Hi there Spit,
I think the general objective is to avoid hot fluids, which increases the release of mercury vapor by the heat and avoid unnecessary chewing (gum) and also to be mindful of products that can mobilise the mercury inside of you, but may not escort it out of you. Which means products/protocols that may simply move around the metals and may make matters worse, yet not much may be released in the process, but rather can be simply reasorbed and sometimes in worse and more sensitive areas.
I would be careful of using any mobilising or chelating agent at this time, since you still have amalgams. Even after your amalgams are replaced, the blood/tissue levels of mercury will still be high. These do come down gradually on their own, but you can help that process further by taking a chelating agent that can help clear the blood stream and if taken correctly, may even help control the symptoms. DMSA/DMPS are two such chelators.
Using random products/protocols may serve to simply shift the mercury around randomly and what you don't want is more of it winding up in your brain and other more sensitive areas in the process. Some who may have issues with excreting toxins, are especially at risk (I'm am one of those). E.g. having fast liver phase I and slow liver phase II (known as a pathological detoxier).
It is not wise to bring onboard chelating agents that can chelate the brain at this stage. Blood levels of mercury must first be brought down beforehand so the brain chelator will not move more mercury with it into the brain. The blood levels take around 3 months or so to reduce, which they will do naturally, but it maybe easier and more efficient to use DMSA or DMPS to help that process along.
One levels are reduced, it is then safer to bring onboard an agent that can chelate brain/organ mercury. E.g. Alpha lipoic acid. Cilantro is another one apparently. But I do not know of a protocol for cilantro, so the risk increases due to increase redistribution.
I would personally recommend the Cutler protocol, because it appears to help reduce/control redistribution in the manner the chelators are used. I did try using DMSA in random fashion, but it served to shunt mercury everywhere and messed me up badly. I could not tolerate it. I tried doing it more than once and it was devastating. I felt I would NEVER be able to chelate. Yet, when I used it according to the Cutler protocol, the symptoms were better tolerated and I was able to make more steady progress. Though i still felt pretty lousy, as can be typical during detox, there was more control.
Mercury detoxification is difficult it is slow and frustrating for many of us. I used many different products and tried many different ways and much caused intolerable symptoms because of the mobilisation of mercury. Cutlers in the end appeared to be the only one I could cope with.
Some may find another way is more effective for them. So you may not feel this is the route you wish to take. Cilantro does indeed chelate brain mercury, but it is risky in the sense that a protocol for it has not been developed to where redistribution of that mercury is reduced.
There is always a risk with trying to detox mercury. I did finally gain improvements, but typically it can take months/years, because of how hard it is to get it out. I did many other things also like exercise (moderate walking on a treadmill), hot baths (to help sweat out toxins/metals) *aided by epsom salts or combo of bakng soda and sea salt*, a healthy diet excluding wheat/gluten, sugar and yeast and including natural healthy foods - vegetables/fruits/nuts/seeds/yoghurt (sugar free acidophilus) and getting enough animal protein and fats (not forgetting fats contained also in nuts/fish oil (mercury free), extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil etc):
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/9steps.htm
Rationale:
Proteins provide the important precursors to the endogenous metal detox and shuttle agents, such as coeruloplasmin, metallothioneine, glutathione and others. The branched-chain amino acids in cow and goat whey have valuable independent detox effects.
Metals attach themselves only in places that are programmed for attachment of metal ions. Mineral deficiency provides the opportunity for toxic metals to attach themselves to vacant binding sites. A healthy mineral base is a prerequisite for all metal detox attempts (selenium, zinc, manganese, germanium, molybdenum etc.). Substituting minerals can detoxify the body by itself. Just as important are electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium), which help to transport toxic waste across the extra-cellular space towards the lymphatic and venous vessels.
Lipids (made from fatty acids) make up 60–80% of the central nervous system and need to be constantly replenished. Deficiency makes the nervous system vulnerable to the fat soluble metals, such as metallic mercury constantly escaping as odorless and invisible vapor evaporating from the amalgam fillings.
Without enough fluid intake the kidneys may become contaminated with metals. The basal membranes swell up and the kidneys can no longer efficiently filtrate toxins. Adding a balanced electrolyte solution in small amounts to water helps to restore intra-and extra-cellular fluid balance
"Good" fats naturally cleanse the entire body, and help get rid of all heavy metals. Eric Davis points out in his article Health Hazards of Mercury: "That is because neurotoxins are transported throughout the body attached to protein components of lipoproteins, and therefore require cholesterol for their transport and elimination. A rise in cholesterol levels and triglycerides in response to neurotoxins protects by preventing permanent attachment of the neurotoxin to the nerve and brain cells. Symptoms of neurotoxicity are most likely to occur when the cholesterol is lowered suddenly or when the affected patient goes on a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-protein diet."
That is also the reason cholesterol levels increase when a person is detoxifying.
Davis goes on to say: "In a human trial, a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet was compared to a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet. The researchers found greater clearance of toxins with the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet and diminished clearance when the ratio was reversed. To utilise the protein correctly, the fat on the "lamb" needs to be eaten. The use of additional butter or lard in cooking is of paramount importance. By having adequate fat, bile production is stimulated, absorption of minerals increased and the excretion of mercury facilitated as long as constipation is avoided." Note: Constipation is avoided by consuming 80% good fat to 20% protein (according to calories).
Davis also writes: "The proteins in the diet must be animal proteins, providing a complete specturm of amino acids. A study of Asian vegetarians with incomplete amino acid intake showed reduced clearing of xenobiotics. Low levels of hydrochloric acid have an adverse impact on the availability of dietary amino acids, even in a higher protein diet, so stimulating the pancreas using lacto-fermented foods is crucial."
The bottom line is that a diet high in "good" fats, moderate protein, and low-carbs, plus necessary supplements, are all your body needs to get rid of heavy metals.
It appears more biologic dentists are incorporating this kind of diet in their mercury toxic patients. I believe it has been helful for me. My appetite is improved, my weight is more normalised, skin is better and eyes are better and I sleep better. I don't personally feel it'll detox the mercury on its own, but I think it helps. Hal Huggins also suggests this kind of diet - low sugar/carbodrate and getting enough animal protein and fat - butter etc.
I found that extra help with supplements (antioxidants etc) can aid this process also. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, iodine (do not over do it), magnesium, zinc, essential fatty acids etc. Mercury competes with these and more and depletes them.
