presented. In the majority of the samples selenium was present in a molar surplus to mercury. This was most clear in molluscs, crustaceans, fish and seabirds. A 1:1 molar ratio was found in tissues of marine mammals with high mercury concentrations (above approx. 10 nmol/g). This was most clearly demonstrated for liver and kidney tissue of polar bear and for ringed seal with high mercury concentration in the liver. These findings support previous results found in liver tissue of marine mammals, suggesting that methyl mercury is detoxified by a chemical mechanism involving selenium. If the anthropogenic release of mercury to the environment increases in the future due to increasing energy demands, species such as polar bears and seals with high tissue mercury concentrations should be monitored to elucidate whether this protective mechanism can be maintained in target organs.
Sci Total Environ 1984 Sep;38:33-40
Selenium and its interrelation with mercury in wholeblood and hair in an East Greenlandic population.
Hansen JC, Kromann N, Wulf HC, Alboge K.
138 Blood samples and 12 hair samples from the district of Angmagssalik, East Greenland, have been analysed for selenium and mercury. It was found that selenium like mercury, was absorbed in accordance with the amount of marine food eaten. The mean blood concentration in the group eating most marine food was 173 and 186 micrograms Hg/1 for men and women, respectively, while in the group eating the lowest quantity of marine food, the mean values were 86 and 118 micrograms Hg/1. In blood, the selenium and mercury did not correlate in individuals, but only in groups according to eating habits. On a molar basis, selenium is present in blood in excess as compared to mercury, while the opposite is the case for hair. It is concluded that only part of the selenium interacts with mercury, and that blood, but not hair, reflects present dietary intake. The righ supply of selenium in relation to mercury exposure through the traditional arctic food is probably able to alleviate the hazards from dietary mercury exposure.
Ann N Y Acad Sci 1980;355:212-26
Interactions of vitamin E and selenium with mercury and silver.
Ganther HE.
It is well established that the toxicity of silver and methylmercury is suppressed by the presence of low levels of vitamin E or selenium in the diet, but little is known of the mechanisms involved. Silver induces a conditioned deficiency of selenium in rats, as shown by its effects on tissue levels of selenium and glutathione peroxidase (a selenoprotein), but methylmercury does not. Supplements of selenium do not decrease mercury levels in tissues of animals given methylmercury, and animals given selenium plus methylmercury may accumulate high levels of mercury without signs of toxicity. Although an equimolar accumulation of selenium and mercury in tissues sometimes occurs and could lead to mutual detoxification, such a coaccumulation is not always linked to protection. The only known functions of vitamin E and selenium are related to the prevention of oxidative damage. It is possible that their protective effects against heavy metals may involve such functions, thus accounting for the protection afforded by low levels of the nutrients against high levels of the metal toxicants.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:223248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/225155.html