DMSA is available for prescription under a general FDA approval, though its primary approval is for eliminating a body burden of lead, not mercury.

Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in very small amounts in potatoes and other foods, and is available over-the-counter as a food supplement.

In doses able to heavily influence the excretion of mercury, all of these compounds have anecdotal problem reports. One reason that seems likely is the further disregulation of important trace minerals caused by these powerful chelating agents. Dithiols pull strongly on essential minerals and not just heavy metals like mercury and lead.

You should know there is an ongoing controversy regarding the safety of dithiol chelators and the use of DMPS in particular. Visit Jana's DMPS Backfire website for information you may not recieve at a DMPS chelation clinic.

It has been our observation that people who are on a more sure metabolic footing nutritionally seem to cope with chelation drugs better.

The safest strategy we know for mercury detoxification is to rely upon the body's natural glutathione pathway. This strategy is based on chronic use of 3-5 grams of Glutathione Precursor amino acids per day for periods of months. Glutathione's role is detoxification, blunting the toxicity of mercury, and excretion of mercury out of the body. Glutathione excretion of mercury is slower than with chelating agents, but beleived to be much safer providing a person with the other benefits of increased glutathione in the process.

For more aggressive strategies in enhancing mercury excretion we strongly suggest you consult a physician with a proven record of success in chelating heavy metals while avoiding "backfires", restoring their patients to a more normal health.

http://www.cfsn.com/detox.html

	Addictions Alcohol-related Problems Alpha-lipoic acid should not be given in high doses to patients suspected of having a thiamine deficiency unless the thiamine deficiency is also corrected. Individuals who may be deficient in vitamin B1 (such as alcoholics) should supplement vitamin B1 along with alpha-lipoic acid. Cigarette Smoke Damage Aging Premature/Signs of Aging Cataracts It has been reported that lipoic acid has been shown to be helpful for cataracts. Some doctors caution that with a high body level for mercury, you risk moving mercury INTO the lens and brain rather than out, so lipoic acid should only be used if mercury levels are known to be low. Autoimmune Multiple Sclerosis Circulation Atherosclerosis Recycles vitamins E and C when they've been used. Dosage: 50mg bid. Bruising Susceptibility Environment / Toxicity Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness) Sources of sulfur such as alpha lipoic acid, MSM and garlic are helpful for protection against heavy metals in general and specifically useful in mercury toxicity. Alpha lipoic acid should not be used alone, as it only mobilizes mercury with a weak bond. Without additional chelators present, such as DMPS or DMSA, the mercury may just redistribute elsewhere in the body instead of being removed. Heavy Metal Toxicity Sources of sulfur such as alpha lipoic acid, MSM and garlic are helpful for protection against heavy metals in general and specifically useful in mercury toxicity. Alpha lipoic acid should not be used alone, as it only mobilizes mercury with a weak bond. Without additional chelators present, such as DMPS or DMSA, the mercury may just redistribute elsewhere in the body instead of being removed. Lab Values Low T-Helper (CD4) Cell Level Metabolic Syndrome X Numerous additional studies have indicated that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus which follows syndrome X. ALA stimulates increased glucose utilization in muscle cells and significantly reduces human insulin resistance/sensitivity. This process may occur via an insulin signaling pathway. ALA also helps to prevent free radical cellular damage caused by elevated insulin levels. Organ Health Diabetes Type II Numerous additional studies have indicated that ALA is useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It stimulates increased glucose utilization in muscle cells and significantly reduces human insulin resistance. 600mg of alpha lipoic acid tid was found to improve polyneuropathy symptoms in patients with type II diabetes. A maintenance dose as low as 100mg tid may be sufficient to provide benefits. [Diabet Med 1999;16; pp.1040-1043] Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement Alpha-lipoic acid has been used very successfully as a therapeutic agent in a number of conditions relating to liver disease, including alcohol-induced damage, mushroom poisoning, metal intoxification and carbon tetrachloride poisoning. Glaucoma 150mg per day improves visual function in people with both stage I and stage II glaucoma. Hepatitis Alpha lipoic acid is given in a dose of 300mg at least twice per day for hepatitis B or C. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), silymarin, and selenium have been used in combination with success in reducing symptoms and elevated liver enzyme levels (though the viral load was not substantially reduced).

Alpha Lipoic Acid can help prevent the following:

	Aging Parkinson's Disease Increases glutathione levels. See the link between Parkinson's Disease and Glutathione. Circulation Stroke

http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T76343.html#G636

THERE HAS BEEN MUCH TALK ABOUT R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA), MANY CLAIM IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN PLAIN ALA, FOR MERCURY REMOVAL:

Biosynergy's pure natural R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA), and active isomer of Lipoic Acid, is easily synthesized and metabolized by the body. R-ALA is 2 times more effective than regular (RS) Alpha Lipoic Acid and is a key component of mitochondrial dehydrogenase, which may help to slow the natural aging process in animals. Alpha lipoic acid is known as the "universal antioxidant" because of its unique solubility in both water and fat. It has the ability to conserve and prolong the life of vitamins C & E in the body, increasing their effectiveness. Alpha lipoic acid is also an excellent metal detoxifier, particularly for mercury and cadmium, which it binds to and neutralizes for excretion.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

• Currently used in Europe to treat peripheral nerve degeneration (neuropathy) resulting from diabetes.
• May play a role in controlling blood sugar.
• May help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
• Important for the production of energy inside the cell by utilizing sugar to produce energy contributing to mental and physical stamina.
• Neutralizes free radicals. Unlike Vitamin C which is water soluble and Vitamin E which is fat soluble, alpha Lipoic Acid is both water and fat soluble which allows it to enter all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals.
• May help reduce LDL (bad) blood cholesterol.
• May help improve memory.
• Chelates (grabs) heavy metals and binds them reducing these oxidants from blood system.
• Inhibits Glycation which is responsible for accelerated tissue damage.
• Recycles and enhances the effects of other antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
• Significantly increase survival in rats that have suffered a stroke if given before the stroke occurs.
• Prevents tissue damage and death after a heart attack.
• Not only does it act as an antioxidant itself, it also stimulates production of glutathione (an antioxidant produced by the body), giving cells a double dose of antioxidant.
• Easily absorbed when taken orally and once inside cells is quickly converted to its most potent form, dihydrolipoic acid.
• Because both alpha lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid are antioxidants, their combined actions give them greater antioxidant potency than any natural antioxidant now known.
• Important for regulating aspects of the immune system, in particular immune cells called T-lymphocytes.
• May be useful in relieving syptoms of stomatopyrosis, or Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS).

Suggested dosage for R-Alpha Lipoic Acid is 100 mg two to three times daily.

http://www.biosynergy.com/RALA.htm

Torrie