I tried ALA alone a few months after my amalgams were replaced, as I am frugal and didn't want to pay for DMSA. I realized that using DMSA for a year or two could end up costing well over $1,000 even at the lowest price I could find for it(in some places it even costs double or more the lowest US price. The lowest price I could find was around 80 cents for each 100 mg capsule).

ALA alone gave me very strong side effects that were very unpleasant. I suggest that no one try ALA alone unless they can't get DMSA(either because it is too expensive or not available in their country).


"Alpha lipoic acid should not be used alone, as it only mobilizes mercury with a weak bond. Without additional chelators present, such as DMPS or DMSA, the mercury may just redistribute elsewhere in the body instead of being removed."

http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T76343.html