Health, Muscle & Mercury – Elimination

By Wolfgang Unsoeld

*Consult with your health practitioner prior to implementing any supplement program*

How Do I Get Rid of It?

Heavy metals get detoxified in two phases:

1. Mobilize the heavy metals from their storage sites.

2. Eliminate them for the body.

The second phase is the most challenging, because there are numerous methods for mobilizing heavy metals, however, only a few for elimination.  Elimination is key, as just mobilizing them, will lead to their redistribution, which may lead to more severe symptoms that before.

Elimination

Chlorella algae is the chief elimination agent. One reason is  its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color and has a high affinity for heavy metals.  Over 80% of heavy metals get eliminated through the intestines and this is where chlorella does the main part of its job.  In the intestines, chlorella binds to toxins, preventing their mobilization to other parts of the body.  Additionally, chlorella cleanses the intestinal wall of other toxins such as mold and unhealthy gut bacteria, allowing healthy gut bacteria to flourish.

Additionally:

Chlorella also recycles metallothionein, a protein made in the liver, that mobilizes heavy metals.

Chlorella is the only plant source rich in methylated B12, which supports methylation and mobilizes heavy metals.

Chlorella contains magnesium malate, which chelates aluminum.

There are two forms of chlorella: pyrenoisdosa and vulgaris.  There are key differences between the two forms and having a skilled and experienced muscle testing practitioner to determine which form you need, is vital.

Chlorella vulgaris has a high affinity for lead, especially if located in the lead hotspots, which are the occipital lobe and liver.

A good starting dosage for chlorella is twenty tabs, three times daily.

Common detoxification side effects include: nausea, headaches and diarrhea.  To decrease the severity of the side effects, increase elimination by increasing the dosage of chlorella.

What Else?

Andrographis is an antiviral/microbial herb which up-regulates metallothionein production.

Homeopathics are inferior as a sole detoxifying agent, since they only mobilize heavy metals.

High levels of various forms of magnesium are required, mainly to support the liver, which is the main filtering system of the body.

Magnesium bisglycinate is preferred by the liver

Magnesium aspartate increases cell membrane health and permeability, which facilitates removal of toxins.

High levels of B vitamins and other methyl donors are required to ensure proper methylation, mobilization and excretion of heavy metals.

Modified citrus pectin (Pectasol is the only brand recommended) is one of the best sources of fiber, especially for the elimination of mercury from the microvilli of the intestines.  Other forms of fiber such as psyllium husk, rice bran, chia seeds also support detoxification.

Vitamin C, should never be taken at the same time as chlorella, as it unbinds mercury form chlorella and increases retoxification.

A high quality multi-vitamin should be taken at all times, ideally, a few weeks prior to beginning a detoxification program, to decrease the severity of side effects.  The product of choice is MuIti Intense from Charles Poliquin.

Multi Intense tablets are coated copper chlorophyllin, a form of chlorophyllin which binds to petroleum based products in the colon.

Fish oil, besides its numerous beneficial health advantages, supports detoxification by increasing microcirculation, promoting cell membrane health.

Yin R-ALA, also from Charles Poliquin, strongly supports detoxification while minimizing side effects.

Optimal extracellular electrolyte content speeds up toxin mobilization.  To achieve optimal, alkaline pH levels, consume PHyto Px, Primal Clear Ph and water with fresh lime juice.  Napping after lunch, will help as well.

A diet high in protein, healthy fats and vegetables is crucial and will minimize side effects suck as nausea, headaches and diarrhea.

Amino acids from the proteins you consume will not only support your immune system and liver, but the sulfur compounds that bind to heavy metals for excretion.

L-glutamine, aloe vera and prebiotics will ensure GI tract integrity, ensuring proper heavy metal excretion into the small and large intestines.

What about Cilantro?

If you’re typed “heavy metal detoxification” into any search engine, chances are you’ve come across numerous sources recommending cilantro.  Unfortunately, cilantro is not a chelation agent.  Its main task, is to open the blood brain barrier.  It utilized incorrectly, it will lead to a redistribution of heavy metals into the brain, increasing the risk of diseases tremendously.

The use of cilantro is recommended once the toxic body burden has been eliminated.

A Case Study

Client: Male, amateur athlete. 28 years old.   Height: 179 cm. Weight: 73.5 kg.  Body fat: 15.8%.

Complaints: Low attention span, trouble concentrating, strength plateau in the gym and poor training recovery.

Supplement protocol:

3 x 25 tablets chlorella pyrenoidosa

3 x 4 tablets Multi Intense Iron Free

8 capsules Ubermag 1E – with dinner

6 capsules Yin R-ALA – with dinner

4 tablets Metallic Detox – with breakfast for the first two weeks

1 tablespoon Omega 3 liquid – breakfast

10 capsules D3 Excellence – twice a week

Client kept his training and food the same as before the detox. He trained four times weekly, for one hour sessions.  Nutrition plan was gluten-free.  Breakfast was meat or eggs.

After eight weeks, client increased bodyweight to 79.9 kg and reduced body fat to 8.4%.

Additionally, his sleep, attention span, mental clarity and energy levels improved tremendously.

Far Infrared Saunas

Far infrared sauna therapy is extremely effective for removing mercury through the skin. It does this through the process of sweating.  Once the blood vessels dilate, allowing blood to flow to the surface of the skin, the sweat flushes toxins from the blood and is excreted through sweat glands.

Far infrared saunas have shown to penetrate skin tissue up to 3 cm.

When utilizing far infrared saunas, wipe your skin frequently to avoid re-uptake of the toxins through the skin and lungs.

Additionally, ensure to always supplement with fiber such as chlorella or Pectasol, to ensure proper excretion of heavy metals that have mobilized into the bloodstream.

Three Reasons Why Heavy Metal detoxification Make You Stronger and Leaner

1. Insulin sensitivity: Insulin receptors are made from amino acids, especially the sulfur containing amino acid cysteine. Imagine the insulin receptor as a crane in a harbor, that loads glucose from the dock – the bloodstream – and unloads it onto a ship – the muscle. Now mercury attaches to that crane and demobilizes. Which means  glucose gets transported into the muscle at a smaller rate. This will translate to difficulty in gaining lean muscle mass and reducing body fat stores, despite adhering to a low carbohydrate diet.

2. Metabolic rate: As a defense mechanism, the body reduces body temperature to reduce or slow down the toxic effect of heavy metals.  This reduction in body temperature leads to a considerable drop in metabolism.  The lower your metabolic rate, the slower your gains in the gym and in the mirror.

3. Muscle recruitment: One of mercury’s main effects of the central nervous system, is the destruction of tubulin, an integral part of the signal transmission of nerves.  In simple terms, the greater the damage mercury has produced to your nervous system, the less ability you will have in recruiting muscle fibers.

Mercury can also reduce levels of acetylcholine, the main neurotransmitter of the central nervous system and necessary for signal transmission at the neuromuscular junction – from nerve fibers to muscle fibers. Which is obviously essential for the recruitment of muscle fibers.

Number One Rule of Toxicology

You have to remove the source of the toxicity

If you have amalgam fillings, consult with a biological dentist, one who is skilled in their proper removal.

What Your Dentist Needs to Know about Heavy Metals

Amalgam fillings consist of 50% mercury

Mercury vapors evaporate daily in small dosages and accumulate in the tissue.

Mercury is the most dangerous neurotoxin known to man.

Improper removal of amalgam fillings will cause acute toxicity and side effects.

When removing amalgam fillings, detoxification remedies must be utilized pre-, intra- and post drilling.

The best agents for dealing with acute toxicity due to improper amalgam filling removal, are chlorella algae, oral DMSA and intravenous vitamin C.

Dental assistants have the highest rate infertility rates of all medical professions.

The mouth is a great mirror for your overall health. In Chinese Medicine there are 4 main areas on the body that mirror every organ and gland – the mouth is one of them. That means you have to get out the toxins of your mouth to get them out of your body.

Three Take Home Points

1. If you have a toxic heavy metal burden, detoxify

2. Every person on the planet is exposed to heavy metal toxins

3. If you have a toxic heavy metal burden, detoxify

Acknowledgments go to Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, who has incorporated mercury detoxification as one of his main treatment modalities in his practice for over 25 years, with an outstanding success rate, for answering my numerous questions.   I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Dominik Nischwitz for contributing to this article.

Health, Muscle & Mercury – The facts

By Wolfgang Unsoeld

Mercury: The Worst of The Worst

1. Mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive metal on the planet.

2. There is no safe level of mercury in humans.

3. Mercury shuts down your body’s ability to defend itself from heavy metal toxicity, by preventing the elimination of ALL heavy metals.

The Two Main Sources of Mercury Exposure

1. Amalgam fillings: your own and those of your mother’s

2. Vaccines

Amalgam fillings contain about 50% mercury, making it the #1 source of exposure for humans.  The main concern, is the mercury which continuously leeches out of the fillings.  This leaching of mercury vapors gases is accelerated by chewing gum, drinking hot beverages and eating acidic foods.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that mercury from amalgam fillings of pregnant women, has accumulated in the brain, kidneys and liver of their fetuses.  The mercury exposure from the mother continues after birth through breast-feeding.  It is estimated that a fetus absorbs up to 75% of the mother’s toxicity.

Thimerosal, an inorganic mercury compound, is utilized as a preservative in vaccinations and pharmaceutical products.

What About Fish?

While a valid concern, the amount of mercury found in seafood, pales in comparison to the mercury exposure from amalgam fillings.  For example, eight amalgam fillings excrete approximately 14-23 mcg of mercury with a twenty-four hour period.  Whereas a single serving of fish, contains 0.5-1.5 mcg of mercury.

Additionally, it is necessary to consider the bioavailability of the types of mercury from fish vs. amalgam fillings.

The mercury found in fish is mostly absorbed in the intestines, with an absorption rate of 7%.  However, mercury vapors from amalgam fillings has a bioavailability of 78%.

Mercury and Your Body

The human body has an innate ability to protect itself from toxic exposure.  When experiencing a toxic load, the body normally stores toxins, including mercury, in metabolically inactive tissue: body fat stores and fibrous tissue.  But for numerous reasons, such as genetics and developmental factors, toxins can spill over into organs, mainly the brain, kidneys and liver.

Additional Health Concerns:

Mercury destroys the blood brain barrier, a physical and chemical protective barrier, which prevents substances in the blood stream from entering the brain.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt MD, one of the leading heavy metal toxicity and detoxification experts, has stated he has yet to encounter a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, or Parkinson’s disease, without possessing a high level of heavy metal toxicity.

One way on which mercury depresses the immune system is by damaging heathy intestinal flora.  This disymbiosis can eventually lead to antibiotic resistance or leaky gut syndrome.

Mercury, known as the “great imitator,” is extremely difficult to diagnose, because it mimics symptoms of every disease known to man.

Mercury alters the methylation cycle, which is the “on/off switch” that enables the human body to adapt and respond to environmental changes. This cycle is the most important pathway for disease prevention.

Mercury, when stored in large quantities in muscle tissue, can leads to the development of trigger points and phantom pain.

Heavy Metal Toxicity Test

Blood, Stool, Urine: poor indicators of toxicity levels because mercury is primarily stored in bodily tissue and therefore cannot be accurately measured by blood, stool or urine testing.

Hair Analysis: a useful tool for determining the efficacy or progress of a heavy metal detoxification.  However, while there currently isn’t any heavy metal test that determine total body toxicity, hair analysis can reveal the amount of heavy metals that have ben circulating in your bloodstream approximately three months prior to testing.  Hair analysis is a valid test for acute toxicity, but not for determining total body burden.

What About the DMPS Challenge Test?

DMPS is the most commonly utilized intravenous chelation agent.  DMPS binds to heavy metals and then aids in their excretion from the body through the kidneys.  However, DMPS does has its setbacks.  Following a DMPS challenge test, the patient’s urine is collected for a twenty-four hour period and is then analyzed to determine heavy metal levels.  Issues arise however, when you realize that urine, is not the body’s preferred pathway of excreting heavy metals.  Additionally, once your kidneys are flooded with a certain level of mercury, they become inflamed, which shuts down the elimination process.  This can result in a false negative test result for heavy metals, despite carrying a toxic load.

While intravenous DMPS is one of the preferred methods of heavy metal detoxification, it mainly chelates mercury from the endothelium. And does not cross the blood brain barrier, making it ineffective for detoxifying the brain.

Mercury and Your Hormones

Your hypothalamus and pituitary glands, with their high fatty acid content, attracts lipophilic heavy metals such as mercury.  Since these organs are the main players in the endocrine system, any disruption in their functioning, will disrupt the production and functioning of all your hormones. Since both glands are located outside the blood barrier brain, they are even more vulnerable to mercury damage.

Mercury and Glutathione 

Glutathione, the “master antioxidant,” is the main antioxidant in the body.  The primary function of glutathione is protecting cells against the destructive effects of free radicals and detoxifying substances such as environmental pollutants.  Mercury, however, disrupts glutathione production, leaving individual cells defenseless, allowing it to enter the cell’s nucleus.  Once mercury enters the nucleus, cellular energy production ceases and the cell dies.

Interesting Facts

Amalgam fillings have been banned in Russia for the past twenty years, but are still utilized in the U.S.

Nigeria, possessing one of the highest rising rates of autism. One major reason is that the vaccinations used have a much higher content of the ethylmercury containing preservative thimerosal due to the climate in africa.

The highest suicide rate among medical professionals belongs to dentists, whose profession requires them to be one of the largest users of inorganic mercury.  Handling amalgam fillings, exposes dentists to mercury vapor, which explains why their mercury toxic levels average at least two times that of controls.

Thyroid issues? Mercury toxicity must be suspected, as it can induce both hyper and hypothyroidism, the difference is in the dosage.  Large dosages hyperthyroidism, while smaller dosages induce hypothyroidism by interfering with the manufacture of T4 and the conversion of T4 to T3.

Electromagnetic fields potentiate mercury toxicity.

Testosterone has a synergistic effect with mercury, helping to explain why  autism averages a 4.3:1 male-to-female ratio.

Zinc has a synergistic and potentiating effect with mercury.  Zinc should never be supplemented while undergoing a heavy metal detoxification.

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, also potentiates the damage induced by mercury.

The Cat and Dog Story

The quote by Aristotle “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” holds especially true for heavy metal toxicity.  While individual heavy metals will wreak havoc in your body, their negative effects to your health are greatly magnified when combined together.

An excellent metaphor for the synergistic effects of heavy metals comes from Dr. Joachim Mutter from the University of Freiburg:

“Imagine you own a store which sells porcelain goods. One night, before leaving, you decide to leave your dog in the store overnight.  The next morning, when you return, you find your dog broke some items while strolling through the store.  That evening, you decide to borrow your neighbor’s cat and leave it along with your dog in the store overnight again. Guess what’s going to happen?”

The metaphor illustrates the disastrous effect multiple heavy metals, when introduced into the human body, can produce.

One often cited research study demonstrated that when rats were given LD1 (short for lethal dose 1, the dosage where 1 out of 100 rats died) of mercury, along with the LD1 of lead, produced a synergistic effect where all 100 rats died.

Mercury, Taxis, High Blood Pressure and Chronic Fatigue

Imagine a red blood cell was a taxi cab, carrying four passenger oxygen molecules, driving through the congested streets of NYC.  Now, as the oxygen molecules are taking in the tourist sights, mercury begins to invade the city.  Since mercury has a higher affinity for red blood cells than oxygen, mercury kicks the oxygen molecules out of the cab.  And to make matters worse, once mercury has made itself comfortable inside the cab, it will never leave.  Now imagine this occurring on a larger scale, to the point where all the taxis in NYC are carrying around mercury molecules.  Day after day, as oxygen molecules get displaced,  oxygen transport throughout your body diminishes.  Since the human body is an adaptive organism, it begins to  manufacture new cabs/red blood cells, however this will ultimately lead to major traffic jams in the city.  At this point, there are too many taxis on the streets, loaded with mercury passengers.  The longer this continues, the greater the odds there will be signs of chronic fatigue.  To make matters worse, the traffic jams in the streets, leads to elevated blood pressure.

The standard approach to fixing the issues of chronic fatigue and high blood pressure symptoms, is prescription medication.  However, the smart approach, is to lick the mercury molecules out of the taxis and make room for healthy, nourishing oxygen molecules.

Coming on Friday, part 2 of Health, Muscle & Mercury, where Wolfgang reveals a mercury elimination supplement protocol

Mentoring: Educating the Strength Coaches of Tomorrow

 Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.

John Crosby

 In the business world, mentoring is a huge part of the culture, where it functions as a support system, providing a diverse perspective on academic, career, and personal development. While mentoring programs are typically designed for the benefit of the mentee, mentors also benefit from the relationship by ensuring the continuation of a high level of professionalism for their chosen field, as well as enhancing their own leadership and management skills.

Unfortunately, within the past few decades, mentor/mentee relationships in the strength and conditioning field have diminished significantly.  Due to the considerable ease of disseminating information worldwide through the internet,  experienced strength coaches have resorted to hoarding training information, in a protective effort to maintain their relevancy and financial income.  And unfortunately, this severe compartmentalization of the strength and conditioning community, has made it remarkably easy for charismatic fitness charlatans to prey on an unassuming public.

In the long run, by shunning the time-honored tradition of mentoring, we place at risk the professionalism of future generations of strength coaches.  My own strength training and consultation career has been greatly assisted and shaped by two mentors, each with a background the complete opposite of the other.

Gilbert Fierro 

Everyone has their “list of first” events which they recall fondly: their first girlfriend/boyfriend, their first car, or in Wolfgang’s case, seeing his first Rambo movie.  As for me, the first time I walked into a weight-room, remains one of my fondest memories.  It was 1985, the bodybuilding craze of the 80’s was in full swing and it seemed as if every strip mall in the U.S. had at least one gym.

Body Builder’s Gym was a small gym located in my home town of McAllen, Texas.  Owned by Gilbert Fierro, a firefighter and friend of the family, he ran the gym more as a club house for wayward meatheads, than a business.  The gym itself, was a study of the natural selection process at work.  The lack of air conditioning, combined with summer temperatures easily reaching 100°F/37°C, weeded out the weak and required a high level of testicular fortitude when training between 10:00 am-5:00 pm.  Gilbert’s training ethic mirrored his work ethic, and anyone who didn’t exhibit the same level of dedication and respect, placed their gym membership at risk of cancellation.

The three biggest lessons or rules I learned from Gilbert are still applicable today, as they were over twenty-five years ago.

 The Fierro Rules

 Deadlift before the Squat:  Gilbert believed if your spinal erectors didn’t possess the strength to pull heavy weight from the ground, then there was “no way in hell,” you could support both your bodyweight and a loaded barbell across your back.  Upon joining his gym, I trained the deadlift for three months before being allowed to squat.  And this was his only standing rule for all new members, no squatting until after performing between two and three months of  posterior chain envelopment.

The concept of 8: Gilbert’s most unusual training protocol, was based on an 8 day cycle and was reserved for lifters experiencing strength plateaus. The concept is simple, you perform the same lift for a high number of sets and after four cycles, you retest your 1-RM.

Lift seven days – one day off

Lift six days – two days off

Lift five days – three days off

Lift four days – four days off

Retest 1-RM

Upper Body 2:3 Rotation: Out of everything that I witnessed at Body Builder’s Gym, the one thing that stands out, was the lack of overtraining or injuries.  Despite the large volume of training and the extremely heavy poundage lifted year round, I can only recall one injury occurring at the gym…when someone dropped a 45 lb. dumbbell onto their foot.  I attribute the lack of injuries to Gilbert’ s obsessive insistence at everyone training with barbells for only two weeks, followed by dumbbell training for three weeks, and keeping that rotation indefinitely.  Regardless of the training cycle, everyone was expected to follow the 2:3 framework.

According to Gilbert, the 2:3 rotation:

• limited the amount of training performed with barbells, which he believed placed greater demands on weaker limbs, leading to injuries
• relieved boredom due to the frequent change in training implements.
• Prevented overtraining due to the variations in performance of the exercises between barbells and dumbbells.

While Gilbert possessed the unique capability of applying the appropriate technique when needed by a particular trainee, his true talent, was his ability to extrapolate information from the most meager of sources.  While others might have selected bodybuilding magazines for their training information, Gilbert devoted his time to reading the works of Peary Rader, George Hackenschmidt, and Arthur Saxon.  Additionally, It was his “working man’s, no BS” mentality and ability to remain objective, which I used as the foundation for my own strength training philosophy.

Greg Gardiner

Nearly twenty years later after my first mentor, I was about to meet my second, who would first appear as a client.  As I was soon to find out, Greg Gardiner was not your average training client.  Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he attended Georgetown and Fordham University, earning a Doctorate in Physical Chemistry.  At the time of our meeting, he was in private practice, consulting for numerous pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as a partner in a venture capital fund.  But his most interesting position, and the one which provided the basis for numerous lengthy discussions, was his management of Pfizer’s worldwide drug discovery program.  During our training sessions, he shared numerous stories of his worldwide travels, searching  for exotic plant and herb specimens to study for potential medicinal properties.

And while my mentoring relationship with Gilbert provided me with an education beyond the classroom, Greg Gardiner further expanded on my career and education by granting me access to the numerous professional relationships he established over a life time of pharmaceutical research and development.  Case in point, when we first began training together, Greg felt my familiarization with the endocrine system was “lacking,” and at our following session he brought one of his endocrinology text books for me to study.  I had five days in which to study and learn the material before being subjected to an oral exam.  Exactly five days later, Greg called me and asked if I was ready for my exam, I stated I was and then heard another voice on the phone.  Turns out, Greg had set up a conference call and the other voice on the line, was one of the authors of the endocrine textbook I had just studied.   My oral examination was to be conducted not by Greg, but rather by the author of the textbook.  After the oral exam, I was able to ask the author the numerous questions his textbook had raised and in return, was provided with an educational opportunity available to a select few.

I share that anecdote with you, not to impress you, but to impress upon you, that mentoring relationships provide opportunities which might not normally be made available to you.  By being a mentee, you are automatically given access to not only the information and practices your mentor has acquired over his professional career, but to the professional relationships they have developed.  A mentor acts as a catalyst to your academic and professional development and actively guides you on your path to a successful and rewarding career.

What About You?

Are you a mentor?  Why not?  By mentoring the future generation of strength coaches, we ensure a high level of knowledge and professionalism remains in our field long after we’re gone.  Why leave our profession at the mercy of late night infomercial “experts?”  Additionally, a mentoring relationship can reinforce or remind you of techniques you may have long forgotten and even ignite the desire in you to be a better coach.

Have you asked anyone to mentor you?  Why not?  A mentor can save you a significant amount of time, effort and money.  A great mentor, will allow you to look in his “playbook,” showing you what works and helping you avoid what doesn’t.  Don’t be afraid to ask anyone to mentor you, the vast majority of people you could ask, would be extremely flattered.

However, be prepared to have your dedication and sincerity tested.  The first time I was asked to be someone’s mentor, I had the potential mentee meet me at the gym every Saturday morning at 4:00 am. If someone won’t invest their time in pursuit of their goals, why should I?  Another strength coach I know, ask his potential mentee to write him a check for an undisclosed amount of money.  If the trainee ever fails to meet any of the previously agreed upon benchmarks, the mentor donates the check to a charity.

For all you strength coaches reading this, leave the strength and conditioning community in a better state that you found it.

Exploring the questions brings more wisdom, than having the answer.
-A Course in Miracles