Excerpts from What You Don’t Know Ma be Killing You! by Don Colbert, M.D.
Copyright 2000 ISBN: 0-88419-627-5
Chapter 1: The Menace of Mercury
If you fillings have turned black you may be in trouble. (page 10)
Mercury, a well-known toxic heavy metal, has been scientifically proven unstable and has been shown to slowly bleed out of the amalgam filling. It finds a home inside the human body, mainly concentrating in the liver, kidneys, brain and endocrine glands. A recent study at the University of Tennessee showed mercury to be second only to radioactive plutonium on the toxic scale of inorganic heavy metals. (page 10)
Heavy metal toxicity (as occurs in the slow release of mercury from amalgam fillings) is very slow. Usually the victims simply feel bad. They may say, “I don’t know what is wrong with me – I just don’t feel good, and I am very tired.” (page 11)
Whether or not mercury silver fillings cause specific diseases is an important issue facing medical researchers today. Mercury exposure from any source and in any amount will usually cause mercury poisoning to some extent. (page 12)
The Effects of Mercury Poisoning (page 12)
· It inhibits DNA repair.
· It alters the cell’s ability to control the exchange of materials coming into and going out of the cell.
· It can alter the specific arrangements of atoms within a molecule (the tertiary structure of molecules), thus producing a nonfunctional chemical.
· It can hinder the function of enzymes.
· It interferes with nerve impulses.
· It produces autoimmune responses.
· It interferes with endocrine function.
· It displaces other good minerals in the body.
· It can kill or alter digestive bacteria.
· It can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
What are the Symptoms of Mercury Exposure? (pages 12 - 14)
Some of the symptoms that may be associated with mercury exposure include:
· Tremors in fine voluntary muscle movements, such as handwriting.
· Depression, fatigue, increased irritability, moodiness and nervous excitability.
· Inability to concentrate and loss of memory.
· Insomnia or drowsiness.
· Nausea and diarrhea.
· Loss of appetite.
· Birth defects and miscarriages.
· Nephritis or symptoms of kidney disease.
· Pneumonitis.
· Swollen glands an tongue.
· Ulceration of oral mucosa.
· Sores and ulcers in the mouth.
· Dark pigmentation of gums and loosening of teeth.
The lunula, which are the “half moons” at the base of the nail, amy have disappeared. Your fingernails are the windows of your body. (page 13)
When I was mercury-toxic,only my thumbs had lunula. Since I’ve detoxified, all of my half moons have returned on my fingers except on my little fingers (you’re not supposed to have one on your little finger). This alone is not always a sign of mercury poisoning, yet it is common. (page 14)
There is also concern that mercury leads to memory problems – often termed “mercury fog”. It can impede the nerve cell’s expiratory system – the nerve cells can’t get the nutrients in or expel the waste out. The resulting “fog” can trigger loss of memory. (page 14)
When I discovered that I had mercury poisoning, my attack on my problem was twofold. First, I went through a special mercury detoxification regime to begin binding the mercury and to strengthen my immune system by using vitamins, minerals, amino acids, chlorella (a form of algae), garlic and other supplements. Next I had the eight large amalgam fillings in my mouth taken out and replaced with porcelain. It was both the detoxification program and the removal of the fillings that made a significant difference. My renewed energy level was astounding. (page 15)
Dietary Considerations (pages 18 -19)
The largest dietary source of mercury comes from fish and fish products.
Most tuna have a fairly high content of mercury.
During your detoxification program, limit your consumption of tuna, shrimp and lobster. To be safe, you may want to eliminate all fish from your diet while you are detoxifying.
Pork and fatty cuts of red meat should also be eliminated from the diet during detoxification.
To enhance excretion of mercury and other toxic metals, increase fiber intake to 30-40 grams per day.
Eat unsweetened yogurt to assist in the maintenance of your intestinal flora, or take Lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidus.
Drink a minimum of two quarts of filtered water daily. A gallon of water daily si the preferred intake.
Chewing gum causes the release of mercury vapor from amalgams.
Normally, safe seafood includes:
Pacific (not Atlantic salmon)
Red snapper
Flounder
Grouper
Mahi-mahi
Pompano
Sea bass
Avoid:
Shark
Swordfish
Farm-raised catfish
Stripped bass
Lake trout
Bluefish
02/01/2004 Sunday
I shared with Pastor Jeff my plan to remove my silver amalgams. I told him how on the previous week I had difficulty in putting on my tie. I was able to conceptually figure it out and was able to put on my tie on subsequent days.
I feel that I have a physical and spiritual obligation to take care of my body – that is a major reason why I want to remove the silver amalgams.
1 Cor 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
1 Cor 3:16-17
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (NIV)
02/03/2004 Tuesday 1:30pm – 3:45pm
Five silver amalgams removed. I had requested prayer from family members and friends for the procedure. Keith Easter even said that he was praying during the dental procedure.
I was told that my skin may itch as the anesthesia was wearing off, and that I would need to take Advil for up to 72 hours. I experienced no discomfort during or after the procedure. I did not take Advil.
“The evil has been removed”.
I was told to eat soft foods like chicken noodle soup. I choose to have homemade plain yogurt and one gallon of water that evening – to start the mercury detox process.
02/04/2004 Wednesday
I had cereal for breakfast. I noticed that three of my five fillings had some tenderness when chewing. I was told that I may experience tenderness with my fillings for three months to a year.
02/05/2004 Friday
My fillings feel just fine – no tenderness when chewing. I went to lunch with my brother at a Mexican restaurant on Davis Island. I had crispy tacos and had no discomfort chewing my food.
04/10/2004 Saturday
I still experience ringing in my ears. The lunula is returning to the middle right finger. I have not had any feelings of depressive malaise since the amalgam removal.
06/30/2004 Wednesday
I still experience ringing in my ears. The lunula is returning to the left thumb, right thumb, and middle right finger. The lunula is a faint milky color and is irregular in shape. I continue to not have any feelings of depressive malaise since the amalgam removal.