A Case Study of Heavy Metals Detox

Janet, a 50 year-old woman, came to see Dr. Hibbs complaining of terrible “brain-fog” and fatigue. Her short-term memory was shot and she had been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Dr. Hibbs put her on a metals detox program. After six months, she had her normal energy levels back, and cognitive functions restored. Such are the dramatic results that can be achieved when the body’s accumulated heavy metals are addressed.

Facts About Metals

Lead poisoning is one of the foremost environmental health threats to the United States. Almost a half million children – 2.2 percent of all preschoolers – have enough lead in their blood to reduce intelligence and attention span, cause learning disabilities, and permanently damage a child’s brain and nervous system.

Washington is in the second highest regional quintile in a ranking of hotspots for lead hazards in housing.

Symptoms of childhood lead poisoning can be difficult or impossible to recognize. These effects can include reduced IQ and attention span, hyperactivity, reading and learning difficulties and hearing loss. A test to determine a child’s blood level is usually the only way to know if a child is exposed to lead.

The definition of toxic lead levels in the United States is now at 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood, which is one-one hundredth of the CDC’s definition of an acceptable blood level 50 years ago. In Scandinavia, the acceptable level right now is 7, says Hibbs. The CDC has announced its intention to lower the United States’ number soon, but it won’t be low enough for optimal prevention, since even at level 1 or 2 a reduction in cognitive functioning can be measured, according to Hibbs.

The amount of mercury in a standard vaccine panel (until 4-5 years ago) dramatically exceeded the World Health Organization’s standard for yearly maximum exposure.

Dental fillings contain about 50 percent mercury, and the gradual vaporizing of the volatile mercury component is what causes the toxic exposure. People who frequently grind their teeth or chew gum are at higher risk of the mercury being released into their bodies.

Sources: John Hibbs, ND; Centers for Disease Control; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) www.scorecard.org/env-releases/lead