From: Veronica_MacKay@adidam.org
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 2:59 AM
To: Adjodha, Michael E
Subject: Mercury toxicity in mercury dental fillings

Dear Mr. Adjodha of the FDA,

	Thank you for accepting feedback on the neuro-toxicity of mercury
dental fillings. I almost died last year from a couple of mercury
fillings that had been put in my mouth before the age of 18 that had
cracked. I developed numerous serious and debilitating symptoms before
discovering that my symptoms were a direct result of being poisoned by
the mercury in my mouth. Some of my symptoms were Raynaud's disease,
systemic lupus, uruthritis, swollen toungue, palate and gums,
difficulty in concentration, muscle atrophy, periferal neuropathy,
burning stomach, leaky-gut syndrome, acid reflux, weight loss, extreme
exaustion, brain inflammation that made it difficult to rest my head
even on a pillow, loss of appetite, ringing in the ears, dry eyes,
elevated liver enzymes, elevated ANA etc. My entire face and arms up to
my elbows became red and my face also still peels. I have hardly been
able to work and sleeping and eating are a constant problem. I was
literally foaming from the mouth before I realized that my health
problems were a direct result of the mercury dental fillings in my
mouth. A urine test showed that I had a near fatal level of mercury!

	After having all the metal removed from my mouth, I had to travel to
see a Doctor in Texas who specialized in environmental detoxification,
and only since then I have begun to improve. However after about a year
and half, I am still struggling with some of these remaining health
issues caused by the damage of this very poisonous toxic substance.
Overall so far this year attending to this problem has cost me over
$15,000.00, not counting all the work that I have missed.

	So, I implore you to ban mercury dental amalgams now for all people
regardless of age. Mercury is a dangerous neuro-toxin that harms the
brain and nervous system especially, as well as other organs such as
the liver, kidneys and digestive organs. The FDA should order dentists
to inform their patients about the dangers of mercury amalgams, and
should no longer be able to put such a toxic substance into the mouths
of their patients especially now since there are much better
alternatives available. The word "silver fillings" is deceptive.
According to the Townsend Letter for Doctor's and Patiens, there are
numerous serious health conditions associated with mercury exposure.
Mercury lowers zinc levels, which then lowers progesterone and
testosterone levels. Lowered progesterone levles can then lead to
infertility, and PMs problems. It acts as an antibiotic and like
prescription antibiotics, kills good bacteria prompting greater yeast
overgrowth and parasites. Mercury can pass through both the placental
barrier and the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to induce
autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Reactions, also called fight for site, occur when mercury (usually with
a +2 charge) grabs the biological spaces, which should be filled by
necessary minerals. Symptoms that can be caused by a deficiency of
mineral displaced by mercury include:
	Magnesium: irregular heartbeat, receding gums, jumping legs syndrome,
anxiety and panic disorders, depression, low tolerance to stress,
		asthma, headaches etc. 
	Iron: anemia
	Copper: anemia, thyroid dysfunction, impaired digestion
	Zinc: anorexia nervosa, loss of taste and smell, loss of appetite, low
libido, PMS
	Iodine: thyroid dysfunction
Mercury combines with bile and can cause bile from the gallbladder to
become more alkaline, providing a favorable environment for parasites.
These parasites can plug up the hepatic or bile duct so that needed
digestive and other enzymes from the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas
are not released. Gallbladder function then suffers. Mercury also
creates a lower body temperature which has often led to mistakenly been
given thyroid hormone replacement to take care of the symptoms. 

Sincerely,
Veronica MacKay
901 Second Street, Suite A,
Encinitas, California 92024