November 2008

• My personal experience with Mercury and Heavy Metals - by Michael Z. - (Mon, Nov 03 2008)
  There is a saying, “Caveat Emptor” meaning let the buyer beware that has been referenced throughout time with consumer goods and service purchases. I think it’s equally imperative to also mention that the fish and seafood consumer should beware too of the seafood sources they are eating from. It has been scientifically proven that the excessive mercury, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals levels in fish are not only unhealthy, but also bring life-altering symptoms which many might not be familiar with. My case in point: I consumed over four fish and seafood meals per week since 1997 in an attempt to become health conscious and by August of 2006 was diagnosed with severely high levels of mercury and additional heavy metals in my bloodstream. I went through extensive medical lab tests for my doctor to determine that the heavy metals were the root of my sudden mental, physical and emotional difficulties beginning to take my life prisoner at 39 years old. Further, while I was still consuming fish and seafood, I was not aware of the potential mercury and heavy metal dangers lurking in fish and seafood even though 44 states had issued fish and seafood consumption advisories. This information was not made available to me and I thought that eating fish and seafood was safe and healthy in the good ole USA. Boy, was I ever so wrong! Around late 2003, I first noticed subtle symptoms which became more pronounced. I immediately began embarking on a myriad of approaches such as brain scans and an MRI to determine what was happening with me. I gradually over the next several years went from someone who was highly energetic and motivated; a person who was engaged in a fast-paced sales career with a top broadcast media company to someone who was unable to function with any consistency because of experiencing extreme phobia sensations along with anxiety depression and chronic fatigue. The threats of acquiring methylmercury and other heavy metals poisoning are for real and my unfortunate experience proves this. Further, my quest for diagnosis and treatment has taken me down many different time and financial resource consuming roads. Thankfully though, I have gotten on the recovery track with major treatment through intravenous delivery of vitamins, minerals and supplements into my body. Further , I have noticed continual healing progress with my attending doctors. Sadly though, the damage has been done with a lost career that has to be re-established as I regain my strength and a failed first marriage. This is a horrendous condition that results in the stolen potential of those who become affected. Additionally, as my mercury-based amalgams in my mouth were believed to have contributed to my overall toxic build-up of mercury levels, I had them removed as well. Now only I have one fused-to-metal crown which has mercury that I’m planning to have replaced soon so I will I have a completely “metal-free” mouth! The mercury amalgams are known to cause an increase in unsafe mercury levels and that is why the EPA considers mercury amalgams removed from patients mouth’s as “toxic waste.” The crusade against mercury amalgams continues and there has been a greater escalation of exposure to this hideous method and more dentists are beginning to go all composite or porcelin with their dental practices. Now, I urge everyone I come in contact with to learn from my challenging experience and watch closely how your body reacts to fish and seafood consumption as well as mercury amalgams in their mouths. I wish I had paid more attention to my body’s condition and signals instead of believing the misinformed and incorrect fish and seafood safety claims that “the health benefits of fish far outweigh the concerns about mercury.” Absolutely an outright lie! Best way to protect oneself from exposure to mercury and heavy metals that is strongly recommended by doctors and health advocates and the only method I follow for consumption of fish: eat only lab-tested fish free from mercury, heavy metals and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) which are man-made chemical pollutants produced between the 1930s and the 1970s for a variety of industrial purposes. If someone still decides to consume fish and seafood after learning my story, I recommend buying only lab-tested fish and seafood as mentioned since it’s the only healthy, sustainable alternative, to the mass caught and packaged saltwater/freshwater fish and farmed fish that makes up the majority of fish varieties available to consumers. It’s discouraging that we must be so personally diligent to protect ourselves in this modern-day society from the dangers of many routine and commonly done things. This situation is due to the failure of industry to prevent toxic waste contamination from lax enforcement of government regulatory agencies on the protection from significant water pollution that is destroying the security and peace of mind of our consumption of fish and seafood. I am reminded about the 1998 movie, “A Civil Action” which portrayed toxic waste dumping and it’s disastrous health effects on the people of a nearby community. It’s time we stand up and use our voice against those responsible for these health problems occurring and demand immediate change. One way the consumer can speak is through their money. Spend it only with companies that are aware of the issues and working to bring social and environmental change. [more..]