Mercury and
the Brain
by Burton Miller, DDS, PC
…findings
indicate that not only does mercury from
silver fillings affect the brain tubulin, but does so in a
pattern identical to Alzheimer’s disease. |
The effects of mercury
on the brain have been understood for a long time. Overt mercury
exposure (such as industrial exposure) has been known to affect motor
function, causing shakes, slurring of speech and physical impairment.
Other effects – often known as "Mad as a Hatter Syndrome"
– refer to dementia, depression and loss of memory.
In fact, the Mad Hatter
was quite a stereotype. At one time, milliners used heated mercury to
size felt when making hats, often touching their brushes to their
tongues after dipping it into the mercury solution. It was not
uncommon for such people to be considered eccentric after such
exposure.
Nowadays, such a large
exposure to mercury is rare. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), World Health Organization and others have
raised public consciousness about the dangers of many toxic
substances. With this information came guidelines for the safe
handling and disposal of such chemicals. These guidelines are used
every day, especially in the offices that use the largest
non-industrial quantity of mercury in the world – your local dentist
office.
"Silver"
dental fillings are comprised of roughly 50% mercury. Many studies
have shown that mercury – unique among metals for its physical
properties, such as being liquid at room temperature, evaporating
easily, and so on – is easily dissociated from its parent filling,
thus entering the bloodstream.
It has long been known
that mercury is not contained when it enters the human body. It has
the ability to cross several barriers, particularly the placenta and
the blood-brain barrier. The latter is a vastly important protective
mechanism, an impediment that selectively opposes the passage of ions
(electrically charged particles) and large molecular compounds from
entering the brain.
Once mercury passes the
blood-brain barrier, it can accumulate in the brain tissue due to its
affinity with lipoproteins (fat-protein combinations). Here it may
bring about a myriad of possible health defects. Mercury is more toxic
than lead, cadmium and even arsenic. J. Curt Pendergrass, Ph.D., a
toxicologist from the University of Kentucky is the author of numerous
scientific papers and very familiar with metallic toxins such as
mercury. One of the findings Dr. Pendergrass has presented is the
effect of mercury on brain tubulin.* Tubulin is the most abundant
protein found in brain matter, and is frequently used to determine
neurological impact of differing toxins. By studying the pattern of
inhibition, it is possible to determine the specific impact of a toxin
and whether or not it is a contributor to particular diseases.
Dr. Pendergrass’
findings indicate that not only does mercury from silver fillings
affect the brain tubulin, but does so in a pattern identical to
Alzheimer’s disease. The links between mercury and Alzheimer’s
have been suggested for years. This is the first study, however,
showing a direct effect of mercury on the brain.
In contrast, two
well-publicized studies directly refute these findings. The first,
referred to as the Nun Study, showed no reduction in the performance
of eight standardized tests of cognitive function relative to the
number of chewing surface amalgam fillings in the month. This test
focused on a population of 129 Roman Catholic nuns between the ages of
75 and 102. Due to their cloistered lives, the environmental
conditions were deemed similar for all.
The second study, which
received press in the Journal of the American Dental Association
(ADA), involved 68 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and 33
without, following their deaths. The researchers assayed multiple
regions of the brain for the presence of mercury. According to their
findings, there was no significant correlation between the number,
surface area or ages of the dental fillings and the appearance of AD,
and no significant difference between mercury levels of AD and non-AD
subjects.
These studies would
certainly seem to refute Dr. Pendergrass’ findings of the
suppression of brain tubulin but for three factors. First, the two
studies cited above were submitted to legitimate scientific journals
that peer-review all applications. These studies were rejected.
Secondly, they were published in the Journal of the ADA, which is not
peer-reviewed, not scientific in focus, and accepts advertising monies
from the makers of dental amalgams. Thirdly, Dr. Pendergrass’ study,
along with seven other studies that link mercury levels with increased
incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, were all published in
peer-reviewed scientific journals. (Interestingly, dentists authored
the two well-publicized studies. The other, peer-reviewed articles
were published by toxicologists and neurologists.)
Obviously, the debate
over mercury and its effect on the brain continues. What we are left
with are not answers, but more questions. Is mercury a causative
factor in neurological impairment? Yes. Does it affect everyone? We
don’t know. Does it have the same effect on everyone? We don’t
know. Is the toxin cumulative or dose-dependent? Again, we don’t
know.
What we do know is that
there are alternatives. Whether it is prudent to accept a toxin into
the body or not is an independent choice. If you have questions
regarding the alternatives, there are two excellent resources in your
community. One is an informed, biological dental office (that is, one
that does not use dental amalgam). The other is your alternative
health care provider. There are numerous means to determine what sort
of dental restoration is right for you.
Dr. Burton Miller
welcomes your questions on this and other dental matters. Dr. Miller
has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years. He and his
health-centered dental team are committed to whole body wellness. Call
277-2600.
For more information on
Dr. Pendergrass’ work, see www.atlcorp.com
