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Toxic Metals: And you thought the metals slowly worked their way away... ???
In the words of a fellow physician: Its no longer a question of IF your toxic but rather HOW toxic. Dr. W. Crinnion
Curiously most patients are completely unaware of their exposures, until a thorough history has been taken. Its not necessary
to have an occupational exposure to become contaminated. Some examples of patients found to be overloaded with toxic metals,can
include those who eat commercial chickens or certain seafood, drink from specific water sources, have hobbies including paint,
adhesive and/or solvent, dye their hair, get preserved immunization (including the flu), have amalgam fillings and the list
goes on.
In the clinical setting when using testing methods including hair analysis and challenge testing, via chelation on urine,
often timesone sees an amazing potpourri of metals in excessive amounts. The hair analysis is an excellent low cost method
of screening. The challenge testing is only slightly more involved and can as a secondary effect act in a therapeutic manner.
There was a recent rash of articles suggesting that hair analysis is dependent on the laboratory chosen. For this reason we
have chosen, for over 10 years, to utilize only two firms. They represent the highest level of laboratory quality control
available.
The real point of the testing is that you stand to achieve a large potential return on your investment: your maintenance of
health.
Plan a thorough health checkup and avoid the revenges of old age. The next part of this article should give you a better perspective
on the overwhelming importance of minimizing your body burden. As you will come to appreciate, many degenerative diseases
are associated with the toxic nature of heavy metals. Dr. Kadish
THREE MORE STUDIES ON HEAVY METAL EXPOSURES:
The following three research studies show more links between heavy metals and degenerative diseases.
A study appearing in the October 24 issue of Neurology states lead can cause progressive declines in memory and learning abilities
nearly two decades after occupational exposure. Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health conducted the study, one
of the first on long-term effects of lead exposure.
The researchers followed 535 former chemical manufacturing employees having an exposure to lead at work, and compared them
with 118 non-exposed people from the same neighborhoods.
The former workers had an average of eight years of occupational exposure to lead with an average of 16 years since last working
with lead.
"The effects of the average level of bone lead found in former lead workers was like five more years of aging on the brain,"
said primary author Dr. Brian Schwartz, of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
Significant differences were discovered between the former workers and other participants in tests of visual construction,
verbal memory and learning, visual memory, planning and organizational ability, and manual dexterity.
In a second study, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, recently demonstrated
that people with occupational lead exposures are up to 3.4 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
The Case Western study compared the occupational histories of 185 people with Alzheimer's to 303 people who are free of the
disease. The team used hazard lists developed by the National Occupational Exposure Survey, to estimate the probability of
toxic exposure to a variety of agents used in each occupation. Occupational exposure was then multiplied by the number of
years a person worked at a job to determine lifetime exposure.
A third research team from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has linked manganese exposure from welding
fumes to the early onset of Parkinson's disease. The paper is featured in the January 2001 issue of Neurology.
The researchers found no clinical differences between the welders and typical Parkinson's disease patients. The two groups
had the same severity and frequency of symptoms and responded similarly to levodopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
The only statistically significant difference was average age of onset: 45 for the welders, which is 15 years younger than
for the control group.
(Sources: ENS, Neurology)
If you are not adequately convince consider this piece by Mitch Kennedy, NDcand.
Lead and Cadmium in Baby Powders
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a non-profit research organization in California, conducted research on lead levels
in baby powders and creams. CEH found several powders and many "medicated" Baby powders contain levels of lead above California's
legal exposure limit.
CEH cites inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through the skin as routes of exposure to these heavy metals. Most pediatricians
already warn mothers not to use talc, as it leads to pneumonia and other respiratory problems. Additional cautions about specific
brands may now be warranted according to CEH. You may contact CEH directly for a list of powders and creams tested. For additional
information contact, Bhavna Shamasunder, Staff Scientist, Center for Environmental Health 528 61st St, Suite A, Oakland, CA
94609 (510)594-9864, fax. (510)594-9863
What you can do: Advise your patients to use cornstarch powders (unscented and unmedicated) rather than other kinds of baby
powders. Do not over use baby powders and apply as minimal an amount as possible to avoid inhalation. Excellent advice, check
your baby supplies.
A very difficult aspect of toxic exposure issues is what constitutes enough of a body burden to cause symptoms. No two practitioners
will necessarily agree. There appears to be a significant amount of literature to suggest that even slightly elevated from
"normal" level can and will be enough to affect most patients.
On the 26th of this March, at 9pm on PBS, the public broadcast television station, you might find yourself very much alarmed
by a program entitled , "TRADE SECRETS: A MOYERS REPORT, correspondent Bill Moyers and producer Sherry Jones uncover how our
health and safety have been put at risk and why powerful forces don't want the truth to be known. This investigative report,
accompanied by a PBS.org Web site, is based on a massive archive of secret industry documents as shocking as the "tobacco
papers." TRADE SECRETS provides everyone working on toxic chemicals and environmental health issues a tremendous education
and outreach opportunity.
The intent of this article is to get your thought processes in motion. Evaluate your living and working environment. Poisons
are generally avoidable if you are educated and know what to ask and how to evaluate a product. Even under the worst of situations,
minimal change can positively influence your health.
How many of you have ever seen an MSDS, Material Safety Data Sheet.Every company that manufactures or distributes hazardous
chemicals in the United States must prepare a MSDS. Development of MSDS's was mandated by the Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA) in their Hazard Communications Standard 29CFR 1910.1200. This standard is commonly referred to as the
Right-To-Know Law. For those in an industrial setting you will find these information sheets attached to most chemicals and
their products. They are free for the asking and can easily explain the nature of a potential carcinogen or the toxicity to
which organ system, along with proper handling and disposal of even household cleaners, hobby materials, etc. Want to be an
astute consumer consult and learn more about how to reference the MSDS's, on line? Go to the quiz center. For an extensive
listings of 85 sources of MSDS information click here.
The Center has a number of resource materials available, to our clients. Three of the best and easiest to use books include:
"A Consumer's Dictionary of Household,Yard and Office Chemicals" , "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients" and "A
Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives" the author for all three is Ruth Winter.
Dr. Kadish has had hands on experience, with friendlier healthier building, hobby , household and industrial materials. At
the Center of Health™, we can advise you regarding the best methods and options to determine, maintain and enhance your
health.
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