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mercury

US Dental groups sued over use of mercury – (06-25-01)

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US Dental groups sued over use of mercury

Remember that the ADA was formed mainly to promote the use of mercury as safe in amalgam fillings. There is now no question that mercury from fillings can and does end up in the bloodstream and breast milk, and that mercury is very toxic to the human nervous system. Not a very good track record for the ADA. And yet they are looked to as an authority when it comes to the use of fluoride in municipal drinking water…

(article) A coalition of public interest groups sued the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA) on Tuesday, claiming they have misled the public about the dangers of mercury in tooth fillings. The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, are the latest salvo in a growing battle over mercury fillings, which opponents say can poison the body with leaking vapors possibly linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological problems, especially in children and unborn babies. The dental associations insist that mercury is safe when mixed with other metals and implanted in teeth and that studies have failed to demonstrate that the low level vapors are dangerous. The lawsuits allege violations of California’s business and professions code and charge that the ADA and the CDA have issued rules preventing dentists from discussing the dangers of mercury with patients. “The worst thing they are doing is hiding the presence of mercury in fillings — which they call silver amalgam — and trying to keep dentists from saying the ‘M’ word and keep consumers from hearing the ‘M’ word,” plaintiffs’ attorney Charles Brown said. “These fillings are 50% mercury.” “We consider it to be safe and the science certainly indicates that it is,” CDA spokeswoman Linda Seifert said, adding that her organization advocates that dentists explain the risks of any procedure to patients. Fred Peterson, a spokesman for the ADA, said he could not discuss the lawsuit but issued a prepared statement which maintains that the fillings are safe. The National Institutes of Health are conducting clinical trials to investigate the effects of mercury fillings in children. Other studies of mercury in fillings have been inconclusive. Similar lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Maryland by dentists and patients, while state legislatures in New York and Maine are considering bills that would require dentists to disclose to patients the makeup of their fillings.

WHY YOU SHOULD EAT BROCCOLI WITH YOUR FISH

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Many people consume fish because of the mistaken idea that it is good for you.  While this can be true, in many situations this is just not the case.  There are several concerns when it comes to fish intake that you need to be aware of.

First is the difference between farm raised and wild caught.  Do NOT eat farm raised.  Period.  It is higher in omega 6 fats because they are usually fed corn and soy based diets, in stark contrast to wild caught salmon that eat a diet of algae, krill, zooplankton and small fish.  Many people think they are eating salmon because it is high in good fat, but unless they are ensuring that the fish is wild caught, they are mistaken.

It is clear that farm raised fish are higher in pesticides and other contaminants, which, without saying anything further, is a BAD thing.

The beautiful pink color of wild caught salmon is due to the carotenoids from the algae and zooplankton, most specifically astaxanthin.  These carotenoids have powerful health effects on their own.  In farm raised it is frequently a dye.  Again, NOT a good thing.

It is clear to me that few understand that there is a difference.  At restaurants, when querrieing the server, it is rare that they know whether a fish item is farm raised or wild caught.  Many don’t seem to know that there is a difference.  Even some of the higher dollar restaurants I have been to charge premium prices for farm raised fish.  If more customers where asking, the wait staff would know the answer right off the bat instead of having to ask the chef.

Finally, a concern present with both farm raised and wild caught is the mercury content.  See, animals in general do not get rid of heavy metals very good.  As a result, it bioconcentrates up the food chain.  So, as the fish gets bigger and eats more smaller fish, its levels of mercury goes up.  Thus, the larger fish like tuna, shark and halibut are known to have some of the highest levels of mercury.  It’s why chunk light tuna has less mercury than albacore, which is an older fish.

So sticking with low mercury fish is something to consider.  Disappointing for me because I prefer the solid consistency of fish like mahi and halibut.  Good thing this article throws some ideas out there..

In this particular mouse study, the use of isothiocyanates, such as those found in broccoli, lowered both the accumulation of mercury in the liver as well as the potential for toxicity in these cells.

So, if you’re going to sit down to a nice piece of grilled halibut, make sure it’s got a heaping side of broccoli…

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