From HARALD HAMRE
Peter Behan suggests that heavy metals and other factors may cause enzyme malfunction, thus disrupting cellular energy production, leading to CFS/ME. Mercury and other heavy metals are well-known enzyme inhibitors, and the WHO consider dental amalgam to be the single largest source of mercury exposure for the general population. In animal experiments, placement of amalgam fillings induces a significant increase in bacteria resistant to mercury and antibiotics in the oral and intestinal flora, and a substantial reduction in kidney function, indicating toxic or immunological effects.
Even other metals used in dental restorations may induce deviant immunological reactions. Employing a recently developed in vitro assay for detection of metal-specific memory lymphocytes, a Swedish group found high lymphocyte reactivity towards mercury, gold, palladium and also lead in up to 55 per cent of the individuals tested in a group of CFS patients. Thirty-six of the patients who tested positive had their metal restorations removed, and 28 (77 per cent) of them have reported health improvement.
Thus CFS/ME may be linked to heavy metal exposure from dental restorations.
Harald Hamre Oslo, Norway
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