Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I feel I should as it could be important.

I've been thinking more about the noted role of protein in recovery. It could be that there is a connection between mercuy toxicity and insulin resistance i.e. mercury mimicks insulin resistance or those with insulin resistance are vulnerable to mercury.

It's very difficult to be tested for insulin resistance as it's not diabetes, but can lead to it.

A high protein, low carb diet is recommend for those with Insulin Resistance. It's very difficult to have a high protein diet as a vegan (which is what someone has to be if they cut out dairy and don't eat meat) as many protein sources are also carb sources.

I used to be on the Atkins diet and have a couple of books about it, and meat was included as it is high in protein and low in carbs. The Atkins diet doesn't recommend more than 20 carbs a day. This would be very difficult as a vegan. It's possible as a vegetarian because sources of protein like cottage cheese are low in carbs. I manage to stick to the vegetarian Atkins for about 2 weeks and 4 weeks later I had a period, which I hadn't had previously for a year. That could be coincidence, however, as I gave up the diet and got a period again in the autumn.

I have been diagnosed medically with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) which is thought to be rooted in Insulin Resistance. I believe my mother has mercury poisoning, and she also has a blood-sugar problem.

But I think it's only by exploring all possibilities - rather than just assuming animal protein is superior to plant protein (which is still not proved and is contested by some experts) - that we will come to unbiased answers that will ultimately help people get better.