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Experts Differ Over Effects of Uranium
Anjali Singh Deswal - Tribune News Service
Bathinda, August 4, 2009

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Tolerance Level for Cadmium in Food Reduced

After the appearance of reports in the media about uranium not possibly being the reason for cancer in the Malwa belt of Punjab, some experts state that this is a wrong message being conveyed and would hinder the possible studies and tests to ascertain the cause of cancer in Malwa, which has not been done by the government yet.

“It was stated recently that Dr H.S. Virk, nuclear physicist, said uranium was not possibly the cause of cancer in Malwa. He has not done any research on uranium. One day, he states that uranium is not the cause and the next day, he says that uranium is the cause. I tested 90 samples and they all stated that water is contaminated with uranium and heavy metals in Malwa," said Dr Surinder Singh from GNDU, who is known to have conducted detailed research in the Malwa region for uranium.

Dr GS Dhillon, who has been with the irrigation and research institute at Amritsar and Punjab irrigation department for many years, stated that Bathinda witnessed a transformation since the two thermal power plants were set up here.

A higher incidence of cancer was reported after uranium was detected in the Malwa region (studies done by GNDU), and lack of proper treatment available in Bathinda made the problem worse.

Presence of uranium makes it difficult to supply clean drinking water to the villagers. It was stated by the experts recently that even RO plants installed by the state government are not effective in removing uranium and heavy metal toxicity in water.

"There were 107 cases of cancer reported in the Tawandi Sabo area and 80 were women. It was reported that the village pond at Jajjal village was filled with filthy water which was consumed by the cattle. The village was supplied with filtered canal water, which has become badly contaminated. The water in the village was found to have 59.3 mg/litre uranium. Other heavy metals like arsenic selenium, mercury, chromium and now radio elements like uranium have been found in water," Dr Dhillon stated.

Studies by the Kota Research Centre and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre confirm uranium's presence in Punjab.

The problem which should be answered is that experts have given different reasons for uranium's presence in Malwa. The experts of GNDU say that uranium could have come from Tosham hills in Haryana where granite rocks are found which have high radioactivity.

Another reason is environmental changes caused by waste generated by the thermal plants in Bathinda since 1970.

"Currently there are no rules and regulations made to monitor and regulate the environmental impact of fly ash ponds. In Bathinda, these ponds have created health problems due to waste from the ash ponds seeping into the groundwater," Dr Dhillon stated.

Dr.Preet
E-mail: chhou786@gmail.com

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Subject: MTM Information Service
July 2009

MTM Information Service July 09

Tolerance Level for Cadmium in Food reduced
Due to the nephrotoxicity of Cadmium, European governmental agencies for food safety (the equivalent of the US Food and Drug Administration) recommend that the weekly cadmium intake should not exceed 2.5mcg/kg body weight. The previous tolerance level was 7mcg/kg body weight per week. To our knowledge, Australia still recognizes 7mcg/kg BW/week as tolerance level.
http://www.pressrelations.de/new/standard/dereferrer.cfm?r=375823
For the general world population, average daily cadmium intake, from all sources, is in the range of 10-25 µg/day and has decreased steadily over the past 20 years. Smoking doubles the average daily intake. The tolerable daily cadmium intake established by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 60 µg/day for adult women and 70 µg/day for adult men.
http://corrosion-doctors.org/Elements-Toxic/Cadmium.htm

Gentle Detox with Vitamin/Nutrient Infusions
Initial analytical data as compiled by Micro Trace Minerals indicate that the Vitamin/Mineralinfusion as written up by Dr. VanderSchaar in his IBCMT Textbook (www.ibcmt.com) provides a gentle alternative to synthetic chelating agents.

High Arsenic concentration in baseline urine can be caused by fish or algae intake.
www.umweltdaten.de/gesundheit/monitor/As-Monographie.pdf
www.lgl.bayern.de/lebensmittel/arsen_in_algen.htm

Selenium can protect against bladder cancer
www.aerztlichepraxis.de/artikel_urologie_onkologieuro_harnblasenkarzinom

Antidote Folic acid: detoxifies Methanol, Formic acid and Formates
www.giz-nord.de

Our next German Workshop: 17. Okt. 2009 Cologne:
Theme: Optimizing Detoxification through the effective use of Chelating substances (lectures in German)
Näheres: www.microtrace.de

Punjab Study closed
Summary: hair mineral analysis results indicated longterm exposure to uranium, lead and other toxic metals. Urine analyses of pre and post DMSA urine samples confirmed long term and acute exposure. The study has been funded entirely by Micro Trace Minerals, Ing Friedle and team. Publication of this study is in planning.
http://chelattherapie.blogspot.com/

Starting Monday, July 27, I will attend summer classes at Oxford University (UK). I plan to take care of my regular laboratory duties via e-mail, including answering analytical question. If I am a bit slow in responding, blame the Oxford curriculum. However, with the help of Ing Friedle and his analytical team, we will continue to pay close attention to validating results as usual.
If you have questions regarding office matters, if you need supplies, or have questions about sample turnaround, please contact the office directly at service@microtrace.de
Financial inquiries and other bookkeeping questions should be addressed to kboehm@microtrace.de
US inquiries may be directed to Steve Juntunen at info@microtraceminerals.com or service@microtrace.de

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Subject: Listening To Music Increases Blood Flow

Authors: Miller M, Beach V, Mangano C, Vogel RA.

November 20, 2008

Recent study results suggest that laughing and listening to music that makes people feel joyful can help to improve blood vessel function.

Michael Miller and colleagues studied the effect of different music on 10 volunteers. While the volunteers were listening to the music the researchers measured how well their blood vessels responded to a sudden increase in blood flow caused by the release of a blood pressure cuff.

Results showed that when the volunteers listened to music that made them feel joyful their blood vessels dilated by 26%. In comparison, listening to music that made the volunteers feel anxious caused blood vessels to dilate by 6%. Laughter was also found to improve blood flow. Listening to a comedy tape caused blood vessels to dilate by 19%.

Miller M, Beach V, Mangano C, Vogel RA.
          Positive Emotions and the Endothelium: Does Joyful Music Improve Vascular Health?”
          Presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, November 11th 2008.

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Subject: The association of tobacco smoke and environmental
          lead exposure with conduct disorder (CD).

Authors: Joseph M. Braun, Tanya E. Froehlich, Julie L. Daniels,
          Kim N. Dietrich, Richard Hornung, Peggy Auinger, Bruce P. Lanphear

August 19, 2008

Association of Environmental Toxicants and Conduct Disorder in U.S. Children:
NHANES 2001-2004 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/577047_print

Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(7):956-962.
©2008 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - Posted 08/19/2008 - Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of tobacco smoke and environmental lead exposure with conduct disorder (CD).

Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 is a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population. We examined the association of prenatal tobacco, postnatal tobacco, and environmental lead exposure with CD in children 8-15 years of age (n = 3,081). We measured prenatal tobacco exposure by parent report of cigarette use during pregnancy, and postnatal tobacco using serum cotinine levels. We assessed lead exposure using current blood lead concentration. Parents completed the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children to determine whether their children met criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) for CD.

Results: Overall, 2.06% of children met DSM-IV criteria for CD in the past year, equivalent to 560,000 U.S. children 8-15 years of age. After adjustment, prenatal tobacco exposure was associated with increased odds for CD [odds ratio (OR) = 3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-6.63]. Increased blood lead levels (fourth vs. first quartile) and serum cotinine levels (fifth vs. first quintile) were associated with an 8.64-fold (95% CI, 1.87-40.04) and 9.15-fold (95% CI, 1.47-6.90) increased odds of meeting DSM-IV CD criteria. Increasing serum cotinine levels and blood lead levels were also associated with increased prevalence of CD symptoms (symptom count ratio, lead: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23-2.43; symptom count ratio, cotinine: 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15-3.40).

Conclusions: These results suggest that prenatal tobacco exposure and environmental lead exposure contribute substantially to CD in U.S. children.

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Subject: Diabetes: Tap water may be a major cause
Date: 08-25-2008
Author: Journal of the American Medical Association

Diabetes: Tap water may be a major cause

21 August 2008

The water we drink from our taps may be an unsuspected cause of type II diabetes, the ‘lifestyle’ disease that can lead to heart problems and even death.

Although doctors have thought the disease is brought on by poor diet and lack of exercise, scientists believe that low levels of inorganic arsenic that are found in all our public drinking water may well be another cause.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore have discovered that diabetics have a 26 per cent higher level of arsenic in their urine than healthy people. Overall, people with higher levels of arsenic have an almost four times greater risk of developing type II diabetes, they conclude.

The 788 people who took part in the study all live in areas of low and moderate levels of arsenic in their water supply, which suggests that the association could be even stronger in regions where arsenic levels are higher. In the USA, around 13 million people live in areas where inorganic arsenic levels in the public water supply are above levels regarded by the US Environmental Protection Agency as safe.

Inorganic arsenic, which enters the water supply from natural mineral deposits, can increase levels of glucose and insulin, and interfere with the uptake of glucose. Earlier studies – in Taiwan, Bangladesh and Mexico – had already established a link between arsenic in water and diabetes.

The Johns Hopkins researchers are also concerned that arsenic may cause cancer, heart disease and reproductive problems.

(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008; 300: 814-22

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Subject: Cholesterol Screening for Kids
Date: 07-16-2008
Author: Jenny Thompson

In case you haven't heard the reports this morning, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is today recommending cholesterol screening for kids as young as two if there are weight issues or a family history of heart attacks or high cholesterol.

And if the kids have high cholesterol levels? Don't hesitate – medicate!

According to the New York Times, the AAP is backed up 100 percent by "proponents."

NY Times: "Proponents say there is growing evidence that the first signs of heart disease show up in childhood." And: "For some children, cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, may be their best hope of lowering their risk of early heart attack, proponents said."

Best hope!? Insanity!

Of course, "proponents" is just a fuzzy word for medical mainstreamers who never met a health concern they wouldn't medicate.

One of those proponents is Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, a member of the AAP nutrition committee, who told the Times: "The risk of giving statins at a lower age is less than the benefit you're going to get out of it."

That's the standout quote that rattled my rafters this morning. Why? Because the evidence to back up that quote is miniscule. And that's being charitable. And Dr. Bhatia knows it. In fact, after his bold risk/benefit comment, he completely weakened his argument by telling the Times there is not "a whole lot" of data on pediatric use of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

And THAT should have been the leadoff message this morning: Based on not a whole lot of data, the AAP is recommending widespread use of drugs for very young children.

And let's keep in mind that for adults, who can choose for themselves whether or not to take a certain medication, the benefits haven't been proven to outweigh the risks. (Sorry, I should clarify that. By benefits, I mean number of lives saved, not pharmaceutical profit margins.)

Please share this special e-Alert with friends and family members who have kids or grandkids. Let them know that this naked attempt to expand the market for statins by exploiting kids is baseless and misguided. Not to mention infuriating!

To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson

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Subject: Wyeth's February 19, 2008 vaccine court case regarding thimerosal autism. Baltimore, Maryland.
Date: 06-18-2008
News Article

MADISON, N.J., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced today that The Honorable Stuart R. Berger of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City in Baltimore, Maryland, has granted Wyeth's motion for summary judgment in the case of Blackwell, et al. v. Sigma Aldrich, Inc., et al -- an alleged vaccine injury case claiming that Jamarr Blackwell's exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines caused him to become autistic.

Previously, the Court had granted Wyeth's motion to preclude all five of plaintiffs' expert witnesses from offering testimony at trial following extensive briefing and a 10-day evidentiary hearing held by the Court last August.

In his December 21, 2007 Memorandum and Order pertaining to Wyeth's evidentiary motion, Judge Berger found that "it is generally accepted in the relevant scientific community that thimerosal in vaccines does not cause or contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism," also noting that "it is generally accepted in the relevant scientific community that autism is genetic in origin except in rare instances of prenatal exposures to certain substances at defined periods during pregnancy."

"This is a significant victory for good science generally," says Daniel J. Thomasch, a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, who served as lead counsel for Wyeth in this matter. "The Court appropriately found that plaintiffs' attempt to link autism to childhood vaccines is contrary to generally accepted science."

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Large Population Mercury Test results


From: Bruce R. Dooley, M.D.
7 May, 2008

Hi Grace,
Thanks for passing along these articles. An update on my activities:

In February of 2007 and 2008, I spoke to a collective group of over 2,000 "healthy" individuals (aged 17-75) on the proven disease conditions manifesting from sub acute, chronic mercury exposure. This process is called mercurialism and is separate and distinct from acute mercury poisoning. I attach an article by Dr. Ely (PDF File - 595kb) et al and a partial list of these mental and physical states associated with mercury (MS-Word - 287kb). Dr. Ely's study on the common misinterpretation of urine mercury testing suggests that a much larger population may have significant tissue burden and calls for larger studies. As a result of the information provided to these conference attendees, we have now been able to collect oral DMPS - provoked urine mercury* results on over 1,000 North American individuals. These results were performed at the respected and independent CLEO lab, Doctor's Data. A sample of a very elevated (red zone) report is attached.

The outcomes of these two mass testings were astonishing to me and others familiar with mercury. Consistently we found that 75% of the group tested in the red zone or very elevated, and 20% in the elevated yellow zone. You can understand that when extrapolated to the entire population, the numbers are staggering. To my knowledge this is the first time this data has ever been produced and we are trying to grasp the health implications to the United States and other westernized populations. Many of these individuals have elected to begin therapy with oral MercOut 30-day program and our retesting has shown an average 68% reduction in tissue burden. WIth an understanding that the World Health Organization established mercury as an elemental poison with no known lower level of non-toxicity in humans, why are we not properly testing all of our patients for this metal?

Yours in health,
Bruce R. Dooley, M.D.
MercOut International, Ltd.
New Zealand: +64 3 548 8790
North America: (954) 607 7972
drdooley@mercout.com
www.mercout.com

*DMPS - provoked urine mercury protocol: 500 mg DMPS with a 2-hour collection. We have tested various times for collection and found this to provide both the highest yield of Hg and compliance rate.

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FDA Comment Period - Urgent
The FDA is reopening public comments on a rule first proposed in 2002 that would place precapsulated amalgam in Class II.


Dear IAOMT Members:

For your urgent attention: The FDA has announced that it is reopening public comments on a rule first proposed in 2002 that would place precapsulated amalgam in Class II, with "special controls." The rule was then 26 years overdue, since the FDA was mandated by Congress to make these classifications in 1976, and the special control proposed was, incredibly, a warning about exposure to zinc from amalgam! No action has been taken since.

Under intense lobbying by IAOMT, and under pressure from a lawsuit brought by our allies at Consumers for Dental Choice, the FDA has reopened public comments on ways to amend the rule for 90 days . Whether they are just bluffing again, or actually mean to bring the rule forward, it is imperative that every one of us, and all our friends, submit a comment, based on our own knowledge and experience. Amalgam should be placed in Class III, and the manufacturers forced to prove that it is safe, not in Class II, where old assumptions of its safety can live on.

Below is a letter from Charlie Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice, with talking points, and information on just how to submit your comment.

---

Dear Doctor:

Due to the deadlines imposed upon it by our lawsuit Moms Against Mercury et al, v. Von Eschenbach et al., the Food and Drug Administration has stopped stonewalling on mercury fillings. FDA has created a 90-day window to comment on how it should classify mercury fillings, and what special controls (restrictions on use) it should adopt.

Now is the time for all mercury-free dentists to comment. Whether FDA is making a feint to delay action once more, or whether FDA has had a real change of heart -- your comments are important. If the former, your comments help build a record to nail them in court later. If the latter, we educate FDA to take action.

Talking points:

1. Ask FDA to put a total ban on mercury fillings --- or at least a ban for children 18 & under, for women of childbearing age, and for persons with kidney problems --- or at the very least, pregnant women, nursing mother, and children 18 and under. Tell them why, in your own words.


2. Advise FDA that mercury fillings are completely unnecessary in 21st-century dentistry. This is quite important, that general dentists say that they can fill any cavity, big or small, in a child or adult, in an able-bodied or a disabled person, with alternatives like resin.


3. An entire generation has grown up getting mercury implants solely because FDA refuses to do its job. No more delays, FDA --- this lawlessness must end.

You may comment three different ways:

1. Electronic: Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
   In category "Search," insert: FDA-2008-N-0163
   Follow instructions to submit comments.
   
2. Fax: 301-827-6870.


3. Mail/Hand delivery/Courier [For paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions]:
   Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305),
   Food and Drug Administration,
   5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
   Rockville, MD 20852

Charlie Brown, National Counsel
Consumers for Dental Choice
28 April 2008

PS--Doctor, be assured we are not letting up in pressure in the courtroom. On May 16, in Washington DC, I will argue for our motion for a preliminary injunction to take mercury fillings off the market until and unless FDA classifies it. PPS--Thank you! Call me if you have questi ons--202.544-6333

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IBCMT Workshop - April 2008
Download this article in German - MS-Word Document (41kb)

German Workshop of Metal Toxicology - April 2008
International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology (IBCMT)

This post graduate medical training seminar, held in Frankfurt, was officially recognized and certified by the medical academy of Hesse (Akademie fÜr Fach - und Weiterbildung der Landesärztekammer Hessen). The fully booked meeting was organized by the German Medical Associaion for Clinical Metal Toxicology (=KMT, formerly German Medical Association of Chelation Therapy) and Micro Trace Minerals Laboratory GmbH.

Dr. VanderSchaar, IBCMT President, provided an overview of IBCMT's future goals and Dr. Psenicka of the German Medical Association for Clinical Metal Toxicology pledged his support.
The Friday session provided basic chelation training. Main lecturers were Dr. Fischer, President of KMT, Dr. Blaurock-Busch and Dr. Pahlplatz who also introduced IBCMT's certifying process.


The advanced workshop, held on Saturday, included lectures by Prof. Schulte-Uebbing of Munich, Germany and others. Presentations on the impact of metals on immune and metabolic functions and the role of digestive functions were part of the program. Dr. Blaurock-Busch also provided analytical evidence regarding some highly promoted detoxifying products that simply can't and don't work.
For more information, contact Dr. E. Blaurock-Busch at ebb@microtrace.de or Dr. Psenicka at dgct@chelat-gesellschaft.de

Dr.E.Blaurock-Busch PhD
Micro Trace Minerals GmbH
Geschaeftsfuehrung: Yvette Busch CEO
Amtsgericht Nuernberg HRB 21937
Roehrenstr 20
D-91217 Hersbruck-Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 9151-4332 Fax +49 (0)9151 2306
US Office:
P.O.Box 4613
Boulder, Colorado 80306-4613
www.microtrace.de

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IBCMT Workshop - April 2008
Download this article - MS-Word Document (41kb)

Kurzbericht: Deutscher Workshop der Metalltoxikologie April 2008
International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology (IBCMT)
in Kooperation mit der
Ärztegesellschaft für Klinische Metalltoxikologie (KMT) und Micro Trace Minerals (MTM)

Für die Teilnahme an dem anspruchsvollen Programm konnten 23 Fachfortbildungspunkte vergeben werden. Die Tagung war vollkommen ausgebucht. An der vornehmlich von Ärzten besuchten Fachveranstaltung nahmen Zahnärzte, Apotheker und Heilpraktiker teil. Vorgetragene Themen und Referenten wurden ausnahmslos positiv bewertet; die Stimmung während der Veranstaltung war von großem Interesse für die Weiterentwicklung der Chelattherapie , sprich Metalltoxikologie, geprägt.

Dr. Peter VanderSchaar, IBCMT Präsident berichtete über die Zukunftspläne der internationalen Prüfungs- und Zertifizierungskommission IBCMT und Dr. Friedrich Psenicka, Generalsekretär der Deutschen Ärztegesellschaft ersten Fachfortbildungstag gab bekannt, dass auf Grund der neuen Erkenntnisse und Entwicklungen eine Umbennung der Ärztegesellschaft für Chelattherapie beantragt wurde. In Zukunft wird diese Deutsche Ärztegesellschaft für Metalltoxikologie genannt.

Das Basisprogramm des ersten Fachfortbildungstages 'Metalltoxikologie und Gefäßerkrankungen' widmete sich vornehmlich der EDTA Chelattherapie. Dr. Fischer, Präsident der Ärztegesellschaft erklärte anschaulich und eindringlich welche wichtige Details die Therapieerfolge optimieren. Dr. Blaurock-Busch, die für den akademischen Teil des Programms Verantwortliche, erklärte die unterschiedlichen Wirkungsweisen und Metallbindekapazitäten der verschiedenen EDTAs, inwieweit das Kombinieren von Chelatbildnern die Entgiftungsprozesse maximieren können und wie Regulationsstörungen günstig beeinflußt werden.

Das Programm des nächsten Tages, 'Immun- und Funktionsstörungen- Aspekte der Metalltoxikologie' widmete sich einem breiten Aspekt der Metalltoxikologie. Die Präsentation von Dr. Louis Niestegge galt der Amalgamproblematik, wobei alle Teilnehmer sich einig waren, dass dieses Thema zwar in 'vieler Munde' ist, doch weitaus mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdient. Dr. Ruprecht der Firma Heyl, Berlin erläuterte die Wirkungs- und Anwendungsweise von DMPS und knüpfte somit gekonnt an das 'Amalgamthema' und die Vielzahl der Zahnmetalle an.

Behandlungsmöglichkeiten von Mamma Karzinom und Endometriose erläuterte Prof. Schulte-Uebbing, München, wobei in seinem höchstinteressanten Vortrag die Rolle der Schwermetalle einschließlich Kadmium anschaulich erklärt wurde. Dr. Peter Jennrich erweiterte das Programm mit Fallbeispielen aus der Praxis. Auch dieses Referat, wie alle anderen, wurde mit großem Interesse verfolgt.

Die Mikrobiologie und Immunfunktion des Darms als wichtiger Teil der Chelattherapie wurde in Referaten von Dr. Weskott (vormals Präsident der DACT) und Laborarzt Dr. Ernst erläutert.

Allen Referenten ein herzliches Dankeschön für hervoragende Beiträge. Nicht alle sind hier erwähnt. Wir bitten um Verständnis.

Den Teilnehmern, die die IBCMT Prüfung erfolgreich absolvierten unseren herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Weitere Fachfortbildungen sind in Planung.

Dr.E.Blaurock-Busch PhD
Micro Trace Minerals GmbH
Geschaeftsfuehrung: Yvette Busch CEO
Amtsgericht Nuernberg HRB 21937
Roehrenstr 20
D-91217 Hersbruck-Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 9151-4332 Fax +49 (0)9151 2306
US Office:
P.O.Box 4613
Boulder, Colorado 80306-4613
www.microtrace.de

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Subject: FDA and Amalgam Suit
Date: 04-01-2007
Author: Tim Bolen

Mercury Fillings May Become Illegal Soon!!!

Assuming the court is honest (which is a bit assumption, I realize) it looks like the FDA is gonna lose big time on this one. I sure hope that once this case is won, people go after the FDA in court over Fluoride. Below from Iodine list.

=============================

FDA "Backs Down(?)" Over Deadly Mercury Amalgams...
Opinion by Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen
Monday, March 19th, 2007

One of the biggest scandals in American health care is coming to a head this March 27th, 2007. In the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, a case, called "Moms Against Mercury, et al., v. FDA" will get its time in the sunlight, and the Defendant, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) isn't doing well in its Defense.

The case is simple. Citizens are suing the FDA for NOT, during the last THIRTY YEARS, ruling on the safety, or danger, of mercury amalgam tooth fillings. The Plaintiffs want mercury amalgam tooth fillings banned completely, and forever. And, the FDA has virtually no defense...

The US anti-amalgam movement, an aggressive division of the North American Health Freedom Movement, has for years, chipped away at "official dentistry's" promotion of mercury amalgam tooth fillings, pointing out, correctly, their inherent dangers. But "official dentistry" doesn't listen, and in fact, actively punishes dentists that shy away from, or actively advertise the removal of, mercury amalgam fillings. The war has been active for a long time.

With this legal assault the anti-amalgams have adopted an effective offense. In essence, you might say, the anti-amalgam people, armed with silver bullets, have found the secret entrance to the FDA's dungeon, climbed down into the sanctuary during the daylight hours, opened the coffins of the FDA's sleeping staff dentists, sprinkled holy water over them, and driven wooden stakes through their hearts. So to speak.

This case can be the decisive blow - for the FDA attorneys don't have very good answers. The case reads:

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT

Thirty years after being directed to classify all devices, 20 years after classifying all other dental fillings materials, 13 years after being mandamused to classify but winning on exhaustion grounds, nine years after specifically promising (in writing) to classify, four years after pleading no excuses to Congress for not classifying, it’s clear that FDA’s policy is not to classify encapsulated mercury amalgam. To say FDA ignores this issue is incorrect: FDA’s public relations machine is has been in high gear, as the Center for Devices bobs and weaves about its duty to classify through three “literature reviews,” three “consumer updates,” one “white paper,” and a plethora of sound bites.

The decision not to classify – a plain violation of the statute – is thus a reviewable decision.

FDA’s choice of cheerleader for amalgam, instead of regulator of amalgam, is not acceptable. FDA otherwise bans, limits, and warns against other products, drugs, or foods containing mercury, while other federal health agencies and the health regulators of other nations condemn mercury amalgam.

FDA not only ducks classifying, but also refuses to do an environmental assessment, which would plainly indicate the need for an environmental impact statement. Nor will FDA seek a timely and valid panel recommendation – the previous one being too old (1994), procedurally invalid (no statement for departing from Class III), and sub silentio overruled in September 2006. The writing is on the wall in both cases: An environmental assessment will plainly indicate the need for an environmental impact statement, which report would show alternatives to toxic mercury can be used in fillings, thereby eliminating the major source of mercury in the nation’s wastewater – amalgam. In September, the FDA panel decisively rejected the FDA staff’s pseudo-science about amalgam (e.g., it is safe because it’s been used for a long time), so FDA ducks asking the panel for formal action.

FDA keeps amalgam on the market via a sham substantial equivalence test, pretending that a powder half-device containing no mercury equates to a full device capsule that is 50% toxic mercury. When asked by Senator Kennedy why this practice is allowed, Commissioner Von Eschenbach in writing denied that FDA considers the two devices to be substantially equivalent. Since the staff has ten times approved amalgam under this test in the past six years (and many times before that), perhaps the Center for Devices is engaged in rogue activity unknown to the Commissioner’s office.

The correct recourse is not a mere order to classify, allowing an unclassified, unregulated device – with 50% mercury and for which substitute materials are legal and available for any dentist to place – to remain in commerce, but to remove it from commerce temporarily until FDA complies with its legal duties.

CONCLUSION

This Court mustdirect FDA to start being amalgam’s regulator instead of amalgam’s cheerleader. Whether by intention or lethargy, FDA’s Center for Devices has protected the marketing of mercury fillings by doing none of its regulatory duties – neither classifying nor requiring proof of safety nor doing an environmental assessment nor seeking a valid recommendation from the scientific panel. Since they have ducked and dodged classifying encapsulated amalgam after classifying all other dental filling materials in the 1980s, the mercury apologists at the Center for Devices by now realize that completing any of these tasks will lead straight to the end of mercury in dentistry.

Thus, an order to classify is not enough. The legal prerequisites (environmental impact statement and Panel referral) mean the process will take months; the record of bad faith suggests it will take years. Amalgam is illegally in commerce. It must be removed from commerce forthwith, temporarily, until FDA chooses to complete its regulatory duties.

What was the FDA's response to this legal action?
Not much.

Charlie Brown, two-time elected Attorney General for the State of West Virginia, and now attorney for the Plaintiffs, says of the case
Our case, filed April 27, 2006, by 9 petitioners (names below)* charges FDA with illegally allowing the sale of mercury fillings. For thirty years, FDA has defiantly refused to classify amalgam -- even though this step is required as the legal prerequisite to sale of any implants. Even the repudiation of its pseudo-science by two FDA Scientific Panels on September 7, 2006 has not deterred FDA, who is making false and deceptive claims to mask the vote of these Panels.

Faced with standing before a federal court, FDA now departs from its role as chief cheerleader for mercury fillings. In its brief, FDA admits, five times, that it does not know if mercury amalgam is safe or unsafe!

The nine petitioners who sued FDA: Four organizations: Moms Against Mercury (Amy Carson, Angela Medlin), Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice (Mark Mitchell, M.D.), Oregonians for Life (Mary Starrett), and California Citizens for Health Freedom (Frank Cuny); two state officials: California Dental Board Public Member Kevin J.Biggers, and Arizona State Senator Karen Johnson; three individuals: Dr. Andy Landerman, Linda Brocato, and Anita Vazquez Tibau.

This is a breakthrough not thought possible a year ago. To repeat, FDA now admits that the evidence is “changing,” thus the safety of mercury fillings is not “definitive” and is “the subject of intense disagreement.” Quotations from FDA’s brief, containing those admissions, are below.**

FDA’s admissions in its brief to the US Court of Appeals: “there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the health effects of mercury fillings”; “constantly changing scientific evidence” exists on mercury amalgam; “complex issues and intense disagreement [exist] about the scientific evidence regarding mercury and its potential health effects”; “the complexity of the issue and the lack of conclusive scientific evidence on the health effects of dental amalgams”; “the lack of … definitive scientific evidence.”

Let's see what happens next.

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Subject: Since 1995, nicotine increased by 11% in cigarettes
Date: 02-01-07
Source: Tobacco Control Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health

Since 1995, nicotine increased by 11% in cigarettes
Manufacturers also modified several design features to increase the number of puffs per cigarette.
February 2007

An analysis of nicotine yield from major brand-name cigarettes sold in Massachusetts between 1997 and 2005 has confirmed that manufacturers have steadily increased the levels of this agent in cigarettes.

The analysis, based on data submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by the manufacturers, found that increases in smoke nicotine yield per cigarette average 1.6% each year, or about 11% through a seven-year period.

A research team from the Tobacco Control Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health performed the data analysis.

“Cigarettes are finely-tuned drug delivery devices, designed to perpetuate a tobacco pandemic,” Howard Koh, MD, associate dean for public health practice at the Harvard School of Public Health said in a press release. “Yet precise information about these products remains shrouded in secrecy, hidden from the public. Policy actions today requiring the tobacco industry to disclose critical information about nicotine and product design could protect the next generation from the tragedy of addiction.”

In addition to the increase in yield, the researchers concluded that manufacturers accomplished the increase not only by intensifying the concentration of nicotine in the tobacco but also by modifying several design features of cigarettes to increase the number of puffs per cigarette. The end result is a product that is potentially more addictive.

The researchers also examined all market categories and found that smoke nicotine yields were increased in the cigarettes of each of the four major manufacturers and across all the major cigarette market categories.

Increased regulation

Gregory Connolly, MD, professor of the practice of public health at the Harvard School of Public Health said the discovery of an 11% increase in nicotine content confirms recent statements by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that manufacturers have the ability to manipulate addictive additives, and, he said, “it underscores the need for continued surveillance of nicotine delivery in products created by an unregulated industry.

“Our findings call into serious question whether the tobacco industry has changed at all in its pursuit of addicting smokers since signing the Master Settlement Agreement of 1998 with the State Attorneys General,” Connolly said in a written statement.

Connolly said scrutiny by the attorneys general is imperative. Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts introduced legislation that would bring the tobacco industry under the rules that regulate other manufacturers of drugs.

Beginning in 1997, Massachusetts’s regulations have required that an annual report be filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by all manufacturers of cigarettes sold in Massachusetts. The reported data include machine-based measures of nicotine yield as well as measures of cigarette design related to nicotine delivery.

The researchers suggest that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health amend its unique reporting requirements to include more information about cigarette and smokeless tobacco product design features that affect nicotine delivery, as well as testing of a sample of brands for the actual delivery of nicotine to the body.

Report of Unethical Conduct        Top of Page
Date: September 17, 2009        Author: Peter J. VanDerSchaar

Report of Unethical Conduct

Recently, a member of IBCMT sent an advertisement to the newspapers that he had developed a revolutionary new concept of EDTA chelation therapy, which was equally effective, but was much less expensive and took less time. It turned out that the revolutionary concept only consisted of administering half the dosage of EDTA in less volume.

IBCMT is not against less EDTA per treatment, and leaves that to the judgement of the practitioner. However, this advertisement is considered to be misleading, not meeting ethical standards and is no more than a cheap advertisement trick to acquire more patients or lure away patients from other practices.

IBCMT did not get a satisfactory response from this physician, when interrogating him about his conduct and decided to put this issue to the Board. However, the physician concerned, already discontinued his IBCMT membership, relieving IBCMT from the task to take disciplinary actions.

Chelation        Top of Page
Date:        Author: Dr Hasnain Patel

Dear Dr Stephan Barret

I am a consultant cardiologist of 30 years standing. I underwent angioplasty with stenting that gave me relief for 20 odd days, following which I had crescendo angina. I then underwent 6 vessel bypass RIMA/LIMA which lasted for 3 years despite life style changes. My double vessel heart disease became generalized after the plasty!!

I then was advised redo bypass which I declined. I underwent 30 sittings of chelation and I have NO angina and my thallium is now normal.

I have only one question for you sir. Have you ever met, spoken to or have analyzed any patient who has undergone chelation? If you so desire I can show you over 100 patients of heart disease, angina, strokes and Parkinson as well as Autism that have benefited from chelation.

If we approach science with a closed mind, we might as well throw away our doctorates.

Dr Hasnain Patel

Comments Regarding the article:

Vitamin C, Glutathione, or Lipoic Acid Did Not Decrease Brain or Kidney Mercury in Rats Exposed to Mercury Vapor

Authors: H. Vasken Aposhian, Daniel L. Morgan, H. L. Sam Queen, Richard M. Maiorino, and Mary M. Aposhian

Date: March 1, 2009

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We have this problem that very few chelators pass the blood-brain-barrier.
D-Penicillamine does, EDTA doesn’t, but I don’t think DMSA or DMPS does.
This could explain the lack of effect on the brain but not the kidney for DMPS and DMSA.
Besides the treatment period is very very short.
Best regards
-Claus
Claus Hancke MD
Specialist in General Medicine
Institute for Orthomolecular Medicine
Lyngby Hovedgade 37
DK - 2800 Kgs.Lyngby
Denmark
www.iom.dk

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I would assume that as the ALA and GSH show primarily biliary excretion, that this may explain why they did not reduce renal Hg compared to dmsa and dmps which do have renal excretion.
As for brain Hg; none of these agents is going to have any significant chelating effect from the brain. (alpha lipoic may conceivably have a slow minor effect here)
Any change to cns Hg from these is more likely to involve a significant time delay as they are more likely to be reducing non-cns Hg burden, leading to a slow mobilisation and redistribution of cns Hg over time.
Sos the time frame for this study was bound to show just these results.
Dr Emmanuel Varipatis
YourHealth Manly
Sydney, Australia

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Dear Dr.Vessa,

1. Hg will induced oxidation or inflammation within many tissues due to the fluctation of valencies in the heavy metal.
   
2. Vit C etc can dam down the such inflammation ie. antioxidation
   
3. DMSA and EDTA are my choice to lower the Toxic metal level but the level may rise for a couple of weeks before going down due to pulling effects of the drugs on tissue Hg.
   

Hope the above points can help your understanding the backgroun of treatment, which you can learn from IBCMT or ACAM.
Good luck!
Dr. Francis Siu certified Member of IBCMT and ACAM from Hong Kong.

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Dear Collegue,
In my opinion the best way to reduce mercury levels in the brain is to administer glutathion intravenously after intravenous injection with Lipostabil (phosphatidylcholine), according to the Patricia Kane protocol for neurological disorders.
Otherwise glutathion won't pass the Blood Brain Barrier.
The protocol includes Lipostabil, leucovorin, methylB12, sodiumphenylbutyric acid and Tationil-glutathion (1200-2400 mg).
Glutathion given orally is a big waste of money.

Kind regards,
Paul van Meerendonk, MD
Biologisch Medisch Centrum
Lariksweg 28
8162 EG Epe
Netherlands
Tel.: 31-578-610292
Fax: 31-578-610270

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Dear Dr. Visser,
I have been involved with lots of patients with neurological involvement by mercury toxicity like the autistic kids.. This paper ‘s finding is true in the sense that the diffusion of mercury across the blood brain barrier is not easy by the administration of DMPS,DMSA, Vit C, Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have talked with Dr. Patricia Kane over the phone on the modalities of treatment in autistic months ago. She commented the use of chelators like DMSA., DMPS can cause damage by redistributing the mercury from different organs.
Her tactic is to use an intravenous preparation of Phosphatidylcholine (Lipostabil from Switzerland ) with intravenous Glutathione.
The Phosphatidyl choline can open up the blood brain barrier and allow the mercury to diffuse out of the brain.
I have tried on this tactic in my autistic patients and they did improve without adverse side effects ( a common side effect is regression of autistic ffeatures did occur with DMPD,DMSA treatment of autistic).
This article reinforced this belief.
Regards,
Dr. Paul Lam
Hong Kong

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