The following symptoms have been noted in individuals know to be lead poisoned:
General Symptoms of Lead Poisoning In Children and Adults:
- Stomach aches, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting
- Persistent, unexplained fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Higher rates of tooth decay
Behavioral Symptoms of Lead Poisoning In Children
- Irritability or aggressiveness
- Hyperactivity, being easily distracted, impulsiveness
- Learning problems
- Lack of interest in play
- Loss of appetite
Behavioral Symptoms of Lead Poisoning In Adults
- Irritability
- Unexplained changes in mood or personality
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Inability to concentrate
- Memory loss
Overview of Mercury and Lead Poisoning
Everyday our bodies are constantly exposed to an onslaught of various environmental toxins, including lead and mercury, which do not naturally occur in the body and are highly toxic. Lead and mercury, known as heavy metals, interfere with how your nerves communicate and are the two most common toxic heavy metals found in people. Mercury is considered to be the second most toxin substance on the planet (uranium is #1) and the negative effects of lead exposure are well documented.
Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a compound that was approved by the FDA in the 1960’s to remove (kelation) heavy metals from the body, and is the preferred agent for the kelation of heavy metals in both adults and children. It is also known as succimer and is sold as a prescription drug under the trade name Chemet. It should be noted that Chemet contains sucralose, a known neuro-toxin, and something you probably don’t want to give your child. DMSA, which has a somewhat strong sulfur smell, is a chemical that is particularly suited to kelate (remove or excrete) mercury and lead from the human body, as well as over 15 other heavy metals.
There are several other kelation agents but DMSA has so far as been proven to be the safest and most effective.
Proof That DMSA Removes Lead and Helps With Lead Poisoning Symptoms
The following are actual patient results of a 46 year old female, which are from an independent lab called DoctorsData.
Note the incredible drop in the levels of mercury and lead! DMSA absolutely does remove Lead from the human body.
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| Urine test done BEFORE the start of DMSA treatment. | Urine test three months AFTER the start of DMSA treatment. |
This patient is only part way through her lead removal treatment. Her levels are dropping quickly and soon she will have little to no lead left in her body. Also note that tin was completely removed from her and her level of thallium was decreased along with cadmium and arsenic. DMSA is non-selective, and it grabs any heavy metals that are in your body and removes them. If you have more than 2 of the lead poisoning symptoms listed above, you might want to investigate further and consider DMSA.
How Did I Get Lead In My Body?
There are several possible ways that lead got into your body, and the more common exposures are discussed below. Please note that there is no safe levels for lead in your body.
Our parents were part of the “Lead Generation.” We call it the “Lead Generation” because lead was found in many everyday items such as:
- paint
- lead pipes in old homes
- gasoline
- dishes
- toys from China
- candy from Mexico
- children’s jewelry
- canned food
Important Lead Facts
- Lead is one of the most prominent metals found in our bodies.
- It takes 4 generations to eliminate the exposure of Lead that is passed down through In Vitro (passed from mother to baby).
- Lead is particularly toxic to children. Chronic and acute lead exposure negatively impacts their growing nervous systems and is linked to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Hyperactive Disorders.
- If Lead is in your body (and it is), you need to get it out. DMSA is able to effectively and safely kelate lead from the human body.
DMSA has been shown to be safe for use in children. It is recommended that the 24 hour urine challenge should be done before and after a DMSA kelation program. During the Urine Challenge, DMSA is used as the provoking agent to measure the level of lead in the body.
Lead has also been reported to be present in a variety of different working locations such as mines and smelting plants. Even some cosmetics such as facial powders made outside of the USA may contain lead.
DMSA Kelation
The chemical process behind how DMSA works to kelate heavy metals such as mercury and lead from the body is somewhat technical and beyond the scope of this article. The basic mechanism is that DMSA has receptor sites that the heavy metals bind to. New research suggests the following:
- Heavy metals reside inside the body’s cell but DMSA cannot enter the cells.
- Glutathione (the body’s natural kelator) which resides inside the cell, pushes the metals out, which then is picked up by DMSA and excreted.
- Naturally occurring glutathione levels are 100 higher inside the cell than outside, but glutathione supplements only circulate around the outside of the cell and are not effective in increasing heavy metal kelation. N-AcetylCysteine (NAC) is a chemical that allows your body to produce it’s own glutathione, which is why it’s found in the DMSA Synergy product.
DMSA should be taken in “on again” and “off again” cycles, ideally 3 days on and 11 days off, so the body can regenerate it’s glutathione levels. The fastest and safest way to use DMSA to kelate heavy metals from your body is three days on and 11 days off.
DMSA and the Blood Brain Barrier
As previously stated, unlike heavy metals, DMSA can NOT cross the blood brain barrier. While one study exists with lab rats wherein the DMSA did cross the blood brain barrier, the animals were so toxic that their normal functioning were greatly impaired and the results have never been duplicated. Repeated tests have shown that DMSA must be taken in conjunction with alpha-lipoic acid to cross the blood brain barrier. Once you have kelated the heavy metals from your body (know as ‘lowering your body burden’) you should then add alpha-lipoic acid with your DMSA to pull the mercury and other metals from your brain.
DMSA is taken in capsule form. Other competing forms of kelation, namely ETDA (suppositories) and DMPS (intraveniously) are more dangerous and less effective. DMSA is thought to remove small amounts of beneficial minerals, therefore a vitamin and mineral supplement such as a high quality multi-vitamin should be taken in conjunction with DMSA.
