FAQ's
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions from the book, The Mercury Detoxification Manual.
I hope you find them interesting and informative.
How does the MTHFR gene affect my ability to chelate?
Ignore everything you have read about MTHFR as it is not relevant to chelation. You can chelate just fine whichever MTHFR you have. You can take whatever special form of folate and B-12 you want to.
How much iodine should I use?
Do not take more than 500 mcg of iodine a day as more will eventually become toxic.
Can I use zeolite, modified citrus pectin on bentonite clay?
You can take zeolite, MCP or bentonite if you wish but it is not going to chelate anything.
I have Lyme disease. What should I do?
If you just have Lyme disease, antibiotics cure it. If you took any reasonable course of antibiotics and are not cured, you need to chelate. If you want to continue taking antibiotics it’s fine, they don’t interfere with chelation and chelation doesn’t interfere with them. Just be sure no supplements you are using have ALA, R-ALA, cilantro or chlorella in them.
My doctor says I should do a challenge test, do a DMPS IV, take chelators once a day and so forth.
Be very cautious about taking the advice of doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors and other providers. They do not have the proper background or technical education to guide you. Frequent low dose chelation is the only way to remove metals safely. Any other way carries significant risk. Don’t wind up bed ridden, in chronic pain, or in a mental institution. Chelate properly and get well!
Can I use R-ALA?
No. Everyone that has used it reported that it made them worse.
I have been taking ALA once a day and nothing bad has happened.
Stop right away! Give it enough time and it will do long-lasting damage that is very difficult to reverse. Taking ALA once a day will drive mercury into your brain. Once you do this, it takes a long time to get it out.
Does chelation remove important minerals?
No. The chelators discussed in The Mercury Detoxification Manual, alpha lipoic acid, DMSA and DMPS, are highly selective for heavy metals. They do not directly remove the lighter nutrient metals. People who have mercury often have low magnesium and zinc because mercury keeps your body from holding on to them. When chelating, this problem may be exacerbated for magnesium. No other metal is affected.
Shouldn’t I heal my gut, cure my candida, clear out my detox pathways before I start chelating?
These problems will never clear up until you chelate. You can treat them at the same time as you are chelating. Chelating will allow your immune system to work properly and combat these problems. Do not put off chelating for more than two weeks.
My doctor thinks it is all quackery and won’t help me.
Don’t upset yourself or your doctor by arguing. Find another doctor who does want to help you.
How can I get my family to understand that they are toxic and need to chelate?
Get better. Until then there is nothing you can say that won’t make them think that you have gone even further around the bend. You need to tell them what you are doing and then be patient for however long it takes to get better. This might be a year or two. When they notice that you are improving they’ll listen to you. The more you talk about it now, the less likely they’ll be to ever listen to you.
