Metal Toxicity and Penicillamine

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Metal Toxicityby Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, Ph.D.In the late phase of the Roman Empire, it was considered a privilege of thereigning aristocracy to drink out of lead cups and many of the water linesin the city of Rome were made out of lead pipes. It took several hundredyears before the physicians of the time established the link between mentalillness -- affecting mostly the aristocracy -- and the contamination of thedrinking water with lead.In the 1700s, the use of mercury for the treatment of both acute and chronicinfections gained favor and again, it took decades before the neuro-toxicand immuno-suppressive effects of mercury were well documented within themedical community.In the time of Mozart, who died of mercury toxicity during a course oftreatment for syphilis, any pathologist in Vienna was familiar with thesevere grayish discoloration of organs in those who died from mercurytoxicity and other organ-related destructive changes caused by mercury.In the case of mercury, the therapeutic dilemma is most clear. Mercury canbe used to treat infections, but -- not unlike chemotherapy -- also causes adifferent type of illness and may kill the patient.The same is true for most metals; small doses may have a therapeutic effectfor a short term, life saving direction, but may also cause their ownillness.Most metals have a very narrow therapeutic margin before their neuro-toxic(and in some cases carcinogenic effect), outweigh the benefits. Toxic metalsmay be fungicidal and bactericidal, maybe even virucidal, but many foreigninvaders have the ability to adapt over time to a toxic metal environment ina way that stuns scientists and certainly outpaces the ability of the cellsof a higher organism -- like ours -- to adapt in a similar way.In the long run, the situation looks different. Toxic metals harm the cellsof the body whereas the invading microorganisms can often thrive in a heavymetal environment. Research by Ludwig, Voll and others in Germany and byOmura and myself here in the US, show that microorganisms tend to set uptheir housekeeping in those body compartments that have the highestpollution with toxic metals.The body's own immune cells are incapacitated in those areas whereas themicroorganisms multiply and thrive in an undisturbed way. The teeth,jawbone, Peyers patches in the gutwall, the ground-system (connectivetissue) and the autonomic ganglia are common sites of metal storage and theplace where microorganisms thrive. Furthermore, those bodily areas are alsovasoconstricted and hypoperfused by blood, nutrients and oxygen, whichfoster the growth of anaerobic germs, fungi and viruses.The list of symptoms of mercury toxicity alone, published by DAMS (DentalAmalgam Support Group) includes virtually all illnesses known to humankind.Chronic fatigue, depression and joint pains are the most common on the list.To keep it simple, mercury alone can mimic or cause any illness currentlyknown or at least contribute to it.Modern medicine has taken a giant leap in the past few years through thediscovery and use of the PCR test (polymerase chain reaction). Virtually anyillness seems to be caused or contributed to by a chronic infection. A studyperformed by the VA Administration (published in JADA, April 1998) on 10,000US veterans, showed that most coronary heart disease really started as anendothelial infection and, in most cases was caused by microorganisms fromthe mouth.Another study showed that close to 70% of all TMJ syndromes in women arecaused or contributed to by chlamydia trachomatis. Childhood diabetes isoften caused by either a cytomegalovirus or influenza virus infection.I suggest diagnosing and treating toxic metal residues in the body alongwith the appropriate treatment of the microorganisms. As long ascompartmentalized toxic metals are present in the body, microorganisms havea 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 livingpatient is not easy. Most "scientific" tests are based on grinding up tissueand then examining it with a microscope, spectroscopy or otherlaboratory-based procedures.The most elegant, suitable and easy to learn system is Dr. Yoshiaki Omura'sresonance phenomenon between identical substances. Both his bi-digitalO-ring test or ART (autonomic response testing) are extensions of a regularphysical exam that can be done without any instruments. It is a veryaccurate diagnostic tool and makes it possible to not only diagnose where inthe body which metal is stored, but also helps to predict which metaldetoxifying agent is most suitable to remove the toxic metal from thatparticular body region.The metals found most commonly are:mercuryleadaluminumcadmiumAmong the detoxifying agents most commonly used are DMPS, DMSA, Captomer,D-Penicillamine, I.V. vitamin C, I. V. Gluthathione, Pleo-Chelate,DL-Methionine (Redoxal), branched chain amino acids, Chlorella Pyreneidosa,Chitosan, activated charcoal, cilantro and yellow dock.I have developed non-biochemical approaches and include electromobilization(using the Electro-Bloc), mercury vapor lamp mobilization and others.The approach to treating illness in a way that acknowledges thoseobservations has to include the following:Diagnosing the site of toxic metal compartmentalizationDiagnosing the exact type of metalDetermining the most appropriate and least toxic metal removal agentDetermining other appropriate synergistic methods and agents (i.e., kidneydrainage remedies, blood protective agents -- garlic or vitamin E, agentsthat increase fecal absorption and excretion of mobilized Hg, exercise,lymphatic drainage, etc.)Diagnosing the secondary infectionDetermining an appropriate antibiotic regimen (medical antibiotics,antifungals, antivirals, Enderlein remedies, ozone therapy, etc.)Monitoring the patient carefully form visit to visit to respond quickly tountoward effects most often caused by plugged up exit routes.With this approach, many patients that were chronically ill and did notrespond to other approaches will improve or get well.However, the thoughts expressed thus far do not answer one importantquestion.Why do patients that are exposed to mercury, deposit the toxin in variousareas of their body?Some deposit the mercury in their hypothalamus (and develop multiple hormoneproblems), or in their limbic system (depression). Others deposit it in theadrenals (fatigue), or in the long bones (osteoporosis, leukemia). Some inthe pelvis (interstitial cystitis), in the autonomic and sensory ganglia(chronic pain syndromes); some in the connective tissue (scleroderma,lupus), or in the cranial nerves (tinnitus, cataracts, TMJ problems, loss ofsmell), or in the muscles (fibromyalgia).As you would assume, multiple causes can be identified.Past physical trauma (such as closed head injury) will make the brainsusceptible to becoming a storage site for lead, aluminum and mercury.Food allergies often cause a low-grade encephalitis or joint inflammation,setting up those areas to become targets for toxic deposits.Geopathic stress -- Significant numbers of patients were found sleeping onunderground water lines or too close to electrical equipment. Metalsconcentrate in the body regions most compromised.Scars and other foci can create abnormal electrical signals that can alterthe function of the ANS (autonomic nervous system). The abnormal impulsesoften cause areas of vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion, which again becomemetal storage sites.Structural abnormalities -- TMJ problems and cranio-sacral dysfunctionsoften are responsible for impairment of blood flow and lymphatic drainage inaffected areas.Biochemical deficiencies -- If the patient has a chronic zinc deficiency,the prostate, which has a large turnover of zinc, starts to incorporateother 2-valent metals (such as Hg++, Pb++).Environmental toxicity (solvents, pesticides, wood preservatives, etc.) hasa synergistic effect with most toxic metals. Metals will often accumulate inbody parts that have been chemically injured at a prior time.Unresolved psycho-emotional trauma and unresolved problems in the familysystem.This last cause -- unresolved psycho-emotional trauma -- is by far the mostcommon factor determining where which metal will be stored in the body andwhich infectious agent will thrive in what area of the body. This issue hasbeen underestimated by most, due to a lack of appropriate, quick and precisetherapeutic interventions.