Three Ways Mercury Affects Your Body’s Cells

Mercury is a heavy metal that is ubiquitous in the environment and has been known to contribute to a number of health issues and diseases such as hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease and neurological issues.

How Are We Exposed To Mercury?

Mercury is found in old thermometers and thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lightbulbs (compact and linear), dental amalgam fillings and some types of batteries. Unregulated (and often illegal) skin-lightening creams often contain high levels of mercury as part of their formula (mercury has been used historically as a skin-lightening and beauty agent). Mercury is also found naturally in the Earth’s crust and is released into the environment through mining and combustion of fossil fuels, ending up in the air, soil and water and eventually in the food supply.

Mercury can make its way into the body through various routes: inhalation of mercury vapours from the air- this can occur if an old thermometer or a fluorescent light is broken and/or improperly cleaned up, or even from old dental amalgams slowly giving off small amounts of mercury vapour over time, absorption through skin from playing with loose mercury (not a common occurrence nowadays) or from topical application of mercury-containing skin lightening creams and cosmetics. The most common way that people are exposed to mercury is through eating predator fish and other seafood, as well as other apex predators (more common in areas where traditional hunting practices exist).

Three Ways Mercury Can Affect Your Cells

Three ways that mercury can affect your cells include the following:

damage to DNA & cells

Mercury is a strong pro-oxidant, which means that it will generate free radicals in the body. These free radicals are molecules that cause inflammation, damage to DNA, as well as other cellular structures unless they are gathered up and neutralized by antioxidant molecules.

use up your glutathione

Glutathione is a sulfur-containing molecule comprised of the amino acids glutamine, glycine and cysteine. It is made in various cells and found in high levels in the brain, liver and lungs. It is a strong antioxidant, involved in tissue repair and regeneration (healing) and the neutralization and detoxification of many environmental toxicants. Mercury binds up two glutathione molecules irreversibly, preventing them from being recycled (as would normally occur) and taking them completely out of commission. Mercury also negatively affects the enzymes involved in the production and recycling of glutathione, further reducing levels of this important molecule.

promote cell death in neurons (nerve cells)

Mercury damages important structures found in cells called microtubules. Microtubules provide structural support, allow for motility (i.e. the motion of hair-like projections called cilia on cells) and play a part in regulating DNA replication. When these structures are damaged it causes the cell to undergo programmed cell death, or “apoptosis”. Apoptosis is usually a natural, controlled protective process meant to keep abnormal and damaged cells from proliferating and causing damage, and does not usually occur in many cells simultaneously. Mercury has been shown to quickly damage nerves and other tissues by artificially promoting cell death.

How To Limit Mercury Exposure

Mercury as a heavy metal is quite disruptive and its effects at the cellular level has physical and functional consequences. Luckily there are a number of ways that you can reduce your mercury exposure, improve elimination and manage the negative effects of inevitable exposure.

Limiting consumption of large predator fish, as well as fish caught in lakes that are close to industrial operations will help to limit mercury exposure. Eating sulfur-containing foods such as garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables can help support detoxification pathways. Getting adequate protein will also help to provide the amino acids needed to make glutathione, while making sure you’re getting a wide variety of vegetables daily will help to further support routes of elimination and detoxification.

A Final Word

If you suspect that mercury exposure may be a contributing factor in your health issues, consulting with a health care provider and getting a comprehensive health history with appropriate lab work can help to determine if mercury and/or other heavy metals may be contributing to your health challenges and determine the next steps and plan of action.

If you have any other questions regarding mercury exposure and how Naturopathic Medicine can help, please feel free to reach out and book an appointment or a complementary meet-and-greet!

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If you’re ready to speak to a Naturopathic Doctor about possible mercury & other environmental exposures, you can book a complimentary consult with us here.

Yours in health,

Dr. Marillea Yu, ND

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