Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal which is liquid at room temperature. Inorganic mercury (which was used in the old mercury thermometers) is more poorly absorbed by the body than organic ethyl- and methyl mercury. Normally occurring intestinal bacteria, fungi, and digestive enzymes, however, can transform inorganic mercury into organic mercury which is very problematic since mercury is a neurotoxin. It destroys the metabolism of the cells, weakens the immune defence, and causes a long line of biochemical imbalances.
Amalgam is an alloy consisting of 50% mercury mixed with silver, tin, and smaller amounts of copper and zinc. Since 1895, amalgam has been used in fillings. Ever since the introduction of this filling material, we have seen a stream of documentation regarding health symptoms of this substance.
Amalgam fillings liberate their mercury into the teeth when exposed to heat, salt, and sour things when we chew and brush our teeth. Studies show that old fillings only have 5 – 27% of their original mercury content left. When mercury evaporates, we inhale it, and it reaches the brain via the nasal mucosa only seconds after. The highest concentrations of mercury, however, can be found in the kidneys. Studies from 1997 show that isotope-labelled mercury in the teeth of sheep accumulates in the foetus and in mother's milk.
All the same, use of amalgam as a filling material is still controversial. The documentation of the toxicity of mercury, however, is so overwhelming that most people anticipate a future ban of its use for this purpose.
The symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning are multiform:
Anxiety, poor memory, depression, tiredness, low metabolic rate, problems concentrating, a detached attitude, and contemplate suicide. Joint pains, weakness, tingling-, tickling-, or shaking hands, and fungal infections. Mercury poisoning can cause symptoms in all parts of the body and the list of symptoms, therefore, is unreasonably long. Some people react very violently to amalgam fillings while others react less obviously. Women who are strained by amalgam have the most symptoms during menstruation.
Other sources of mercury can be:
Colouring agents, contact lens fluid, cosmetics, eye-drops, large fatty fish, fertilizer, fireworks, preservatives, and vaccines.
