{"id":2,"date":"2019-01-29T18:34:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T18:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2020-02-10T00:01:23","modified_gmt":"2020-02-10T00:01:23","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/","title":{"rendered":"New To Chelating? Start Here"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

The protocol for the chelation of mercury and heavy metals, according to Dr. Andrew Cutler Ph.D., P.E, can seem overwhelming to learn at first. On this page, we have tried to simplify this learning process in as concise a manner as possible. Before beginning the chelation for mercury,\u00a0it is strongly advised that you follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Find Support & Learn<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
a) Join one or more of the support groups below;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The value of such\u00a0support groups cannot be underestimated. Many questions will come up along the way, and there are many good people out there waiting to offer help;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join the ACC Discussion Forum<\/strong><\/a>, which adheres strictly to Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s protocol.<\/li>
Facebook Group: Andy Cutler Chelation : Safe Mercury and Heavy Metal Detox\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
b) Listen to these interviews with Dr Andy Cutler<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
They provide an extremely helpful and easy introduction to Andy\u2019s protocol, and a great primer for his books. Listen to them in the car, out on a walk, or in the kitchen cooking dinner;<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/span>Wise Traditions Podcast with Dr. Andy Cutler<\/div>
\n\n\n\n
\n<\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-caret su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Mark Schauss Interview of Doctor Andy Cutler<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mark Schauss Interview of Doctor Andy Cutler\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nSHGfvr77xw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-caret su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>The Reality of Mercury Poisoning And What You Can Do About It - Episode 38<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dr. Andy Cutler - The Reality of Mercury Poisoning And What You Can Do About It - Episode 38\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SHQnc2znuco?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-caret su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Mercury Chelation Could Be The Answer To Your Mystery Illness - Episode 39<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dr. Andy Cutler - Mercury Chelation Could Be The Answer To Your Mystery Illness - Episode 39\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2lIZvYKBFeg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">b) Order Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/cutler\">Amalgam Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to dive deeply into Dr. Cutler\u2019s protocol, it is strongly recommended to obtain his books, at least Amalgam Illness (this can be very technical reading, but he does cover many different topics which not found anywhere else). It is of vital importance to have this book available to refer to while you are chelating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">c) Read this article, and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/general_guidelines.html\">general guidelines\u00a0<\/a>for oral chelation\u00a0before you start.<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-divider su-divider-style-default\" style=\"margin:25px 0;border-width:5px;border-color:#d1d9e3\"><a href=\"#\" style=\"color:#798da7\">Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. MOST IMPORTANT! Remove Any Mercury Amalgams!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/dentalnetwork\/what-to-do-the-day-of-a-dental-appointment\/\">mercury\u00a0amalgams have been\u00a0safely\u00a0removed<\/a>. You cannot take any\u00a0chelating\u00a0substance\u00a0while you\u00a0still\u00a0have\u00a0mercury amalgams in your mouth, or have exposure to any\u00a0other\u00a0source of mercury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can only begin the oral chelation\u00a0protocol, if you do\u00a0not\u00a0have any mercury amalgams left in your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3)\u00a0Most importantly:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Never, ever take any chelator in any form if you have any mercury still inside your mouth! Many doctors\/dentists will still advise this prior to amalgam removal. Ignore such recommendations.<\/li><li>Never perform IV chelation or challenge tests.<\/li><li>Do not use chlorella or cilantro\/coriander for chelation purposes. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A proper basic supplementation program should always be started first<\/strong>, including essentials minerals (magnesium, zinc, calcium), vitamins (B, C and E), essential fatty acids (omega 3), and other targeted support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td>\u00a0<strong>Abbreviated terms for:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Hg\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><td>Mercury<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ALA<\/strong><\/td><td>Alpha Lipoic Acid, also known as Lipoic acid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>DMSA<\/strong><\/td><td>Dimercaptosuccinic Acid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>DMPS<\/strong><\/td><td>DimercaptoPropane Sulfonic Acid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>EDTA<\/strong><\/td><td>ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-divider su-divider-style-default\" style=\"margin:25px 0;border-width:5px;border-color:#d1d9e3\"><a href=\"#\" style=\"color:#798da7\">Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>What is oral chelation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral chelation\u00a0is the process whereby chelating agents are ingested, in order to bind strongly or \u201dchelate\u2019 metals within the body, using chemical bonds, thus rendering the metallic ion much less chemically active and allowing for harmless excretion, through your urine (pee) or faeces (poop).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under normal healthy circumstances our body will use its glutathione reserves to detoxify and remove small amounts of mercury found naturally. However, when the body becomes over-burdened, this natural process of mercury excretion no longer works effectively creating a toxic burden and interfering with your physiology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mercury is cumulative over life\u00a0<\/strong>and does not leave the body easily on it\u2019s own, especially the tissues of the brain. Thus oral chelation becomes a vital process in removing problematic metals that are accumulating in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chelated metals are primarily excreted through the kidneys (pee), and\/or gastro-intestinal tract via the biliary network (bile from the liver) and then the stool (poop).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mercury is the most important metal to chelate due to its extreme toxicity, coupled with its widespread use.\u00a0<strong>Chelation\u00a0<\/strong>is thus used for mercury toxicity, but has important value in the removal of most other metals accumulated through daily living, and more importantly through indiscriminate use of metals in dentistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>True chelators are identified by the presence of two thiol groups<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many health practitioners incorrectly advise chlorella, cysteine, NAC and glutathione for chelation,\u00a0<strong>which are not true chelators in the chemical sense, as they do not contain two or more binding groups (dithiol groups)<\/strong>. Instead, they contain only one thiol group making them ineffectual chelators, with the capacity to simply move metals around, and cause more problems. These compounds can make matters worse by redistributing stored metals i.e. \u00a0mobilizing them from their storage sites, but failing to bind and excrete them. This is like stirring up a hornets nest.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-divider su-divider-style-default\" style=\"margin:25px 0;border-width:5px;border-color:#d1d9e3\"><a href=\"#\" style=\"color:#798da7\">Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Cutler protocol of oral chelation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Andy Cutler is a well known authority on mercury toxicity and advises oral chelation for mercury removal. He is a PhD biochemist who experienced mercury poisoning and consequently examined how to safely remove the mercury, by dosing oral chelators frequently according to their pharmaceutical half-life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Cutler protocol thus involves giving low doses of chelator(s) frequently, meaning according to its half-life,\u00a0over an average period of 3 days & nights, to help the body safely excrete mercury and\/or other metals.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>When given in this way, blood levels of the chelator are kept at a low and stable level, thus allowing for a net movement of metals out of the body. That means every 3 hours for ALA, every 4 hours for DMSA\u00a0and every 8 hours for DMPS.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Each chelating agent has an affinity for a different set of metals and there is value in knowing what specific metals are high, so that appropriate chelators can be chosen. This can be accomplished by certain testing procedures, but the accuracy of many of them is questionable. Precise testing for mercury, in specific, is impossible due to the uncanny ability of mercury to bind tightly and hide within the tissues of the human body. The safest and most informative test to do is the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/chelationnetwork\/hairtest\/\">\u2018Hair Elements Test\u2019 by DDI.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hair testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Cutler encourages hair testing to asses heavy metal toxicity. The hair test also gives you other important information too, but just like other \u2018mercury\u2019 tests, it is not always 100% conclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><em>\u201cMercury poisoning is difficult to determine because mercury hides. Thus trying to figure out whether someone has mercury poisoning is not an easy, direct thing to do, though many doctors will tell you it is.\u00a0 One cannot simply test someone\u2019s hair, or blood, or urine, or faeces, and measure how much mercury is there, and go by that. Why not? The body\u2019s tissues are selective about how long they keep mercury inside themselves. Mercury will stay in some body tissues (such as the brain and liver) which are very attracted to it, for a long time. Other tissues (such as blood), will clear out the mercury pretty quickly. Blood will keep mercury for a few months<strong>, while the brain keeps it for a lifetime.<\/strong>Other tissues are in between.<\/em><em>At first (soon after exposure), mercury is present in hair and blood. This means that soon after someone is poisoned, their blood and hair will probably show high levels of mercury. But later, in most cases, the mercury is \u201chidden\u201d deep within the body and it is no longer present in the blood or hair or urine or faeces. However, it is still present in other areas (such as the brain) and is still doing damage there. For people who have been exposed to mercury through vaccines (thimerosal) or through amalgam (dental fillings), the exposure is usually too far in the past and\/or too slow and chronic for mercury to show up in hair or blood or urine or faeces.<\/em><strong><em>IMPORTANT:<\/em><\/strong><em>A PERSON WHO IS MERCURY TOXIC will often have a NORMAL reading for mercury on tests of hair or blood or urine or faeces. You cannot go by that. The most recent edition of many medical textbooks tell physicians that mercury poisoning cannot be ruled out based on the urine or blood level of mercury. This is also true for hair levels of mercury. Only about 1 poisoned person in 10 shows up with a high level of mercury on these tests. The other 9 poisoned people have normal readings for mercury.If the reading for mercury is HIGH (red) on a hair test, this probably indicates the person has mercury poisoning. On the other hand, if the reading for mercury is normal (or even very low), this indicates nothing one way or another about whether the person has mercury poisoning. Mercury can still be present in the brain and organs, doing lots of damage there, and \u2014 NOT be present in the hair. THIS IS VERY COMMON\u201d.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/home.earthlink.net\/~moriam\/HOW_TO_hair_test.html\">[Source: Moria]<\/a><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Deranged mineral transport in a hair test<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Thus, hair elements test will not always show high levels of mercury, especially for exposures a long time ago<\/strong>. It can however give you an accurate idea about the state of your \u2018<strong>mineral transport system<\/strong>\u2018, as taught by Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s \u2018counting rules\u2019, which can then be applied to the hair test result, in order to indirectly determine if you have mercury toxicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mercury is the only metal known to cause widespread\u00a0<strong>deranged mineral transport<\/strong>. The mineral transport system is thus almost always defective in mercury toxicity, affecting how you transport and make use of your minerals. Dr Andy Cutler advises you to follow his \u2018<strong>counting rules\u2019\u00a0<\/strong>to assess your mineral transport system on the hair test. Please obtain his\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/cutler\">Hair testing book\u00a0<\/a>for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIf you want to use \u201cthe counting rules\u201d then you need to get a\u00a0<strong>HAIR ELEMENTS TEST<\/strong>, run through\u00a0<strong>DOCTOR\u2019S DATA INC<\/strong>. DO NOT get their \u201chair toxic exposure\u201d test \u2014 it does not include the essential elements. The essential elements are essential if you want to use the counting rules<\/em>\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Order a hair elements test from Holistic Health<a href=\"http:\/\/www.holisticheal.com\/hair-elements-test-kit.html\">\u00a0here\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistent with Dr Cutler\u2019s advice, we advise you to send away for the DDI hair test\u2019to maintain consistency in lab assessment. Since hair doesn\u2019t deteriorate, it doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated or sent via express, but can be posted by registered letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hair elements tests give you other important information besides indicating \u2018<strong>deranged mineral transport<\/strong>\u2018. It can give you indication of how well your metabolism functions. It is very helpful at assessing\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/lifestylefunctional-medicine\/hormones\/adrenal-fatigue\/\">adrenal<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/lifestylefunctional-medicine\/hormones\/thyroid-problems\/\">thyroid<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>function, was well as sugar\/carbohydrate handling ability. These patterns appear in the hair, long before blood tests can pick them up, making hair testing a very valuable screening tool. See some examples on our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/hairtest.html\">Hair testing page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1) The DMPS Challenge test:\u00a0WARNING: Do not do challenge tests!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many health practitioners offer provoked or challenge tests to supposedly measure heavy metal levels in the body via urine. This is very dangerous to mercury toxic people and should be avoided at all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common suggestion is the\u00a0<strong>DMPS challenge test<\/strong>, whereby a\u00a0largeamount of DMPS is delivered via a single-dose IV injection (Intra-Venous). This causes the body to mobilize a lot of mercury (and other metals), that was previously bound safely within storage sites in the tissues. Mercury is drawn out of the tissues like a sponge and dumped into the blood stream. If your body is unable to deal with this unexpected toxic load, long-term consequences can follow. Many people have had terrible adverse effects and others have experienced permanent damage from these tests.\u00a0<strong>Dr Andy Cutler advises strongly against this test and encourages\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/hairtest.html\">hair elements testing instead<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information of the dangers of the challenge test visit<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dmpsbackfire.com\/default.shtml\">: DMPS Backfire<\/a>and<a href=\"http:\/\/www.drcranton.com\/\">Dr Cranton\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DMPS\u00a0<\/strong>has been\u00a0recognized to have excellent use in cases of\u00a0<strong>acute metal toxicity<\/strong>, but when used as a \u2018challenge test\u2019 the results do not yield a lot of valuable information and even if you do decide to do a \u2018challenge test\u2019 after reading this, the overall test results cannot be considered as meaningful, since mercury is mobilized and \u2018redistributed\u2019 throughout the body in indiscriminate patterns, making scientific comparisons impossible. DMPS does not cross the blood-brain barrier or cell membranes, so it yields NO information about levels in the brain, organs and cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Challenge tests are thus strongly discouraged as the results are not informative anyway. The readings will come from mobilizing mercury which is not released in any consistent manner. Each test result can vary in the extreme, even with the same person, skewing information.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2) The EDTA challenge test. WARNING! Do not do!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>EDTA challenge tests\u00a0<\/strong>for mercury toxic people are also not informative for the same reasons as the DMPS challenge test mentioned above. EDTA is extensively used as an IV chelator, but\u00a0<strong>EDTA\u00a0will not\u00a0chelate mercury to any great degree and instead has a strong affinity for lead and cadmium<\/strong>.\u00a0DMSA chelates lead better than EDTA, and if you are mercury toxic, then IV EDTA can make you much worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather, it is advised to follow the oral chelation program as recommended by Andy Cutler to bring your mercury levels down safely first, thereafter IV EDTA can be considered if relavent, but can be used orally also for greater safety. EDTA was previously promoted as being good for removing calcium plaques in blood vessels. It is now suggested that it does not remove calcium plaques, but instead removes metals from the vessel lining (epithelial) receptor sites, thereby freeing up receptor sites to receive more nitric oxide, which was previously blocked by metals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3) The 24 hour fractionated urine porphyrin tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This can safely be used to gather information on mercury toxicity. Elevated urine\u00a0coproporphyrin\u00a0is suggestive of mercury poisoning (or another toxin), or possibly even a genetic disorder. Finding elevated\u00a0uroporphyrin\u00a0also indicates toxicity rather than genetics. The urine must be collected in a very specific way and handled in a very specific manner for accurate results (see pg.182\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/livingnetwork.co.za\/andycutlerbooks\/\">Amalgam Illness diagnosis and treatment<\/a>). You cannot be certain that the labs will take the proper testing precautions e.g. keeping the sample on ice at all times, never exposing it to light and never shaking it. This is what makes a\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/hairtest.html\">hair elements test<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>much safer for diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">THE CHELATION PROCEDURE \u2013 AFTER DENTAL REVISION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of chelation,\u00a0<strong>oral chelation\u00a0<\/strong>and i<strong>ntravenous (IV) chelation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Oral chelation\u00a0<\/strong>is much, much safer for mercury. It is also much less expensive and can be done by yourself, or monitored by a health practitioner informed of Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s protocol.<\/li><li><strong>IV chelation\u00a0<\/strong>can only be performed by a medical practitioner and is dangerous and not advised.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The safest approach is to bring your mercury levels down\u00a0<strong>slowly and safely with the Cutler protocol.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-divider su-divider-style-default\" style=\"margin:25px 0;border-width:5px;border-color:#d1d9e3\"><a href=\"#\" style=\"color:#798da7\">Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DR ANDY CUTLER\u2019S ORAL CHELATION PROTOCOL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Andy Cutler developed this chelation protocol based on the\u00a0<strong>pharmacological properties of chelators, using them according to their half-life,<\/strong>\u00a0in order to keep blood levels of the chelators stable, without gross fluctuation. If you don\u2019t keep blood levels stable you will induce more \u2018redistribution\u2019 of mercury and cause more damage. Dr Cutler\u2019s oral chelation program is designed specifically for mercury, but his book describes how you can deal with other metals, should they be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Chelators MUST be used correctly in accordance with their pharmacological half-life in order to be safe and effective.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>During the Cutler protocol, chelation is done in rounds, an average round consisting of three days chelating, and three days rest.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>This allows for safe mobilization and chelation of mercury and a time for your detoxification channels to \u2018catch-up\u2019 during rest days. You start with very low doses and build up SLOWLY!<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, you cannot chelate metals OUT that you are still being exposed to!\u00a0For that reason it is essential that you complete the dental revision first. We suggest you consider the full\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/drclarknetwork\/dental_clean-up.html\">dental clean-up\u00a0<\/a>as described by Dr Clark and Dr Huggins which ensures that you remove ALL metals from your mouth first. You never know what is hiding underneath a metal crown until you remove it. X-rays cannot penetrate metal crowns and many people have mercury amalgams there. If you chelate with ANY mercury amalgam still in your mouth, you will make matters much worse. This is a common occurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So what chelating agents should we be using to chelate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DMSA, DMPS and ALA<\/strong>\u00a0are the chelating agents\u00a0that will chelate mercury properly, and should be used according to Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s chelation protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Once all mercury amalgams have been safely removed, you can start:<\/strong><strong>DMSA or DMPS at least 4\u00a0days after the last amalgam is removed.<\/strong><strong>Wait 3\u00a0months before adding ALA.\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DMSA and DMPS<\/strong>\u00a0reduce the\u00a0<strong>body-burden\u00a0<\/strong>of mercury and are used soon after removal. ALA cleans the brain (and organs) by crossing the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). ALA can get mercury \u2018in and out\u2019 of the brain, so dosing indiscriminately and not according to the half-life can carry mercury into the brain. During the mercury amalgam removal process, a lot of mercury is released into the system and it is best to wait three months and lower the mercury in the body with DMSA or DMPS before adding the ALA, to prevent released mercury from moving into the brain with ALA (this presumably happens if there is a higher concentration in the blood).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALA and DMSA are thought to exert a synergistic effect and should be used together. DMSA also reduces side-effects of ALA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Oral chelation\u00a0<\/strong>needs to be done correctly with\u00a0<strong>low dosages taken on schedule<\/strong>to avoid problems. Typically, oral chelation can take between one and five years to complete depending on how toxic you are and how well you excrete metals.<br>Follow Andy Cutler\u2019s protocols and build-up doses slowly. DO NOT follow the advice on the bottles of many supplements for chelation, as you can get into trouble if you use compounds incorrectly and bounce your blood levels around.\u00a0<strong>Keep the dose low and go slow<\/strong>.<br>Slow equals fast with chelation. Take your time. Letting your \u2018ego\u2019 force things along will only cause trouble as you begin moving the metals out faster than you can cope. Some supplements, such as chlorella, will only mobilize it rather than bind strongly to it and pull it out the body. If you only mobilize mercury, but fail to pull it out of the body, you can get very sick. Most of the deleterious effects of mercury happen when it is being mobilized without it being properly bound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>TYPES OF CHELATORS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALA and DMSA\u00a0<\/strong>are used most commonly to chelate mercury with Dr Andy Cutler\u2019s protocol. Other chelators may be better with other metals, but not when the focus is on mercury. Again, a lot of people, including your dentist, may assume that all the mercury amalgam is out of your mouth, only to find an amalgam hidden under a metal crown when removed at a later stage, or in an \u2018appecectomy\u2019 of a root canal tooth. You will feel a lot worse if you attempt to chelate with ANY amalgam still in your mouth. This includes doing ill advised challenge tests with mercury still in, that your doctor may attempt on you. Chelators must NEVER be taken with mercury still in the mouth, and check your supplements to make sure ALA is not in them. ALA has extraordinary anti-oxidant, energy and blood sugar regulating properties\u2026..however it is also the most important chelator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DMSA\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 you can start this, four days after mercury amalgam removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>DMSA chelates specifically lead and mercury<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a man-made substance and was introduced initially to chelate lead for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DMSA doesn\u2019t cross the blood brain barrier to any clinical degree\u00a0<\/strong>and only chelates extracellular mercury.\u00a0<strong>DMSA has a half-life of four hours<\/strong>. DMSA is used early in treatment to lower the blood\/body levels before adding ALA, due to ALA\u2019s ability to go into and out of the brain. For this reason ALA should NOT be added too early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many need to start with very small dosages of DMSA for long periods to test tolerance and reduce the body burden before increasing the dosage or using ALA (this can be done for as long as a year for some mercury-toxic people that cannot tolerate ALA early, or at all). It is generally recommended to do several rounds (at least three or four) on DMSA at low dosages before changing dosage or adding ALA. Each component is changed separately so you know which (dose or substance) is causing resultant side-effects\/problems. If you use both chelators simultaneously and have problems you won\u2019t know which one is causing them. DMSA is not a sulphur-based drug. The molecule is based on succinic acid. DMSA is a synthetic (man-made) compound, while ALA is a naturally occurring compound. Both release and bind toxins which means you should make certain you are taking sufficient antioxidants to support the detoxification process. Consult a medical practitioner aware of the Cutler approach if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DMSA has the effect of reducing the side effects when used in conjunction with ALA, especially for those with a supposed lower body burden and higher brain burden. DMSA can help reduce symptoms after recent amalgam removal. DMSA, or any chelator, can exacerbate existing symptoms, so it is advised that oral chelation is begun with low doses and close attention paid to symptoms. Start with doses of 12.5mg and increase slowly over a number of rounds. Some people believe they have an allergy to the DMSA compound itself, but it is actually the incorrect dosage or timing of dose that is causing problems. If you are having side-effects with 12.5mg you can lower the dose further to 5mg. It is of course possible, that you cannot tolerate DMSA no matter what the dose.<br>DMSA is excreted through the kidneys which means this pathway of elimination must be flowing well.<br>Purchasing DMSA.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingsupplements.com\/\">DMSA can be obtained in smaller dosages from here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ALA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (Also known as LIPOIC ACID or THIOCTIC ACID)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>ALA\u00a0chelates specifically mercury and arsenic.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALA is the most important ingredient in oral chelation<\/strong>. ALA chelates both intracellular and extracellular mercury (and arsenic) \u2013 in the brain and in the body \u2013 making it essential to successful detox, while DMSA and DMPS are optional components to help reduce side-effects and open up an accessory route of elimination via the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALA is a disulfide. It is water and fat soluble which makes it able to pass the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and is thus able to clear mercury from the brain and inside the organs. You can successfully clear mercury with ALA alone. ALA is essential to detox, while DMSA\/DMPS is not. ALA has a half-life of three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Start ALA at low doses of 12.5mg to ensure few or no adverse effects<\/strong>, and add it after many rounds of DMSA alone. ALA can increase side effects in a mercury toxic person and you may need to reduce the dose to 6.25mg if that is the case. It is important not to rush this process. Although the goal is to eventually get to higher doses as stated in AI (100-200mg ALA per dose), that is very high dose and can cause bad or intolerable side effects in some, so work up SLOWLY. It can take some people years to get to this point. Starting low and working up is the safest way to proceed to avoid exacerbating symptoms. The higher dosage seems to make a more dramatic difference ultimately, but it takes a long time to get there safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALA is not always as easy to tolerate as DMSA for some, as you are mobilizing mercury from the brain and inside the cells. So it is difficult to \u2018expect\u2019 a symptom-free round with it, and especially the day after the round has finished. Usually side-effects are worse when coming off of an ALA-round when the mercury is redistributing. The most common side-effect is fatigue. If the side effects are too harsh lower the dosage before proceeding with your next round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have removed your mercury amalgams a long time ago, use DMSA on its own for a few months before adding ALA. In this way you can know which supplement is causing a problem if it occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The brain will not detox mercury on its own and only over a lifetime would it be able to eliminate it to a small degree. Only ALA is able to allow mercury to be excreted from the brain. People with significant brain mercury will not be able to improve unless they use enough ALA for a long enough time. Those that improve greatly on DMSA alone, do not usually have as much brain toxicity. ALA is excreted mainly through the biliary system (bile ducts) from the liver and into the gastro-intestinal tract and also through the kidneys. This means these pathways of elimination should be flowing well to assist detoxification.<br>ALA is available from most health shops in far too high a dosage without appropriate warnings or directions of usage. Do not use R-ALA.<br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingsupplements.com\/\">Purchasing ALA: ALA can be obtained small dosages\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingsupplements.com\/\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DMPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>DMPS is used for mercury, but will also chelate arsenic<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It chelates extracellular mercury or body burden. It is taken according to its half-life every six to eight hours in Dr Culter\u2019s protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DMPS, is a powerful chelator especially beneficial during times of acute toxicity. It is a synthetic compound. Taken without caution and in high dosages, as with challenge tests, it can cause too much mercury to be pushed into the kidney and liver (especially if these organs are not working well), and can possibly damage them. You should not take DMPS, or any chelator, intravenously. Taken orally however, in accordance with Andy Cutler\u2019s protocol, it can prove very beneficial, especially for those that do not tolerate DMSA or ALA well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people do fine without DMPS, using DMSA and ALA only. However if you have a problem with DMSA, then use oral DMPS at frequent low dosages and then later add ALA.\u00a0DMPS requires a script from an appropriate doctor in some countries. It can be purchased online\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingsupplements.com\/\">here\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Other compounds that can chelate or move metals around, BUT SHOULD NOT BE USED:<\/em><\/strong><br><strong>CILANTRO\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Coriander\/Dhania \u2013 although this is a natural chelator known to cross the blood-brain barrier, its half-life and method of action are unknown at present. Therefore, you are advised to steer clear of methods advising its use until its safety has been properly evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHLORELLA\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 is not a chelator as it contains only\u00a0onethiol group (sulfhydryl group). It can pick up mercury and move it around, but it does not strictly chelate it and hold onto it. This can cause a lot of oxidative damage as mercury \u2018bounces around\u2019. Chelators are\u00a0dithiols(they contain two sulfhydryl groups) and hold on to mercury tightly and safely. Beware of protocols using chlorella for chelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Oral mercury chelation: general guidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to start you oral chelation in a nutshell, when following Andy Cutler\u2019s chelation principles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The starting dose of 12.5mg has become the norm, as based on experience and suggestions from the Frequent Dose Chelation Yahoo group, which adheres strictly to Andy Cutler\u2019s principles. Generally one starts with either DMSA or DMPS four days after the last mercury amalgam is removed, and adds ALA three months later. For mercury only ALA is really needed, however DMSA and DMPS help alleviate side-effects for some, making chelating a easier process. DMSA is needed for lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Round 1 of chelation with 12.5mg of DMSA<\/strong>. Take 12.5mg every\u00a0<strong>4 hours<\/strong>, including waking up at night!!!! If you miss a dose by an hour stop the round and wait three days before you start again. Your blood levels of your chelator will have dropped too much with the late dose inducing a lot of redistribution of mercury. If there are any side-effects monitor these and if too intense, stop, wait a few days and start on a lower dose, such as 10mg or 6mg.\u00a0<strong>Alternatively, if you have strong side-effects (overt fatigue being the most common), you can increase the frequency of dosing<\/strong>, for example, taking a dose every 3 hours. Some people metabolize chelators more quickly and need to do it in this way. Make sure that you are familiar with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/adrenals_thyroid.html\">adrenal and thyroid\u00a0<\/a>issues that often present themselves early on in chelation. It is best to have addressed these by starting appropriate support before you begin chelation. A \u2019round\u2019 is \u201cthree days ON chelators\u201d and \u201cthree days OFF chelators\u201d, and later on you can increase the number of ON days once you have gained experience and are comfortable with the process.<strong>A common chelating schedule for DMSA is 7am \u2013 11am \u2013 3pm \u2013 7pm -11pm and 3am.<\/strong><\/li><li>If no side-effects, or mild manageable side-effects occur, wait three days before you start\u00a0<strong>Round 2 DMSA\u00a0<\/strong>at\u00a0<strong>12.5mg.<\/strong><\/li><li>If no side-effects, or mild manageable side-effects occur then do another\u00a0<strong>Round 3 DMSA at 12.5mg<\/strong>.<\/li><li>At this point you can continue for several more rounds of DMSA alone at the current dose and thereafter increase the dosage SLOWLY. It is best to do 3-4 rounds at a particular dose before increasing it. The increase in dosage must be not more than 50% of the current dose. For example don\u2019t double the dosage, as the jump from 12.5mg to 25mg is often too much. This slow route is\u00a0<strong>strongly encouraged\u00a0<\/strong>before adding ALA. DMSA will reduce your body burden of mercury before you start taking mercury out the brain and internal organs with ALA. This is often the best path to follow and many people need to lower the body burden with DMSA for many months (especially when very toxic) before adding ALA.\u00a0<strong>Remember<\/strong>, ALA can only be taken three months after mercury amalgams have been removed, or some other mercury exposure has passed. In that case continue with DMSA alone until three months have passed.<\/li><li>When you are ready to increase the dose of DMSA, raise it to\u00a0<strong>17.5mg\u00a0<\/strong>for\u00a0<strong>Round 4\u00a0<\/strong>and see how you do on this higher dose. It\u00a0<em>is recommended to do another 3-4 rounds at this dose of DMSA, if it does not give you side-effects.<\/em>. If you don\u2019t do well on the higher dose simply find the lower dose that works for you and \u2018stick to it\u2019 for longer periods.<\/li><li>Once you have done 3-4 rounds of DMSA at\u00a0<strong>25mg,\u00a0<\/strong>and have none or few side-effects, consider adding\u00a0<strong>ALA12.5mg\u00a0<\/strong>with each dose of DMSA. At this point change your chelating schedule to take both the DMSA and ALA every\u00a0<strong>3 hours\u00a0<\/strong>on the hour, including waking up at night. You can stretch it to every 4 hours ONLY at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day. If you miss a dose by an hour,as usual, stop the round and wait three days to start again. Monitor side effects\u00a0<em>especially\u00a0<\/em>closely after adding ALA, if un-manageable stop the round and reduce dosage. If you have especially bad side effects you may need to do more rounds of DMSA alone to remove some of the mercury pulled out of your cells by ALA. When using ALA and DMSA together you can begin DMSA alone for the first day or first few doses, before adding the ALA for 3 full days. At the end of the round of three days of ALA continue DMSA alone. This has the effect of reducing the side-effects from ALA. When ALA is added some mercury toxic people will struggle, as this is when mercury begins to be moved from inside your brain and internal organs. ALA usually gives more side effects the day after stopping the round. You may need to chelate for a lot longer on DMSA alone, or reduce the dosage of ALA \u2013 even as low as 3mg.\u00a0<strong>This is very important.<\/strong><\/li><li>Continue with\u00a0<strong>25mg DMSA\u00a0<\/strong>and<strong>12.5mg\u00a0<\/strong>ALA for 3-4 rounds or longer. Then increase the DMSA or the ALA You must only increase one chelator at a time, so you know which one is causing problems if they occur. For example increase to\u00a0<strong>30mg DMSA\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>12.5mg ALA<\/strong>, OR increase to\u00a0<strong>25mg DMSA\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>17.5mg ALA<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Generally it is best to continue using the safe dosages for some time before increasing. When you find the one that is manageable\u00a0<strong>stick there for a long time<\/strong>. If problems occur then go back to the previous manageable dose and stick there for a few more rounds. You should feel somewhat better on round. If you don\u2019t you should lower the dose.<\/li><li>You can eventually increase the number of days ON if side effects are stabile, especially if you do well while chelating. This is only advised once you have become somewhat experienced with the oral chelation protocol and only when using DMSA or DMPS on its own. ALA should generally not be taken for longer than 3 days. It is then okay to chelate for longer periods with DMSA or DMPS if your body can keep up with the detox effects and interruption of sleep, then have the same time for rest periods. Usually no more that 2 weeks is recommended, but most can\u2019t go for too long anyway because of lack of sleep due to the interruption of it. If you a lot feel better during the rounds you can extend it for a few more days and see how you do.\u00a0<strong>Longer rounds excrete more mercury and cause less redistribution<\/strong>. Longer rounds are advised only for those that actually do better while chelating \u2013 for those that have significant side effects while on round, you will need to take as much time OFF as ON. If you feel a lot better while chelating with the DMSA during that extended time and need to stop because of lack of sleep etc, then you should take the same amount of time off before starting again. Most can\u2019t do it for extra long periods. This is especially true when you add ALA and are dosing every 3 hours or more often. But with DMPS which is taken every 8 hours (due to its longer half-life) people can chelate longer or even continuously as you don\u2019t have to wake up to take doses in the middle of the night. ALA causes less copper to be released during rounds causing problems in the long-term (especially for copper toxic people) so the off-days are very important for most to allow balance to return to your system.<\/li><li>Ideally,\u00a0<strong>oral chelation must continue for another 6 months to a year AFTER you think you\u2019re well<\/strong>.<br>Some people have to chelate for 3 years, and as Andy says, \u201cChelate, chelate and chelate some more.\u201d<br><strong>You can keep slowly increasing the dosage of ALA over time, and you will know when you are done,\u00a0<\/strong><br><strong>when you can take 200mg of ALA per dose, for 6-months without symptoms, and also without seeing further improvement.REMEMBER: Increasing the dosage too fast is one of the most common ways people get in trouble with this protocol.\u00a0<\/strong><br><strong>Chelation is a slow process, it does not help to push it faster than your body can cope.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also:\u00a0<\/strong>Andy Cutler has this to say about the chelation of heavy metals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018Generally, heavy metal detoxification involves an exponential decay in symptoms. For example, half the problems might be resolved in the first 6 months, half the remaining problems (a quarter of the original ones) resolved in the next 6 months, etc.\u00a0<strong>Mercury is the exception to this, with a few months of improvement, several months of worsening, and then slow improvement over many more months<\/strong>.\u2019\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/cutler\">Hair Test\u00a0 Interpretation: Finding Hidden Toxicities<\/a>, pg. 237)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important: If you miss a dose or are later by one hour stop the round!!!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When should I increase the dosage?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are not having any side effects at all at the dosage you are at and have done a few rounds at that \u2018comfortable\u2019 dose. It is a good idea to remain on that \u2018comfortable\u2019 dosage for a long time. Chelation should be pleasant and if it becomes difficult you are probably pushing too fast and should lower the dose. Many people find a dosage that they actually feel better on (no side-effects) and stay on it for many, many rounds before increasing the dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Repeat oral chelating rounds\u00a0<\/strong>until you feel better. It can take 1-3 years (and longer for some who are \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0very poisoned). Give each round a number so you know how many rounds you have done. Increasing dosage to tolerance and using the same dose for many rounds until side effects have diminished, or have subsided at that dosage, before increasing the dosage is the safest way to chelate.\u00a0<strong>The body does not release mercury consistently when you chelate which is why you can get different problems with different rounds, and yet another reason why challenge tests are not informative<\/strong>. All progress achieved with oral chelation should be PERMANENT. If \u2018scary stuff\u2019 starts to happen, stop the ALA immediately and wait at least several days before trying it again at a lower dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td>These guidelines are taken from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/home.earthlink.net\/~moriam\/Andy_dose_sched.html\">here thanks to Moria and Andy\u00a0<\/a><strong>Mercury Detox: Information, Tools, and Resources<\/strong>\u2026.\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/home.earthlink.net\/~moriam\/\">here\u2026<\/a><br><strong>IN GENERAL:<\/strong><br>ALL methods of chelation and ALL chelation agents have some risk<br>Pay attention to\u00a0<strong>your<\/strong>\u00a0kid or\u00a0<strong>yourself\u00a0<\/strong>and what is happening. Your actual results take precedence over anyone\u2019s theories of what could happen or should happen.<br>If something has bad results STOP IT<br>Do\u00a0<strong>NOT<\/strong>\u00a0try to chelate mercury if your child or yourself has\/have any amalgam dental fillings present.<br><strong>Which chelation agent(s) to use:<\/strong><br>This is a somewhat complex topic, and there is not an obvious one-size-fits-all answer. As an intro though, Andy does say the following things:<br><strong>DMSA alone<\/strong>followed by DMSA + ALA is a reasonable option.<br>So is DMPS alone followed by DMPS + ALA.<br>ALA is the only one of the common chelator agents which crosses the blood-brain-barrier, so you need to use ALA at some point in order to clear mercury from the brain.<br>ALA has specific risks because it crosses the blood-brain-barrier. It is riskier if used soon after mercury exposure (such as soon after amalgam replacement). This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.<br>ALA tends to lessen copper excretion \u2014 so people taking ALA may have their copper levels increase. This can be a problem for people who already have high copper (which is toxic). This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.<br>DMSA is stressful to the liver. ALA is helpful to the liver.<br>ALA is sulfury. (This is \u201cgood\u201d for some and \u201cbad\u201d for others. If you are a \u201chigh sulphur\u201d person, you may need to limit the ALA dose amount and\/or limit sulphur foods carefully while chelating with ALA.)\u00a0<em>[added note: see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/sulfur_sulphur_foods.html\">Sulfur food list<\/a>]\u00a0<\/em><br><strong>Dose frequency:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>NB stick to the schedule strictly by setting an alarm each time!<\/strong><br>DMSA: every 4 hours,<strong>including at night<\/strong><br>ALA: every 3 hours,\u00a0<strong>including at night<\/strong>. (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)<br>DMSA + ALA (together): same as ALA, every 3 hours,\u00a0<strong>including at night<\/strong>. (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)<br>DMPS: every 8 hours<br>DMPS + ALA (together): same as ALA, every 3 hours,\u00a0<strong>including at night<\/strong>. (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.). Use 1\/2 as much DMPS per dose.<br>It is generally okay to take a dose SOONER, if this is more convenient. For instance, it is fine to take the next dose of ALA after 2.5 hours rather than 3. If you do this, be sure to adjust the time of the next following dose so that it is taken within 3 hours. (Don\u2019t accidentally leave it till 3.5 hours later because of the \u201cearly\u201d dose). All dose guidelines are about the LONGEST you can go between doses. Shorter is okay.\u00a0<strong>Length of cycles:<\/strong><br>at least a few days on. Three days on or more is recommended. 2.6 days on is acceptable. (3 entire daytimes and the 2 nights in between = 2.6 days.) (Also, Friday after school until Monday morning = 2.6 days.) Less is getting \u201ciffy\u201d.<br>at least as many days off as you had on<br>There is not an obvious one-size-fits-all answer. The following are all reasonable options: 3 days on, 4 days off. OR 3 days on 11 days off . Many other options are also reasonable.<br><strong>How long to wait after amalgam replacement before chelating:<\/strong><br>for DMSA: at least 4 days<br>for ALA: at least 3 months. ALA has specific risks because it crosses the blood-brain-barrier. It is riskier if used soon after mercury exposure (such as soon after amalgam replacement). This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.<br>\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u00a0How do I know when I am done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally, oral chelation must continue for another 6 months to a year AFTER you think you\u2019re well.<br>Some people have to chelate for 3 years, and as Andy says, \u201cChelate, chelate and chelate some more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can keep slowly increasing the dosage of ALA over time, and you will know when you are done,<br>when you can take 200mg of ALA per dose, for 6-months without symptoms, and also without seeing further improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>REMEMBER: Increasing the dosage too fast is one of the most common ways people get in trouble with this protocol.<br>Chelation is a slow process, it does not help to push it faster than your body can cope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people feel well enough to stop before reaching this point, however that is the way you will know for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side effects<\/strong><br>Side effects can increase and decrease during the round and can be worse on some rounds than others. Side effects starting hours later are\u00a0<em>usually<\/em>a sign of Mercury (Hg) being mobilised, while immediate side effects are usually a sensitivity to the drug\/supplement. Always begin with low doses of 12.5mg of ALA, DMSA or DMPS to test sensitivity to the compounds, and thereafter build up. If you are in a hurry, it is going to cause chelation to take far longer in the end (due to needing to stop and recover from damage along the way).\u00a0<em>Slow equals fast in chelation<\/em>.\u00a0<strong>Complications often show up with the second or third round<\/strong>. So take it easy! Side effects do not always show up right away and they can occasionally hit you \u2018like a freight train\u2019 all of a sudden if you are using too high of a dosage or increasing too fast. Being in a hurry is not safe and you need to think about possible consequences if you make yourself worse. We all want to get well as fast as possible but chelating can be dangerous at high doses and cause lots of bad side effects if you push too hard or too fast.<br>Symptoms with chelation usually confirm mercury toxicity even if tests for mercury don\u2019t show it. When you can take high doses of safe chelators like ALA (1200mg. over a day) without symptoms for while it\u00a0<em>crudely<\/em>implies a lack of mercury toxicity.\u00a0<em>If you have progressively bad side effects even with low doses make doubly sure you have not got a piece of amalgam still inside your mouth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is it safe to assume that when you are having a lot of symptoms during a round that you are losing a lot of mercury?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving a lot of mercury around and if the symptoms are not tolerable it means that the dose is too high.\u00a0<strong>Take chelation seriously, stick to the program and build up slowly.\u00a0<\/strong>There is a danger of doing damage when moving mercury around. It can cause long term damage and side effects if you are too arrogant with your approach. If you push it too hard and your body can\u2019t handle it you may create problems. Some people only begin to have problems when they add ALA and start moving mercury from inside the brain and organs. If this occurs lower your ALA dose (some people go as low as 3mg. and stay on this for as long as a year), or continue to chelate with DMSA\/DMPS for a longer time before you add the ALA in again. ALA is essential for the mercury detox, and if you have adverse reactions to it lower your dose significantly until you find a dose you can tolerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food tips while chelating:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sulphur (sulfur) foods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some mercury poisoned people will not do well with\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/sulfur_sulphur_foods.html\">sulphur foods (please follow this link to properly understand)<\/a><\/strong>, these are foods with high free-thiol content, not simply a high sulfur content, as can be found on many website lists. We calll them high\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/sulfur_sulphur_foods.html\">sulphur foods\u00a0<\/a>to simplify. Foods such as like dairy, eggs, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. can cause a lot of problems and may need to be avoided while chelating. Dairy is a very common sulphur food with free thiols. See the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/sulfur_sulphur_foods.html\">sulphur food list\u00a0<\/a>for more information and sulphur metabolism to understand its conversion. Mercury often interferes with the metabolism of sulphur foods.<br>Usually it is people that test\u00a0<strong>high in plasma cysteine\u00a0<\/strong>that cannot tolerate sulfur foods and supplements high in sulphur. People with\u00a0<strong>low plasma cysteine\u00a0<\/strong>feel better if they eat foods high in sulphur. You would need to test your\u00a0<strong>plasma cysteine\u00a0<\/strong>levels to know this. See Andy\u2019s comments on thiols, sulfur and cysteine.<br>Sulphur based nutrients, such as garlic, or medicines with only a single thiol (sulphur) group (the ones that grab onto metals) will make the mercury in the body bounce around faster, making it come out a \u201clittle\u201d faster, but it may also create some damage during the processes, which is why some mercury toxic people don\u2019t do well on it. Everywhere it bounces more cellular damage (oxidative damage) is caused which eventually leads to more symptoms. A single sulfur group (thiol) can\u2019t hold on the mercury tightly enough to remove it from the body. Chelators have TWO or more sulfur groups (di-thiol groups) close together in the same molecule (e.g. DMSA, DMPS and ALA) that bind the mercury much more tightly, hang on to it better, and can eventually carry it out of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sulphites (sulfites) and Molybdenum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of sulphur metabolism produces poisonous\u00a0<strong>sulphites\u00a0<\/strong>[R-SO3] further down the chain. Sulphites are also found in many foods e.g. white wine. These must quickly be converted to non-toxic\u00a0<strong>sulphates\u00a0<\/strong>[R-SO4] by the liver. This process uses an enzyme called\u00a0<strong>sulphite oxidase<\/strong>(SO) which requires\u00a0<strong>molybdenum\u00a0<\/strong>in its core. Often mercury substitutes itself for molybdenum rendering the enzyme useless. This is why molybdenum is one the important minerals to take while chelating, especially those with high copper as molybdenum reduces copper absorption. ALA tends to increase copper retention and molybdenum will help a lot when ALA is being used.<br>Many soils are deficient in certain minerals (e.g. South Africa soils are low in molybdenum, along with zinc, germanium, magnesium and selenium).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other food tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid beer or wine because of the reactions many mercury toxic people have to them and because they encourage candida yeast infections \u2013 particularly while one is chelating. Chelation itself encourages yeast due to the direct effects of\u00a0 moving of metals. DMSA on it\u2019s own may aggravate yeast in some people, so if you have such an issue you will still need to control the candida while chelating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Supplements to take while chelating:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Review \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/cutler\">Amalgam Illness diagnosis and treatment\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 by Andy Cutler, for comprehensive information on correct supplementation for mercury poisoning and chelation. The minimum basic suggested supplements and doses are listed below, and you are encouraged to research the book for details on individual situations, so you can adapt the suggestions to suit your own process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>VITAMIN B<\/strong>\u2013 12.5mg to 25 mg four times a day totaling 60 \u2013 100mg\/day. Can split a \u201cB-50? or \u201cB-100? tablet. Important to take several times per day to keep blood levels high. Don\u2019t take after 4pm as it can keep you awake. Other water soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C should also be taken several times<\/li><li><strong>VITAMIN C<\/strong>\u2013 4 grams or more, one with each meal and one at bedtime. Can take up to 12 grams, or up to bowel tolerance, to reduce side-effects of chelation and oxidative damage caused by mercury.<\/li><li><strong>VITAMIN E<\/strong>\u2013 1200iu. It is fat soluble and can be taken once a day. This is a VERY IMPORTANT option. Vit. E is a potent anti-oxidant and will balance out the over-oxidizing effect of moving metals, and mercury in particular. Mercury causes oxidative damage wherever it goes and Vit. E and Vit. C help to repair it.\u00a0 Only buy\u00a0<em>natural\u00a0<\/em>Vit E. Natural Vitamin E begins with a\u00a0<strong>d,\u00a0<\/strong>as in\u00a0<em>d-alpha-tocopherol<\/em>and the synthetic variant begins with a\u00a0<strong>dl,\u00a0<\/strong>as in\u00a0<em>dl-alpha-tocopherol<\/em>.<\/li><li><strong>MAGNESIUM\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 in absorbable forms like citrate, malate, aspartate, or amino acid chelate \u2013 50-100mg several times a day up to 750 mg and adjust lower if diarrhoea. People with weak\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/adrenals_thyroid.html\">adrenals\u00a0<\/a>should not use Magnesium Oxide as it uses up stomach acid. Magnesium is one of the supplements that poisoned people need a lot of. You can also take pharmaceutical grade Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate) 1\/4 \u2013 1\/2 teaspoon 4 times a day (don\u2019t take Epsom salts at the same time as Calcium supplements however as it can create an indigestible by-product)<\/li><li><strong>ZINC<\/strong>\u2013 50 to 100 mg spread out during day (especially copper toxic people). Everybody needs this.<\/li><li><strong>FISH OILS<\/strong>: Pharmaceutical grade Cod Liver Oil. 1 teaspoon \u2013 1 tablespoon\/day. Take more in winter.<\/li><li><strong>VITAMIN A<\/strong>\u2013 5 RDA\u2019s per day. Can use the mercury-free fish oils to supply this.<\/li><li><strong>FLAX OIL\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 1-3 tablespoon per day, take some fish oils also. Take with cottage cheese if you tolerate dairy. Balance with\u00a0<strong>BORAGE OIL,<\/strong>1 teaspoon of Borage for every tablespoon of Flax. People with allergies can do well by taking more flax<\/li><li><strong>LIVER HERBS<\/strong>\u2013 milk thistle. One capsule with each meal.<\/li><li><strong>SULPHATE (SULFATE): EPSOM SALT BATHS\u00a0<\/strong>are excellent to provide (Magnesium) sulphate and can be done daily! Or consider (Glucosamine) Sulphate 1500mg\/day<\/li><li>Consider also\u00a0<strong>CHROMIUM\u00a0<\/strong>200mcg\/meal and\u00a0<strong>VINPOCETINE\u00a0<\/strong>5mg\u2026\u2026 three times\/day, plus:<\/li><li><strong>MOLYBDENUM-\u00a0<\/strong>500 mcg\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026 to 1000mcg per day. This is especially important for \u2018copper toxic\u2019 people as molybdenum (along with zinc) prevents copper absorption. It is also important to use when using ALA as ALA reduces copper excretion in the bile. (Many South Africans are low in this according to recent\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/healingnetwork\/hairtest.html\">hair tests<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>COENZYME Q10<\/strong>400mg\u2026\u2026\/day;\u00a0<strong>INOSITOL<\/strong>2-12g\/day;\u00a0<strong>LYSINE<\/strong>2g\/day;\u00a0<strong>ARGININE<\/strong>6g\/day,\u00a0<strong>ACETYL-L-CARNITINE\u00a0<\/strong>1-2g\/day.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other supplements to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>KIDNEY HERBS\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 ginger and parsley in boiling water is great to help flush the kidneys. Sip throughout the day.<\/li><li><strong>MELATONIN\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 if you have trouble getting to sleep. Not otherwise<\/li><li><strong>ACTIVATED CHARCOAL\u00a0<\/strong>is ONLY used at the time of amalgam removal, as it only helps with\u00a0<em>current\u00a0<\/em>ingestion of toxins and should not to be taken regularly.<\/li><li><strong>SAUNAS<\/strong>are one of the quickest ways to bring the body burden of mercury down after stopping exposure. Build-up carefully and keep hydrated with electrolytes drinks. Avoid \u2018Far Infra-Red\u2019 saunas.<\/li><li>An\u00a0<strong>ALKALINE URINE\u00a0<\/strong>is important for some metals and a pH of 8 or more is desired, especially when chelating cadmium. According to Andy Cutler \u201cThe thiol based chelators will drop off some of the metals in the kidneys if the urine is too acidic\u201d. You can test your morning pH. There is a recipe to increase your pH\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/drclarknetwork\/balance_your_pH.html\">here\u2026<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>SOURCE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/chelationnetwork\/chelation-the-andy-cutler-protocol\/\">https:\/\/www.livingnetwork.co.za\/chelationnetwork\/chelation-the-andy-cutler-protocol\/<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The protocol for the chelation of mercury and heavy metals, according to Dr. Andrew Cutler Ph.D., P.E, can seem overwhelming to learn at first. On this page, we have tried to simplify this learning process in as concise a manner as possible. Before beginning the chelation for mercury,\u00a0it is strongly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241,"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions\/241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/andy-cutler-chelation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}