Below are a few excerpts from my doctor's website, www.neuraltherapy.com. The excerpts below briefly touch on the difficulties of accurate diagnosis of heavy metal toxicity. They also partially explain how and why metals are found in individuals with chronic infections, to the best of my understanding, virtually if not always without exception.

``Heavy Metals and Chronic Diseases
by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., PhD

So in the long run, the situation looks different: the cells of the body are harmed by toxic metals whereas the invading microorganisms can often thrive in a heavy metal environment. Research by Ludwig, Voll and others in Germany, by Omura and myself here in the US, showed that microorganisms tend to set up their housekeeping in those body compartments, that have the highest pollution with toxic metals. The body's own immune cells are incapacitated in those areas whereas the microorganisms multiply and thrive in an undisturbed way. The teeth, jawbone, Peyers patches in the gutwall, the groundsystem (connective tissue) and the autonomic ganglia are common sites of metal storage - where microorganisms thrive. Furthermore, those body areas also are vasoconstricted and hypoperfused (by blood, nutrients and oxygen), which fosters the growth of anaerobic germs, fungi and viruses.
...
Has Guenther Enderlein not basically found the same truth over 60 years ago? What took so long? Like Bechamp and others he found that infections cannot thrive in the body, unless the milieu is changed in the first place. Rather then looking at the pH, osmolality and the other factors (today also jokingly called the "BTA factors" - from an instrumentation available in the US called "Bio-terrain assessment", which is really a modernization of an instrument developed by French researcher and hydrologist Vincent), I suggest diagnosing and treating toxic metal residues in the body along with appropriate treatment of the microorganisms. As long as compartmentalized toxic metals are present in the body, microorganisms have a fortress that cannot be conquered by antibiotics, Enderlein remedies, ozone therapy, UV light therapy and others.
...
To diagnose metal deposits in the different body compartments on a living patient is not easy (see my article in Explore: Vol??, 1997), since most "scientific"tests are based on grinding up tissue and then examining it with a microscope, spectroscopy or other laboratory based procedures. Most elegant, suitable and easy to learn is Dr.Yoshiaki Omura's resonance phenomenon between identical substances : both his bi-digital O-ring test or ART (autonomic response testing) are extensions of a regular physical exam, that can be done without any instrument. It is a very accurate diagnostic tool and makes it possible to not only diagnose where in the body which metal is stored but also helps to predict which metal detoxifying agent is most suitable to remove the toxic metal from that particular body region.''

There's a lot more to be said about this subject, but for now I'll quote no more and let the more curious reader investigate further at www.neuraltherapy.com, or by reading GIGI's thorough thread "If you are fighting candida, please note", or at the many other related sites.

At the ``Chemical and Heavy Metal Toxicity Conference 2004'', the direct relationship between microbial burden and toxic metal burden was discussed at length. Also discussed was phenomenon of healing crises or ``herxes'', and how oftentimes what is thought to be only die-off is in fact the release of microbe-bound toxic metals as well as die-off.

The metals often result in far more severe symptoms than the die-off, and the metals are often then redistributed to parts of the body where it may be less desirable to harbor them.

My basic and incomplete understanding of why there appears to be a proportional correlation, and causal link, between microbial burden and toxic metal burden is as follows:

White blood cells cannot metabolize certain toxins, especially mercury. When the immune system, already dealing with chronic infection/s, is further confronted with the metals and other toxins we are all exposed to daily, it allows the microbes to bind to the metals and toxins. This is done as a survival mechanism for the afflicted organism: the metals are bound by the microbes and this affords the organism greater protection from them.

The metals don't go away and they are mostly not metabolized, mobilized or eliminated, they are just compartmentalized. This ``synergy'', or "alliance" provides a defense for the microbes against antimicrobial agents, a defense for the host from the metals, and it also explains what I mentioned above regarding healing crises often being the successful elimination of microbes that had shielded the organism from the metals they were bound to.

A direct relationship has been observed between microbial and toxic metal loads. For those of us with a more intelligently and respectfully critical bent of mind, for now I can, for the most part, only appeal to the authority of the many experts on this subject where gaps or inconsistencies in what I've presented leave some dissatisfaction.

I acknowledge that this post raises as many questions as it attempts to answer, however presently I may be ill equipped to provide ALL the answers. By later this month I anticipate knowing a lot more of the details.

I hope this helps explain some of the difficulty so many of us have been having getting better,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I totally agree with this. I'm just starting to deal with heavy metals and cavitations and was wondering if you can do both when treating lyme?

I'd love to see someone who does neural therapy but the practioner I could find on the website in my state does prolotherapy nothing else.

Sounds like I'd need to travel out of state like I do for the LLMD if I want to pursue this.

How often do you see your doc, do you have heavy metals, what protocol are you following, and do you take abx?

It seems that we start storing, or pull these metals from storage, when our own beneficial minerals are significantly depleted.

When the good guys leave town, the bad guys take over...to try to supply the missing ++ charges to react with the -- charges to make hydrogen. Basically to try to knock out an infection that is killing us. The body is in a self preservation mode.

Malic acid chelates AL. (Curiously both Mg and AL burn with a white light.) Selenium chelates many others.

Given our ongoing exposure to AL (deodorants, pop cans,etc.) it's amazing any of us are at all well.

Not to mention drinking water that has been treated with fluroide. Binds with Mg.

To chelate beryllium (overexposure) or lead...requires some big guns.

Ahhhh bioterrain. Got a book and heard a lecture from a biochemist 2 weeks ago. Yes, very important to maintain the right pH. Need to have a LOT of hydrogen available...but...***have to get it INTO the cells. There's the rub. (pH stands for the POTENTIAL of hydrogen. Now...step 2...)Be very careful with the dosages of the "carrier"! Too much, too fast = major toxins released. Will trigger Ca influx and trigger histamine and TNF alpha soars. Been there, done that.

If you contact a pathogen that depletes a mineral FAST...(figure out the % drop in serum Mg levels in the Romanian abstract at the end of my updated nutshell post), then restoring the bioterrain is going to be a MAJOR undertaking.

This bug is very, very toxic. As bad as botulism...almost.

Antitoxins for botulism exist. Too bad they aren't developing one for lyme.

Snowboarder, my understanding is that the metals and dental issues must be dealt with FIRST, then the infection can be better dealt with by using antimicrobials, a million other "tricks" and with your immune system.

I've been on so many different protocols including many abx and different other therapeutics.

Now that I'm seeing Dr. K on a regular basis (I shoot for at least once a month, but he's a very busy doctor), I'm off the abx and I'm taking a special antidote to eliminate all the residues and leftovers from the many abx I've taken, they do stick around.

I'm also taking certain anti-fungal supplements. I also take high dose zinc, presumably to counterbalance my really high levels of copper, detected first by muscle testing and then in an analysis of my hair.

I also take high dose alpha lipoic acid all day and night and I use biotin with it to potentiate its absorption. There's more, mostly homeopathic remedies and bacteria and FOS.

The only other very toxic metal that showed up in my hair in high amounts was uranium. My most recent hair analysis revealed very low levels of mercury. My hair levels of mercury had been very high three years ago, but I've done a huge amount of detox in the past three years.

I'm still waiting for my DMPS-challenged urinalysis results and for certain other test results.

I think the uranium detected may have been an inaccurate, cross-reaction to other similar radioactive isotopes I've been administered, such as gadolinium (MRI w/ contrast) and radioactive iodine (angiogram) and whatever was used when I had a pet scan, something synthetic with a long name and a 99 in it.

Snowboarder, my advice would be to try and see Dr. K, or the next best thing, someone he trained. His methods and results are without equal.

And Magnesium Marnie, thanks for the info. Maybe one day I'll wander in front of a magnesium truck and all my ills will be resolved! Just kidding, you certainly have done your research and I am in no position to evaluate it with a better informed retort. Party on!

GIGI! I assure you that it is entirely my privelage to be in your camp. You bring such a wealth of selfless effort and wisdom to us all. My thanks to you, my partner in Lyme.

-trevor/oliver

"Many people live a long time with SOME heavy metals present (in amalgams - silver fillings)for example."

However, many do not and many suffer greatly from small amounts of metals. The sensitivity of an individual to mercury or gold or titanium dioxide does not adhere to a set standard. That is to say, allergic responses to metals vary widely among populations and they also can increase and decrease in severity in single individuals.

This was also given a good deal of discussion at the "Chemical and Heavy Metal Toxicity Conference 2004". Examples of children recovering from autism after the removal of single small amalgams were presented. This issue was emphasized by Dr. K, and especially by Dr. Vera Stejskal, Ph.D. She is President of the MELISA Medica Foundation (www.melisa.org) and teaches in both Stockholm and Prague.

Lastly, genetic differences, such as those that can leave individuals without the genes that encode for the enzymes necessary for complete or any metal detox, can account for some of the vastly different responses individuals have to metals, and the greater difficulty many have in eliminating them.

Thanks again for your response.

My hair analysis 2 yeras ago revealed mercury and uranium. What would cause uranium in your system?

My doc at the time said living in Colorado.

Not sure if I buy that or not.

Staying on the same med without any improvement is definitely not the way to go.
Not all detoxing agents work for all people.
I for instance have never been able to make any headway with DMSA and it was therefore never used after my first day of complaint. It just simply never worked for me. It is not often, if at all, used by my doctor.

DMSA has been suspected of moving mercury toward the inside of the cell after picking it up elsewhere.

The application of the various agents has to be done in a specific order. Using DMSA, which crosses the blood brain barrier, before eliminating the load of the
extracellular mercury and connective tissue and is not a good thing.

Here is a portion of some of the literature published by my doctor:

DMSA

DMSA (meso-2, 3-dimercaptosucccinic acid) is another mercury chelating agent. It is the only chelating agent other than cilantro and d-penicillamine81 that penetrates brain cells. DMSA removes mercury both via the kidneys and via the bile.82 The sulfhydryl groups in both DMPS and DMSA bind very tightly to mercury.

DMSA has three distinct disadvantages relative to DMPS.

First, DMPS appears to remain in the body for a longer time than DMSA.83

Secondly, DMPS acts more quickly than DMSA, probably because its distribution is both intracellular and extracellular.84

Thirdly, preparations of DMPS are available for intravenous or intramuscular use, while DMSA is available only in oral form.85 Since succinic acid is used in the citric acid cycle inside the cell, DMSA has been suspected for displacing mercury towards the inside of the cell86 after binding mercury somewhere on its way from the intestine to the succinic acid deficient cell.

We propose therefore that DMSA be used late in the mercury elimination process, after the connective tissue mercury load has been reduced with DMPS. The standard dose of DMSA is 5-10 mg/kg twice a day for two weeks. The DMSA is then stopped for two weeks and then the cycle is repeated.

I hope this helps.

From what I have learned so far, most LLMD are not familiar with metal detox. I would add - they do not have a clue and really need to educate themselves on the subject.

This was a long time ago, even before I knew much at all about Lyme, and I've learned and changed my approach a lot since then.

I think DMSA is less predictable than DMPS. It did used to clear my brain fog immediately after taking it, like cilantro can do, but I think this was maybe only because it mobilized the mercury from my brain temporarily before sending it back. I'm not sure about this, it's just a guess.

Snowboarder, about the uranium, I'm really not sure. I know the southwest has been a popoular dumping ground for uranium and docs tend to suspect this kind of exposure.

I am not sure I trust the uranium hair levels. I think they may be mistaken cross-reactions to other substances I've been given for radiologic exams. Who knows?, it is kind of scary though, and I'm meeting more and more people with the same high uranium hair levels.

-trevor/oliver

My latest hair analysis showed very low levels of mercury. I have done a lot of detox, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the levels jump back up if I tap into an untouched compartment or deeper layer.
I hope you have lots of success.

The number of pathogens present at any given time in individuals also would play a huge part. I suspect those with long standing lyme or a huge infectious load would more likely have heavy metal problems.

"If high levels of mercury have been detected in the body's cells, two other chelating agents called DMSA (also known as succimer) and DMPS can help pull the mercury out.

If mercury levels are high, either DMSA or DMPS can be used as chelators. Another chelator, which sometimes causes allergic side effects, is known as D-penicillamine (or Depen.)

In addition, the following nutrients are known to chelate mercury in the body: the amino acid L-cysteine, the antioxidant glutathione, the mineral selenium, and vitamin C.

Garlic is rich in the sulfhydryl groups that help chelate mercury. Selenium, in particular, competes with mercury for binding sites in the cell. The other nutrients grab on to mercury and help the cells release it.
http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/121

Re: genes, mutations, DNA...

A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene. Mutations in a gene's DNA sequence can alter the amino acid sequence of the PROTEIN encoded by the gene.

As you and I both know...Mg is needed to MAKE PROTEINS and is capable of DNA REPAIR.

Documentation:

3. At the molecular level, Mg is necessary for protein synthesis

4. The physical integrity of the DNA helix appears to be dependent on Mg2+

a. Mg2+ ion decreases the number DNA replication errors

b. Mg2+ ion stimulates DNA repair

c. Most of the known enzymes involved in repairing DNA lesions are dependent on Mg2+ at varying degrees

http://www.mdschoice.com/elements/elements/major_minerals/magnesium.htm

Question remains: Is there a defective gene or did a pathogen cross the placental barrier and damage the DNA for those with autism, seizures, etc.?

***Chelation wouldn't correct a permanent genetic defect (if autism was "inherited").

From personal experience, I believe it is often the latter (pathogen crossed the barrier).

Most of zinc is tied up in calprotectin inside neutrophils.

The use of other minerals to sub. for the missing one doesn't always work. Depakote (sodium), lithium, gold shots may temporarily help, but they don't address the ROOT of the problem.

B6 won't cure Scurvy. It takes vitamin C.

Bb uses Mg - our supply - for its enzyme reactions. This is according to microbiologist Dr. Gary Kaiser.

The Romanian cancer doctors found a HUGE % decrease in serum Mg levels of early onset lyme patients. They restored THOSE levels WHILE giving abx. to cure.

This combo...Mg (with an acid attached) and acidic abx. = a ton of hydrogen. Little of the right mineral with a ton of acids.

Hydrogen INactivates the enzyme PFK which Bb is dependent on. So do other things. Mg is supposed to do this ie., control PFK.

(Documentation)"We hypothesize that extracellular Mg2+ regulates PFK and glycolysis in these neoplastic cells not by entering the cytosol but by a specific interaction with the plasma membrane."

PMID: 1832860

I believe restoring the missing mineral as fast as possible is MOST beneficial and protective.

Yes, I understand what Dr. Perricone (Harvard teacher at one time) is accomplishing with his diet and supplements to "reverse aging" ie., heal the mitochondria.

Disease and aging are caused by mitochondrial damage. This is greatly speeded up if we are Mg deficient. Stress, drinking water full of fluoride, junk food, etc. all deplete this mineral (Mg) above all others.

Depleting Mg (and Ca) = less antibodies, healthy ones, to fight the onslaught of pathogens we come into contact with every second.

You cannot hold onto Ca or K without Mg...eventually. When K goes out of balance, that disrupts the Na-K pump. Mg, and only the electrolyte Mg, is needed to make ATP (other ingredients are also needed, but only the mineral Mg).

There is an astounding rapid development of cancer in mice when they are Mg deficient. Giving Mg halted the development of the tumors.

Once more...Mg controls PFK. This is, in my opinion, a faster, safer route to take.

Restore the mineral that has been greatly depleted.

You will note that Dr. B suggests Mag Tab SR in his list of suggested supplements. To my knowledge he does not suggest extra zinc, extra calcium, extra sodium, or extra potassium.

Surely he had a reason for this selection.

Does insurance cover this chelation therapy? If not, how expensive is it?

There is most definitely a metals/minerals + microbe problem. Good subject heading. (Not just heavy metals/minerals, but the essential ones as well.)

Trevor, I am happy you are feeling better and hope you are now on the way to recovery.
Watch out for trucks ;-)

We should NOT be putting them in our mouths.

I believe they BECOME a major problem WHEN we have a serious chronic infection.

Acids (lots) react with metals/minerals to produce hydrogen. CoQ10 carries hydrogen INTO the cells. When one is acidic due to the toxins released (when the cell walls are destroyed), I'm not surprised that the bad metals are utilized too.

Getting old fillings out takes a SPECIALIST (don't want to let any mercury "loose" in the system) and a TON of money.

I'm trying to find other ways to chelate (remove) these heavy metals that is within the very limited funds of many on this board. I am hoping that with enough Mg, the level of the bad metals (primarily Hg and AL) will not rise.

So far my sister has spent $40,000 (lymph massage, supplements, etc.) out of pocket to fight this disease WITH good insurance.

There are many who are sooooo sick who have limited funds and are not able to get to the very limited specialists who are trained to do this detoxing.

Many years ago, mercury was tried to halt syphilis. Bad idea!

I am very happy you both are on a healing path. Truely.

We have to find a less expensive, faster route to eliminating this infection for the masses. IF someone has gone a long time before diagnosis then certainly addressing heavy metals detoxing along with "traditional" treatment is imperative.

Abxs (co-pays), massages, detoxing, Rife, the tons of supplements, etc. are very costly.

Does Dr. K take insurance? If not, how much does it cost? He is in Washington state, correct?

First, it's important to remember that there are NO mercury elimination agents. There are mobilizers and binders and aminos and minerals and so many other things. DMSA, DMPS, Vit C, GSH, Cystein, etc., will move the mercury out of its place of hiding, HOWEVER, it must then be eliminated. The bonds can be tight between DMSA or DMPS and mercury, say, but they're not tight enough. For example, for a constipated, bed-ridden invalid unfortunately cannnot expect detox. And I do understand that illness can obviate the possibility of undergoing many of the therapies so crucial to detox.

Binders help and many dramatically reduce retoxification via mostly the intestines, but activation of the lymphatic system, sweating, colonics, lots of water, etc. are necessary in addition for faster, more safe and efficient detox.

W. C., I'm not supposed to use his name but you can email me for it, is a naturopath well-versed in all this and he's found that without colonics etc., only 40% of the toxins mobilized are eliminated, whereas with elimination modalities 80%, double, the amount of loosened toxins are removed and not recycled.

Marnie, thank you for your responses and comments, and I hope your sister is making her way towards wellness.

I wish garlic were enough. I agree it's full of great things like selenium, sulfur, antibaterial and antiviral compounds and much more. It's one of my favorite agents, but it's not enough for true detox nor is a diet rich in it prior to mercury accumulation enough to protect you. It's great though; it even protects brain cells from apoptosis, and it's been shown to be more effective than vancomycin (the biggest gun for infection at the ER) for MRSA (methycillin resistant staph aureus).

Second, L-cysteine is good too, and rightly part of many detox regimens. But, too much L-cysteine, or N acetyl cysteine, will shunt mercury to the brain. This is a perfect example of how mobilization is never enough. Yes it moves the mercury out but I think most people would rather let it sit on their kidneys, for example, that eat at their brains. This info is also c/o W.C, ND.

Even just sitting in a sauna for too long or in one that's too hot will moobilize more metals than the body can eliminate. Ergo, those metals that don't leave get redeposited. This info is c/o Dr. K.

Third, zinc will potentiate the deleterious effects of mercury. Again, info c/o Dr. K. I don't know exactly how this ought to modify a detox protocol, but it's important to consider.

Fourth, as regards genetics and detox and autism, it's been found that the APO E alleles are essential genetic determinants of an individual's ability to detox. An abnormality here can result in, for example, an autistic child showing no mercury in the hair, urine, etc. This does NOT mean that that child is not brimming with mercury. It means that child is not eliminating it.

When symptoms of mercury toxicity exist and no mercury elimination is demonstrated, one should look at that individual's mineral profile. If the minerals are out of whack but no mercury shows up, the good possibility exists that the problem is a genetic inability to eliminate. Info c/o the Chemical and Heavy Metal Conference, 2004 and c/o Dr. K.

The above does not mean that a genetic abnormality has to be inherited. Mercury is a teratogen, a carcinogen and a mutagen. While in the womb of a mother full of mercury, the mercury can cause congenital defects. It can also cause genetic defects after the child is born.

Why do Thimerosal-laced vaccinations induce immediate psychosocial pathology in some kids while others may be more OK or may just hold on to the metals for them to wreak havoc later? I don't know for sure. But, there need not be a genetically predetermined elimination deficiency for significant CNS pathology. Further, if there is, was the kid conceived with it? Did it express during gestation? Did it emerge after birth?

Fifth, metals invite infection. They don't only add to the problem once chronic infection takes hold. Lyme, et. al. are ubiquitous beyond all our imaginations. Dr. S in Penn says Lyme is found in cow's milk because pasteurization temperatures are too low to kill it. Also, read "Lab 257". With this and the synergism between metals and microbes in mind, the which came first dilemma aquires new meaning.

That'll have to be it for now. I'll be back later to elaborate in greater detail. Thanks again Marnie for your posts. And I don't know if Dr. K takes any insurance at all, but he doesn't take mine. Email me if you'd like to discuss his costs.

OK then best of health to everyone,

trevor/oliver

When metals are present in a person, the body adapts to an otherwise deadly heavy metal environment by actively cultivating and fostering the survival of bacteria and fungi that can bind the toxic metals.

The above is known as the "K Axiom". The info in this post has been taken and paraphrased directly from an article written by Dr. K about eight years ago.

It's been observed repeatedly that chronic infections will resolve following aggressive, and of course intelligent, mercury detox.

Evidence of the metal binding abilities of certain microorganisms has been demonstrated by the mining industry. To collect greater quantities of metals, "biomasses" (sludges of microorganisms that will accumulate metals in their outer cell walls) are sprayed into mine shafts and then washed out and collected on ion exchange membranes.

So, since mercury asphyxiates cells and can cause cell death, the immune system actively cultivates fungi and bacteria that can bind metals, the result being the lesser of two harms. This alliance permits the cells to breathe and the organism to survive for longer than it would otherwise. The organism must feed the microorganisms as well as deal with their toxic metabolic wastes in order to maintain its metal-bound microbial defense forces.

Based on this, one can see that healing crises from die off are often manifestations of acute heavy metal toxicity resulting from the release of metals from the cell walls of microbes.

The above info was all borrowed and paraphrased from an article written by Dr. K.

I hope this helps further explain the nature and clinical significance of the partnership between metals and microbes,

trevor/oliver