Toxic effects of Mercury---Why you should avoid Mercury

Mercury is one of the most toxic metals---even more so than lead. This poison is found in our soil, water, and food supply, as well as in sewage sludge, fungicides, and pesticides. Mercury is a cumulative poison and a heavy metal that enters the atmosphere primarily from coal-burning electric utilities. Mercury found in lakes and oceans are converted by bacteria into methyl mercury a much more toxic substance. Some grains and seeds are treated with methyl mercury chlorine bleaches, which seep into food supply. Because methyl mercury contaminates our waters, large amounts are found in fish, particularly larger one that are farther up in the food chain. An estimated one-third or possibly more of America's lakes and one-fourth of its rivers now contain fish that may be contaminated with mercury. Methyl mercury is absorbed into the fat tissues of fish and can be found in most seafood especially bigger predatory fish like swordfish, title fish, shark, king mackerel, lobster, tuna (fresh, frozen and canned), grouper, halibut, Pollock, catfish, scallops etc.

Mercury is also present in a wide variety of everyday products, including cosmetics, dental fillings, fabric softeners, batteries, industrial instruments, inks used by printers and tattooists, latex, some medication, some paints, plastics, polishes, solvents and wood preservatives.

Because Mercury is a cumulative poison there is no barrier that prohibits mercury from reaching the brain cells, and it is retained in the pain center of the brain and in the central nervous system. The presence of mercury in the body-blood stream can prevent the normal entry of nutrients into cells. It can bind to immune cells, distorting them and interfering with normal immune responses. It can also prevent proper removal of waste from the cells and could cause autoimmune disorders.

Mercury can cause permanent kidney, cardiac, and respiratory problems.  Large amounts of mercury in the body could cause arthritis, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, fatigue, gum disease, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, insomnia, head-aches, joint pain, slurred speech, memory loss, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and excessive salivation. High levels of mercury can also interfere with enzyme activity, resulting in blindness and paralysis.

The U.s environmental protection Agency has linked exposure to mercury vapor to menstrual disorders and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Mercury exposure in pregnant women can cause neurological damage, such as lowered intelligence and delayed development in infants. In addition, the mortality rate for infants is significantly increased when mothers are exposed to mercury.

The symptoms of mercury poisoning can mimic those multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Children who have severe mercury poisoning can experience Acrodynia, a syndrome characterized by peeling and pinkness of the skin on the hands, nose, feet; blindness; increased heart rate; agitation; and pain in the arms and legs. 

Many food and environmental allergies may be directly linked to mercury poisoning. 

Signs indicating the presence of toxic mercury levels include behavioral changes, depression, confusion, irritability, and hyperactivity. People with mercury toxicity may experience allergic reactions and asthma. People with high mercury levels in their system may complain about a metallic taste in the mouth and loose teeth.

People get most of their mercury from eating fish. Microorganisms in the environment can convert inorganic mercury to the organic form methyl mercury. Methyl mercury can build up in the environment and accumulate in certain fresh water and salt water fish and marine mammals; when you then eat this seafood contaminated with methyl mercury it can be harmful to your health. Methyl mercury is a toxic form of mercury that can cause adverse effects to our health. It is particularly damaging to the embryos, which are five to ten times more sensitive poison than adults.

Mercury harms us, harms wild life on sea and land; it harms our pet when they eat food containing these fish or anything that is contaminated with mercury.  Mercury can accumulate in our environment hence affect the quality of our water we drink and the soil used to grow our food.

There has been concerned in regards to the safety of mercury in dental amalgams—(fillings) and it is estimated that the amount of mercury absorbed from fillings were too high. The measured levels in the brain, blood, and urine from an amalgam are about 1 to 3 micrograms per day. Toxic amounts are considered to be 30 micrograms per grams of creantinine a day (creantinine is a protein in the urine). You would need to have 450 to 530 fillings to achieve this level.
It is your duty to care for your health so, I do recommend you avoid foods and other products contaminated with mercury or methyl mercury especially if you have an infant or a young child in your home.

A few things you can do to prevent high level of mercury from entering into your body or home.

• First, eat organically grown foods, especially beans, onions, and garlic, for added sulfur, which helps protect the body against toxic substances.
• Drink purified water and drink made in mercury free materials; drink sufficient amount of green fruit and vegetable juices—may be 2 glasses of green juice per day.
• Include fiber, pectin from apples and high antioxidant food like goji berry, mushroom to your diet.
• Reduce the amount of fish you consume if you’re a fish eater, two 6 ounce servings a week is enough. Always clean the fish thoroughly and broil it; do not baste it in its juices. Although most fishes contain mercury, fish also contains compounds called alkylglycerols, which help to remove mercury from the body. If there is mercury in the fish, it is primarily stored in the fat. By broiling the fish and draining the juices, you will get rid of much fat and still retain the beneficial alkylglycerols. Good seafood includes canned light tuna, salmon, shrimp, catfish, and Pollock; although, if the fish is contaminated it is contaminated it is difficult to remove the mercury so it is wise you avoid high mercury fish such as titlefish, swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and albacone tuna but if you’re 100% concerned about your health I suggest completely avoid contaminated seafood.  Low-mercury fish tend to have lower amounts of omega-3 fats, so it is recommended that you eat other omega-3 foods like avocado and take high-quality omega-3 supplements to increase your omega-3 intake without the mercury.
• Brush regularly to prevent tooth decay, and maintain regular dental check-ups for yourself and your children to avoid having fillings in the first place.
• Avoid wearing jewelries contaminated with mercury or other impurities such like lead, PVP etc.

• Avoid painting your furniture or homes with paints containing mercury, lead or asbestos ingredients. If you have paints or batteries containing some mercury call your local disposal company to help you dispose it properly.

• If you suspect mercury toxicity from the above signs and symptoms having a hair analysis and urine test to detect the level of mercury in your body. This will help you know if blood purification or total body cleanse is ideal for you. 
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• Burdock root, red clover and activated Charcoal to help get rid of mercury or cleanse other toxins in your blood stream and body. 

Avoid Some Seafood and Avoid toxic Mercury

Mercury is one of the most toxic metals---even more so than lead. This poison is found in our soil, water, and food supply, as well as in sewage sludge, fungicides, and pesticides. Mercury is a cumulative poison and a heavy metal that enters the atmosphere primarily from coal-burning electric utilities. Mercury found in lakes and oceans are converted by bacteria into methyl mercury a much more toxic substance. Some grains and seeds are treated with methyl mercury chlorine bleaches, which seep into food supply. Because methyl mercury contaminates our waters, large amounts are found in fish, particularly larger one that are farther up in the food chain. An estimated one-third or possibly more of America's lakes and one-fourth of its rivers now contain fish that may be contaminated with mercury. Methyl mercury is absorbed into the fat tissues of fish and can be found in most seafood especially bigger  predatory fish like swordfish, title fish, shark, king mackerel, lobster, tuna (fresh, frozen and canned), grouper, halibut, Pollock, catfish, scallops etc.  According to a recent study, farm-raised salmon contain significantly more potential cancer causing pollutants than salmon caught in the wild. The researchers traced the contaminants to the food fed to farm salmon. An analysis found that the farmed salmon had similar pollutant level to the fish meal they eat. Researchers suggested that the aquaculture industry lean up its products by switching to Alternative protein feed based on plants, such as soybeans.

The current FDA standard, advice that women of childbearing age (especially those who are pregnant) should avoid fish containing high levels of mercury/methyl mercury such like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and title fish. All seafood consumption should be limited to 12 0z (340g) per week.

In the United States, the FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) considers a safe limit to be one part per million (ppm) of methyl mercury.

The United States environmental protection agency (EPA) considers 0.25ppm as an OK limit.

The Canadian health guidelines considers 0.5ppm to be a reasonable limit and advises all adult to limit consumption of seafood’s such as swordfish, shark, fresh or frozen tunas to one meal per week . Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should limit fish consumption to one meal a month.

Now if we accept these standards recommended it means we still consuming some amount of mercury and methyl mercury which could lead to possible health problems when eaten over a life course of an individual life, don’t you think? Considering most people who are not aware of these warning could be consuming an extreme amount of methyl mercury as they like and consume more seafood food. Although seafood is nutritious because it has low-saturated fat source of high quality protein rich heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, it makes sense to choose seafood  with the lowest in mercury level such as cat fish(0.07ppm mercury level),salmon, shrimp, haddock, (0.20ppm), scallop (0.05ppm), crab, sardines, flounder and Pollock used in frozen food products . It is advised that you trim the fat from fish and to choose canned light tuna over white canned tuna.

On the other hand it is very wise to avoid consumption of seafood to maintain your health. This is one of the reasons why vegans live longer and are known to have less health related diseases than their counterparts who consume seafood and meat.  We are advised by the media and schools that fish consumption for health reason is healthy but think again about the toxicity in these foods.  DR Neal Barnard, author of foods that fight pain an expert, tells that the environmental protection agency (EPA) revealed that women who ate fish just twice a week had blood mercury concentrations that were seven times higher than those of women who didn’t eat fish at all. Women who eat just one can of tuna per week will be 30 percent over the EPA cutoff for safe mercury levels.

Methyl mercury is particularly toxic to young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. It can have a negative effect on a developing brain causing neurological and behavioral effects.   It is found to increase the risk of heart disease in adults.

Mercury is known to cause severe health problems for humans, including brain damage, memory loss and damage to a developing fetus. One study showed that women who regularly ate fish were more likely to have babies who were sluggish at birth, had small head circumferences, and had developmental problems. Women who consume even low levels of fish contaminated with "polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and other toxins have much more difficulty during child birth.  Some of these chemicals remain in our body for many years causing health problems.  If you ask, why farm these live animals for food when we can get our fatty acids and nutrients from plant foods such as soybeans, flax seed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, soy products, canola oil, kiwifruits, hemp seed oil, olive oil, capsules, chia seed, echium seed, purslane, algae (seaweed- like spirulina that is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA)), and vegan DHA which are much safer and reliable source of omega 3 fatty acids without harmful toxins found in the flesh and fats of seafood’s. 

Author: Onyinye A 

Source: PETA Go vegetarian, Go Vegan starter kit
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