Talk Cancer

Question:

Here’s an example of the sort of harm caused by those who propagate myths about amalgam’s alleged harmful effects: "The only step we’ve taken that I truly regret is when I had all my "silver" (amalgam) fillings in my teeth replaced (22 fillings, involving 14 teeth). I do know of people that this has helped, but it hasn’t helped me at all health-wise and has left me with over a year of constant pain in my teeth. I lost 1 tooth that had to be pulled, as well. The problem was that the dentist did not warn me about just how excruciating the pain could be before I had this done – they said it was similar to getting a filling – and that I’d probably have "a little sensitivity" afterwards. Was THAT ever an understatement! I had to take strong pain-killers daily for a solid two months after the removals, and that just barely kept me comfortable! The other problem is they talked me into having all 4 quadrants of my teeth done the same week – in 4 consecutive days. This was probably the biggest mistake we made. I had no problems with the exposures during the removals – they did follow the recommended protocol for removing the amalgams. However, the pain and problems with chewing I have suffered since then were just unbearable. For almost a year I was not able to chew anything even slightly crunchy – even pickles or onions – and absolutely nothing to eat or drink that was colder than room temperature! If something cold hit those teeth – it would almost make me say dirty words it would hurt so bad! I even had to brush my teeth with warm water only. I’m just now starting to be able to chew regularly again – nuts are still out, but it’s getting better all the time. Also, the filling material they used on me was a "composite" and they’re not lasting at all. I’ve already had to have 2 crowns and a bridge (involving 3 teeth) because the fillings started cracking the minute I was finally able to start chewing on those back teeth. I’m just putting this out there because I feel I wasn’t given complete information before making the decision to go ahead with my removals. I now would tell people to try absolutely EVERY other way to reduce their toxic exposures first (cleaning their environment, switching to non-toxic products, etc.) before making the decision to have their fillings removed and replaced. And even then – only if you’re still really disabled from your condition…" http://www.ourlittleplace.com/jackimcs.html

Response:

True it does not help everyone but amalgam removal, starting a seafood diet, I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be a "seafood-free" diet, which is a rather significant difference. Also, I’d be a lot happier with this story if it explained where these extraordinarily high mercury levels came from in the first place.

Hopefully this will give you a clue. From Chuck’s website. Three days later an ER nurse phoned me and stated that my serum mercury level was elevated. I called poison control and was met with a curt response that if I had consumed seafood within 72 hours prior to testing, the result was meaningless. My General Practitioner (GP) also assumed lab error, or recent ingestion of seafood and had the test repeated. This time I had been seafood-free for ten days – again the results were an elevated level of mercury. Source Average Human Daily Dose of Mercury Dental Amalgam 3.0 – 17.0 ug/day (hg vapor) Fish and Seafood 2.3 ug/day (methylmercury) Other Food 0.3 ug/day (inorganic hg) Air & Water Negligible traces (World Health Organization, Environmental Health Criteria 118: Inorganic Mercury, Geneva, 1991.) Do you see the number one source, David?? BTW, Chuck mentions this: This is an unimaginable progression from being unable to stand for three minutes without burning pain You see, Chuck also also had Peripheral Nueropathy. Isn’t that a strange coincidence??? NO!!! He had both MP and PN. He is now regaining his health. Where have you heard that before?? *IF* you have an unanswered health problem,,,,,,,,CHECK THE TEETH! NOT by a mainstream dentist, but an Alt. dentist who KNOWS the dangers of metal in the mouth and root canals, and follows correct protocol. I did, it saved my life. Mercury is Poisonous. There is NO safe form of Mercury in living tissue. The mercury vapor from dental amalgam alone is a bigger source than all the other sources together. U151 identifies mercury as a toxic waste. Mercury is also recovered from discarded products and wastes such aschlor-alkali wastes, dental amalgams, fluorescent light tubes, electronic devices, and others. The mercury is vaporized in a retort and collected by condensation. Condensed mercury is then distilled to remove impurities. ***The Environmental Protection Agency is working to reduce the amount of mercuryin the environment ***** http://www.ehs.ucsf.edu/Manuals/CSM/Csm_Chapter9.htm 17. DENTAL AMALGAM Dental amalgams are mixtures of mercury with silver tin alloy. Cal-EPA regulates them as ***chemical waste.*** Submit Chemical Waste Removal Form for its disposal Jan In any case I will continue to pray to Saint Jude, patron saint of lost

causes, that something will happen that prevents Jan from posting in thisnewsgroup since praying that she will change would take more than a miracle. Unfortunately my prayers have not yet been answered. However I believe that

there is justice in this world and soon my prayers will beanswered. I am patient. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Aloha Rich

Response:

Furthermore ther reason Mark repeatedly post this is because he had to make a retraction for saying things and lying about cell tech.. I called his hand. He is also a lackey for Barrett.

I thought you claimed personal attacks were always bad. I guess you are more equal than others.

Response:

True it does not help everyone but amalgam removal, starting a seafood diet,

I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be a "seafood-free" diet, which is a rather significant difference. Also, I’d be a lot happier with this story if it explained where these extraordinarily high mercury levels came from in the first place. Also, if your lifestyle was so healthy, why do you have 22 fillings? chelation, and nutrient supplementation saved my life. Chuck http://www.energywave.com/My_Experience_With_Mercury_Toxicity.htm

  — David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net      These are my opinions only, but they’re almost always correct.        "If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants            were standing on my shoulders."  (Hal Abelson, MIT)

Response:

Furthermore ther reason Mark repeatedly post this is because he had to make a retraction for saying things and lying about cell tech.. I called his hand. He is also a lackey for Barrett.

I’ve asked you to post an example of a lie I told about Cell Tech — and you have consistently refused to do so. You continually accuse me of lying.  But when asked for an example of one of these lies, you either ignore the request, or you post something which is NOT an example of something I said which is a lie.  You’ve posted things which other people have said which are lies, and you’ve posted things I’ve said which are not lies, but you have never posted anything I said which is a lie. Why don’t you do that, Jan? Is it because you were LYING when you made that accusation against me?

Response:

Just as you should not blindly follow anti-amalgam propenents I believe you should not follow pro-amalgamists.  Do the research and decide for yourself.

I have.  Here’s another example: Psychother Psychosom 2002 Jul-Aug;71(4):223-32 Psychological, allergic, and toxicological aspects of patients with amalgam-related complaints. Gottwald B, Kupfer J, Traenckner I, Ganss C, Gieler U. Department of Medical Psychology, University of Giessen, Germany. Background: To deepen the understanding of the numerous unspecific complaints which are related to the dental material amalgam both in patients and physicians, an interdisciplinary case-control study regarding toxicological, allergic, psychological and psychiatric aspects was conducted. Forty patients with amalgam-associated complaints were compared to a well-matched group of 40 amalgam bearers without complaints. Methods: Patients and controls underwent a dental examination, which included recording of the quantity, surface area and quality of amalgam fillings, a determination of the mercury load in blood and urine, an allergy examination including patch testing with amalgam and a psychometric assessment with questionnaires noting coping strategies (ABI-UMW-P), interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems) and self-consciousness (SAM), the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90-R, Beck Depression Inventory and a screening instrument for somatoform disorders. Results: Patients and controls did not differ with respect to mercury concentrations in body fluids. Only 1 patient was found to have a positive amalgam patch test; various other allergies could be determined in 28% of patients (n = 11). Patients had higher levels of psychic distress, a higher incidence of depression and somatization disorders as well as different styles of coping with anxiety compared to controls. Conclusions: No indication for mercury intoxication or amalgam allergy as a cause of the patients’ complaints could be found. The theory of amalgam-related complaints as an expression of underlying psychic problems is supported. Treatment should focus on somatization and changing coping and attribution styles.

Response:

Here’s an example of the sort of harm caused by those who propagate myths about amalgam’s alleged harmful effects:

This must have been posted by Mark Thorson. He has posted it before and it has been discussed. The part Mark overlooks is this:  The other problem is they talked me into having all 4 quadrants of my teeth done the same week – in 4 consecutive days. Thiswas probably the biggest mistake we made. Furthermore ther reason Mark repeatedly post this is because he had to make a retraction for saying things and lying about cell tech.. I called his hand. He is also a lackey for Barrett. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Just as you should not blindly follow anti-amalgam propenents I believe you should not follow pro-amalgamists.  Do the research and decide for yourself. My eyes have been opened in the last year or so. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… uids=12018634&dopt=Abstract 1: J Nephrol. 2002 Mar-Apr;15(2):171-6.  Related Articles, Links   Mercury in dental restoration: is there a risk of nephrotoxicity? Mortada WL, Sobh MA, El-Defrawy MM, Farahat SE. Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Faculty of Science, Egypt. BACKGROUND: Concern has been voiced about exposure to mercury (Hg) from dental amalgam fillings, and there is a need to assess whether this leads to signs of nephrotoxicity. METHODS: A total of 101 healthy adults (80 males and 21 females) were included in this study. The population as grouped into those having amalgam fillings (39 males and 10 females) and those without (41 males and 11 females). Hg was determined in blood, urine, hair and nails to assess exposure. Urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gammaGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined as markers of tubular damage. Albuminuria was assayed as an early indicator of glomerular dysfunction. Serum creatinine, beta2M and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined to assess glomerular filtration. RESULTS: Hg levels in blood and urine were significantly higher in persons with dental amalgam than those without; in the dental amalgam group, blood and urine levels of Hg significantly correlated with the number of amalgams. Urinary excretion of NAG, gammaGT and albumin was significantly higher in persons with dental amalgam than those without. In the amalgam group, urinary excretion of NAG and albumin significantly correlated with the number of fillings. Albuminuria significantly correlated with blood and urine Hg. CONCLUSION: From the nephrotoxicity point of view, dental amalgam is an unsuitable filling material, as it may give rise to Hg toxicity. Hg levels in blood and urine are good markers of such toxicity. In these exposure conditions, renal damage is possible and may be assessed by urinary excretions of albumin, NAG, and gamma-GT. Chuck

Summary Brief Abstract Citation MEDLINE ASN.1 XML/SGML LinkOut Related Articles Protein Links Nucleotide Links Popset Links Structure Links GenomeLinks OMIM Links Structure Domains Links          1: Stomatologiia (Mosk) 1997;76(4):9-11 Related Articles, Books  [Patterns of mercury release from amalgam fillings into the oral cavity].[Article in Russian]Motorkina AV, Barer GM, Volozhin AI. Seventy-five subjects aged 20 to 57 with 1 to 15 fillings of silver amalgam were examined. The level of mercury vapors in the oral cavity was assessedusing an AGP-01 device and the method developed by the authors. Emission of mercury vapors in the oral cavity increased with the number of fillings. The concentration of mercury in the oral cavity depends largely on the number ofsilver amalgam fillings and less so on these fillings’ length of service.Adv Dent Res 1992 Sep;6:110-3 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut Side-effects: mercury contribution to body burden from dental amalgam.Reinhardt JW.Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Iowa College of Dentistry,Iowa City 52242. The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on studies that relate mercury levels in human tissues to the presence of dental amalgams, giving special attention to autopsy studies. Until recently, there have been few published studies examining the relationship between dental amalgams and tissue mercury levels. Improved and highly sensitive tissue analysis techniques have made it possible to measure elements in the concentration range of parts per billion. The fact that mercury can be absorbed and reach toxic levels in humantissues makes any and all exposure to that element of scientific interest. Dental amalgams have long been believed to be of little significance as contributors to the overall body burden of mercury, because the elemental form of mercury is rapidly consumed in the setting reaction of the restoration.Studies showing measurable elemental mercury vapor release from dental amalgams have raised renewed concern about amalgam safety. Mercury vapor absorption occurs through the lungs, with about 80% of the inhaled vapor being absorbed by the lungs and rapidly entering the bloodstream. Following distribution by blood circulation, mercury can enter and remain in certain tissues for longer periods of time, since the half-life of excretion is prolonged. Two of the primary arget organs of concern are the central nervous system and kidneys. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 1292449 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 1: FASEB J 1990 Nov;4(14):3256-60 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut Comment in: FASEB J. 1991 Feb;5(2):236. Whole-body imaging of the distribution of mercury released from dental fillings into monkey tissues.Hahn LJ, Kloiber R, Leininger RW, Vimy MJ, Lorscheider FL.Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, Alberta,Canada. The fate of mercury (Hg) released from dental "silver" amalgam tooth fillings into human mouth air is uncertain. A previous report about sheep revealed uptake routes and distribution of amalgam Hg among body tissues. The present investigation demonstrates the bodily distribution of amalgam Hg in a monkey whose dentition, diet, feeding regimen, and chewing pattern closely resemble those of humans. When amalgam fillings, which normally contain 50% Hg, are made with a tracer of radioactive 203Hg and then placed into monkey teeth, the isotope appears in high concentration in various organs and tissues within 4wk. Whole-body images of the monkey revealed that the highest levels of Hg werel ocated in the kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and jaw. ****The dental profession’s advocacy of silver amalgam as a stable tooth restorative material is not supported by these findings.****PMID: 2227216 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 1: Neurotoxicology 1983 Fall;4(3):201-4 Related Articles, Books,LinkOut Mercury toxicity and dental amalgam.Wolff M, Osborne JW, Hanson AL.There is adequate evidence that dental amalgam restorations, during and after placement, results in the release of Hg into the patient’s body. Whether the Hg released from amalgam is due to placement procedures, surface abrasion, orl ater corrosion breakdown, there is evidence that a low level Hg release continues for years. ****It is generally agreed that if amalgam was introduced today as a restorative material, they would never pass F.D.A. approval.**** With new and more accurate techniques of measuring Hg levels, especially in tissue and blood, additional studies are necessary to relate blood-Hg levels with dental amalgam restorations. Studies must relate existing restorations as well as the placement of new restorations to body-Hg levels. It is possible that we have accepted a potentially dangerous material as being safe. Publication Types: Historical Article PMID: 6361623 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Jan

Response:

True it does not help everyone but amalgam removal, starting a seafood diet, chelation, and nutrient supplementation saved my life. Chuck http://www.energywave.com/My_Experience_With_Mercury_Toxicity.htm

Response:

Here’s an example of the sort of harm caused by those who propagate myths about amalgam’s alleged harmful effects:

Just as you should not blindly follow anti-amalgam propenents I believe you should not follow pro-amalgamists.  Do the research and decide for yourself. My eyes have been opened in the last year or so. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… uids=12018634&dopt=Abstract 1: J Nephrol. 2002 Mar-Apr;15(2):171-6.  Related Articles, Links   Mercury in dental restoration: is there a risk of nephrotoxicity? Mortada WL, Sobh MA, El-Defrawy MM, Farahat SE. Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Faculty of Science, Egypt. BACKGROUND: Concern has been voiced about exposure to mercury (Hg) from dental amalgam fillings, and there is a need to assess whether this leads to signs of nephrotoxicity. METHODS: A total of 101 healthy adults (80 males and 21 females) were included in this study. The population as grouped into those having amalgam fillings (39 males and 10 females) and those without (41 males and 11 females). Hg was determined in blood, urine, hair and nails to assess exposure. Urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gammaGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined as markers of tubular damage. Albuminuria was assayed as an early indicator of glomerular dysfunction. Serum creatinine, beta2M and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined to assess glomerular filtration. RESULTS: Hg levels in blood and urine were significantly higher in persons with dental amalgam than those without; in the dental amalgam group, blood and urine levels of Hg significantly correlated with the number of amalgams. Urinary excretion of NAG, gammaGT and albumin was significantly higher in persons with dental amalgam than those without. In the amalgam group, urinary excretion of NAG and albumin significantly correlated with the number of fillings. Albuminuria significantly correlated with blood and urine Hg. CONCLUSION: From the nephrotoxicity point of view, dental amalgam is an unsuitable filling material, as it may give rise to Hg toxicity. Hg levels in blood and urine are good markers of such toxicity. In these exposure conditions, renal damage is possible and may be assessed by urinary excretions of albumin, NAG, and gamma-GT. Chuck

Response:

Just as you should not blindly follow anti-amalgam propenents I believe you should not follow pro-amalgamists.  Do the research and decide for yourself.

I have.  Here’s an example: J Oral Rehabil 2002 Aug;29(8):705-713 Multidisciplinary examination of patients with illness attributed to dental fillings. Langworth S, Bjorkman L, Elinder CG, Jarup L, Savlin P. Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and National Registry of Adverse Reactions to Dental Materials, Bergen, Norway, Department of Renal Medicine, Huddinge University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK, and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and Department of Environmental Health, Stockholm County Council, Norrbacka, Stockholm, Sweden. Objective and methods. In 1993, a special Amalgam Clinic was established at Huddinge University Hospital. Residents in the Stockholm County area with morbidity attributed to dental fillings (‘amalgam disease’), were referred to this clinic. Patients were examined by a dentist (n 428), a physician (n 379), and a psychologist (n 360). Sixty-nine per cent were women and 31% men; the mean patient age was 46 years. Results. Oral symptoms included tender or aching teeth (60%), metallic taste (54%), sore mouth (43%) and dry mouth (43%). Signs of moderate or severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction were found in 81 cases, glossitis in 30 and oral lichen in 26 cases. Common general symptoms included diffuse pain (78%), general weakness (75%), extreme fatigue (68%) and dizziness (68%). Seven per cent of the patients suffered from previously undiagnosed medical conditions (thyroid dysfunction, anaemia, cardiopathy, renal disease, cancer). In 26 subjects, skin patch testing revealed allergy to mercury, gold or palladium. The median concentration of mercury was 10 nmol L-1 in whole blood, 3 nmol L-1 in plasma and 10 nmol L-1 in urine, i.e. normal levels. Earlier mental trauma was common, and in the psychological questionnaire SCL-90, clear tendencies to somatization were found. Only a few cases of severe psychiatric illness were observed. No positive correlation was found between the amount of amalgam and somatic symptoms or psychological effect parameters. Conclusions. The results do not support the hypothesis that release of mercury from amalgam fillings is the cause of amalgam disease’, but suggest that there may be various explanations for the patient’s complaints.

Response: