The latest Methylation theories might be the link between the "stress trigger" and mercury toxicity. Both of my CFs bouts (past and current) were preceeded by dental work in the current and previous year.

Mercury will interfere with methylation (and a ton of other enzimatic processes) which is your body's main pathway for detoxification of....guess what....Mercury.

If you chelate the mercury out of your system then it cannot interfere with the normal methylation and it should restore your bodys own detox ability.

An alternative which is happening now is that many are taking supplements to restore methylation which turns back on the detoxification mechanisms (restoring glutathoine levels, metallothionein , etc. levels back to normal) then the detox happens naturally through the normal pathways that were shut down previously by overburden or stress (I believe).

Those who choose this route still experience the detox reaction those who undertake chelation do, but from what I've read it's not nearly as bad.

Restoring methylation can be as simple as taking B12 and Folicin. The form of B12 that becomes blocked by mercury is Methylcobalamin. That is the form you want to take. There is a danger that this form might convert the mercury to it's methyl form so hydroxocobalamin is recommeneded. Three different types of Folic acid are supplemented along with Phosphatidyl Serine.

They start with low doses the same reason you would start chelation with a low dose. Some have experienced huge detox reactions from taking too much to start. You start slow and build up to a dose you can tolerate. (Like stepping on the gas pedal of your auto). When you can take more you press down a little more on the pedal and increase your dose (detox happens faster). All the while you take kidney/liver support, antioxidants and supplements to support the sulfur metabolism.

One can add TMG and/or SAMe later to enhance results.