Re: Zinc, how to bind mercury and DMSA for copper toxicity

Firstly zinc, this is recommended 3-4 times a day at around 50mg by Andy however this seems contradictory as zinc will just surely displace mercury, not bind too tightly and re-solubise, much like selenium?

I have tried doses of high zinc around 45mg in total spread across the day i.e 15mg 3 times a day. This is as high as I could go without getting some pretty serious lower back pain and flare ups of symptoms, especially acne.

---If you don't tolerate it keep the dose at a level where you do.

I have read through the forums pretty thoroughly through the Yahoo forum for Andy regarindg selenium and whetehr or not I should be taking it. I had a test done for selenium status via glutathioen peroxidase some two years ago. It came back very low, so I intialy took around 500mcg of selenium for 2 months and have been on a maintenance dose of approx 200mcg. What are your thoughts here on selenium seeing as I already have low glutathione peroxidase?

---Selenium is suggested but certainly not necessary. 500mcg is too much selenium I would lay off of it or reduce to dose to 100mcg for awhile.

Also regarding NAC, my glutathione is low, so I'm not sure if I should be taking it, as it does contribute to symptoms. I guess milk thistle and sulfur foods increase glutathione though...I eat both!

---Most mercury toxic people have low glutathione. Have you had your cysteine status checked and know it is low? Otherwise you should avoid sulfur foods and supplements.

Regarding testing for heavy metals I have just had both a provocation test with DMSA and collecting urine and also a hair anayliss. What are your general thought of both? And what should I expect to see with copper toxcitiy and/or mercury? I have suspected either/or mercury and copper toxcitity for some years.

---Hair test is the best. With mercury your hair will have a derangement of minerals. With copper your hair copper will be elevated.

If copper turns out to be high do I take the same precautions as with mercury such as upping the Vit C and Vit E/A etc before chelation?

---If you have mercury and copper you will need to chelate and also take zinc/molybdenum to reduce copper levels.

Lastly regarding the ALA, zinc and DMSA regime for mercury, when should you start taking ALA? Before or after or during the DMSA and at what dosage? Also are we taking zinc continulaly daily and before, after or during DMSA? I have not yet started chelating with DMSA. I have only really taken methionine, NAC, Iodine, selenium and zinc previosuly, however these are of course not proper chelators as I understand now.

---ALA can be used as long as there has been no exposure to mercury for 3 months. Take zinc every day on and off chelation. I would suggest 15-25mg twice daily.

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