Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Toxicity To Mercury Can Cause Eczema
It has long been known that mercury in high concentration is toxic to humans, but until 50 years ago, it was not really too much of a problem for most of us. However, the prevalence of mercury in our food and environment has now reached global proportions that pose a serious threat. Toxicity can result in many diseases, including eczema.
As the world has industrialized, sites such as gold and mercury mines, alkali and metal processing plants, coal burning facilities and medical and other waste dumps have resulted in more and more mercury in the environment. As mercury is being released into the atmosphere it is transported to and deposited in water or on land. One example of how this affects us is in our lakes and waterways. Bacterial action in the water converts the mercury to a more toxic form known as methylmercury, which is then absorbed by fish. As they remain in the water, they continue to absorb higher quantities. Although consumption of the fish itself can be dangerous, the contamination does not end there - it moves up the food chain to birds, animals, marine mammals and, finally, humans. Since the properties of mercury allow it to be absorbed into very small particles of matter and it is therefore very difficult for the body to get rid of, the amount we’re consuming far exceeds the amount we’re eliminating, and the levels of mercury in the body become more concentrated as we consume more of the toxic foods.
Mercury can also be found in fillings for the teeth, vaccines such as those for flu and hepatitis B, and those given to children, and, now, in much of our foods due to the process described above. And, it is still being emitted through industrial processes. In 2001, the EPA even found that the mercury levels in rain and snow falling in the New England states was far beyond those considered safe for aquatic life, wildlife, and humans.
Mercury is also known to cause eczema and, as the incidence of mercury toxicity has increased, so has that of eczema. One study in England found that 20% of British school children now have eczema – compared to 5% of the 1950’s. Research has linked heavy metal toxicity to skin disorders, and several studies have concluded that toxic metals, including mercury, are the most common cause of contact eczema.
What can you do about it? While it’s dangerous to have too much mercury in your body, detoxing can be even more dangerous. As the mercury is released from various body parts, it goes into the blood stream and can cause serious problems. It’s best to find a doctor who is oriented towards nutrition and is aware of this type of problem, get tested to find out what your mercury levels are and then follow the protocol the doctor recommends.
In the meantime you should, of course, eat organic foods, fish that come from uncontaminated waters, and step up your intake of beneficial bacteria and antioxidants.
As the world has industrialized, sites such as gold and mercury mines, alkali and metal processing plants, coal burning facilities and medical and other waste dumps have resulted in more and more mercury in the environment. As mercury is being released into the atmosphere it is transported to and deposited in water or on land. One example of how this affects us is in our lakes and waterways. Bacterial action in the water converts the mercury to a more toxic form known as methylmercury, which is then absorbed by fish. As they remain in the water, they continue to absorb higher quantities. Although consumption of the fish itself can be dangerous, the contamination does not end there - it moves up the food chain to birds, animals, marine mammals and, finally, humans. Since the properties of mercury allow it to be absorbed into very small particles of matter and it is therefore very difficult for the body to get rid of, the amount we’re consuming far exceeds the amount we’re eliminating, and the levels of mercury in the body become more concentrated as we consume more of the toxic foods.
Mercury can also be found in fillings for the teeth, vaccines such as those for flu and hepatitis B, and those given to children, and, now, in much of our foods due to the process described above. And, it is still being emitted through industrial processes. In 2001, the EPA even found that the mercury levels in rain and snow falling in the New England states was far beyond those considered safe for aquatic life, wildlife, and humans.
Mercury is also known to cause eczema and, as the incidence of mercury toxicity has increased, so has that of eczema. One study in England found that 20% of British school children now have eczema – compared to 5% of the 1950’s. Research has linked heavy metal toxicity to skin disorders, and several studies have concluded that toxic metals, including mercury, are the most common cause of contact eczema.
What can you do about it? While it’s dangerous to have too much mercury in your body, detoxing can be even more dangerous. As the mercury is released from various body parts, it goes into the blood stream and can cause serious problems. It’s best to find a doctor who is oriented towards nutrition and is aware of this type of problem, get tested to find out what your mercury levels are and then follow the protocol the doctor recommends.
In the meantime you should, of course, eat organic foods, fish that come from uncontaminated waters, and step up your intake of beneficial bacteria and antioxidants.
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