Hi Stuart,

Regarding the ALA. I would use only very small doses. It did the same to me when I tired it only a few months ago. Because I haven't had amalgams for many many years, because I had already done DMSA long ago and it was no longer effective, I decided to give ALA a shot. I didn't start low, I just halved the 200 mg dose to 100 mg (because I hate splitting capsules up, no excuse I know). Yet....I noticed next to NOTHING.

So for me it was more of an experiment to see what reactions would take place that might alert me that there is significant brain mercury. I barely got any reactions, which is very unusual, particularly at such a high dose. I upped it to 200 mg and still nothing, except perhaps a "little". However, it worsened my yeast issues dramatically. Probably due to the extreme dose.

Someone on here was advocating ALA for people with yeast issues and claiming that it helps and even referring to it as an antifungal. This is wrong. First, it's not an antifungal, and isn't classified as one. It is an antioxidant and like any antioxidant, it can raise glutathione levels in the body which is good. Glutathione helps us to eliminate toxins. ALA is also beneficial to the liver. But for yeast? NO. In fact, it is worse for yeast than DMSA! More problematic. You'd think it SHOULD be beneficial for candida considering it raises glutathione, but instead many get worse yeast issues during and following.

Not good. So it is not taken to treat yeast, it is taken for general health/antioxidant powers and/or mercury or other metal toxicity.

It is better to avoid dental materials with obvious metal (gold, porcelain on metal bases, stainless steel etc). But other than that, there is no such thing as a truly metal free dental material. They all contain them, as this is part of strengthening the material apparently. If you feel that the aluminium etc contained in the glass ionomer maybe more leachable and could contribute to your mercury toxicity, then you should have it replaced. However, aluminium oxide is a non metal. It's in a different form than solid aluminium! IT does not mean it's totally non toxic, but you get aluminium even from your diet and other household items (even anti perspirants I hear). So it can be overall load that can be a problem.

Glass ionomers contain metal salts, which may cause some problems as they maybe more leachable. But again, all dental materials contain "some" metals in them. No matter what you get.

If in doubt, have it replaced as glass ionomers contain more than general composites apparently. But even composites can contain aluminium too, so you have to be careful (if you are really concerned about aluminium oxide).

I have Cerec porcelain and all porcelain apparently contains aluminium oxide too (or some of them do), but in a form that is apparently stable and not nearly as leachable. I don't know, I cannot say for sure about that. I got them due to their lasting qualities and strength, as well as apparent general bicompatibility. They showed to be ok on my serum test, so I hope it means they are! Personally I don't think any dental material is ideal, they all contain undesirables.

Stuart, I don't know if you are on any kind of candida treatment regime/diet? If you are not, you should be. Especially if you are going to take ALA. REducing candida can help your gut and also your liver as well. You would also be wise to compliment the diet with probiotics and liver support. Especially as you get such symptoms from DMSA as well. It sounds honestly like your liver is suffering to me and liver is also connected to the gut. If one gets toxic/overloaded, the other does too.

The best way for me (back then) to treat myself was a health sugar free, yeast free, wheat/gluten free, caffeine free (or at least coffee free) diet. I also included more raw salads etc, as these helped my liver I am certain of it. Raw vegetables are very cleansing, as are fruit (but fruit is a problem if you have candida, so you need to be careful).