Mercury and Menopause
Menopause is often stigmatised and overlooked in medical research. Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as endocrine disruptors, can affect the hormonal balance in the body. We know that toxins such as metals and ‘forever chemicals’ can build up in our systems and even cause early menopause for some women. Is Anthony William on to something?
Also known as the Medical Medium, Anthony suggests in his book ‘Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal’ that menopause can be caused by toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, that accumulate in the body over time. He believes that these toxic metals can damage the reproductive system and disrupt hormone production, leading to early menopause and other related health problems.
We know from the literature that the improvement of a low iron status, which often occurs at menopause, has a positive effect on cadmium exposure in the sense that its absorption decreases.
There is a significant release of bone lead after the menopause, in association with the acceleration of bone resorption. Thus, postmenopausal women may be at increased risk of adverse effects of lead.
Maybe we find that detoxing from heavy metals in general, alleviates the hot flushes. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) can be taken in tincture or capsule form to bring down hot flushes. Red clover is also used to detox from metals…
Soil can be ‘remediated’ using a process called Phytoremediation, by planting certain plants in the soil, such as red clover to reduce chromium, copper and nickel!
For more, read Dr Brom’s article: Menopause: It’s About More Than Just Hormones
Prozac Is Unsafe and Ineffective for Young People, Analysis Finds
A new analysis finds that Prozac (generic name fluoxetine) is unsafe and ineffective for treating depression in children and adolescents. Regulatory documents show that trial participants attempted suicide after taking fluoxetine, but these events were excluded from the final journal publication in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Essential information was missing and there were unexplained numerical inconsistencies.
- The efficacy outcomes were biased in favour of fluoxetine by differential dropouts and missing data. The efficacy on the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised was 4% of the baseline score, which is not clinically relevant. Patient ratings did not find fluoxetine effective.
- Suicidal events were missing in the publications and the study reports. Precursors to suicidality or violence occurred more often on fluoxetine than on placebo. For trial HCJE, the number needed to harm was 6 for nervous system events, 7 for moderate or severe harm, and 10 for severe harm. Fluoxetine reduced height and weight over 19 weeks by 1.0 cm and 1.1 kg, respectively, and prolonged the QT interval.
The reanalysis of the two pivotal trials showed that fluoxetine is unsafe and ineffective!
The association between a meatless diet and depression
An analysis was published in the January issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders, on the association between a meatless diet and depressive episodes among adults.
A validated food frequency questionnaire is used to determine the consumption of meat, and depressive episodes are assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) instrument.
Participants who did not consume meat experienced approximately twice the frequency of depressive episodes compared to meat consumers. This association remains even after adjusting for various confounding factors such as sociodemographic parameters, lifestyle factors, and health status. Nutrient deficiencies do not seem to explain this association.
Cold water immersion and the brain – forced vs. voluntary
A study explored the effects of cold water immersion (CWI) on the brain and the potential health benefits it may offer.
The study suggests that CWI can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve immune function, enhance cardiovascular health, and potentially have prophylactic health effects. The researchers compared the responses of individuals who underwent forced CWI (such as ice baths) versus those who voluntarily engaged in CWI (such as cold showers). They found that voluntary CWI appeared to have more positive effects on the brain, indicating a potential relationship between the voluntary engagement in cold exposure and its benefits.
Aspartame linked to anxiety
Researchers exposed mice to aspartame in their drinking water and observed changes in their behavior. The mice that consumed aspartame exhibited higher levels of anxiety-like behaviors compared to the control group that did not consume aspartame. The researchers suggested that the sweetener might influence neurotransmitters and brain chemistry, leading to increased anxiety.
Not only did low doses of this common artificial sweetener induce anxiety in male mice, but the effect was still seen in their offspring two generations later. More alarmingly are the studies on the link between artificial sweeteners and their effect on fertility in both men and women.
Molybdenum for detox from yeast infections
Candida overgrowth is addressed through dietary changes, antifungal medications, or natural remedies. The dying Candida cells release toxins such as sulphites, into the bloodstream that can trigger a temporary worsening of symptoms, known as Candida die-off or the Herxheimer reaction.
Symptoms of Candida die-off includes fatigue, brain fog, headache, digestive issues, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms.
To manage Candida die-off symptoms, drink plenty of water, support the liver with supplements and foods that aid detoxification, incorporate anti-inflammatory foods into the diet, avoid sugar and processed foods, and take natural supplements like activated charcoal and bentonite clay.
Molybdenum supplementation support the body’s detoxification pathways and help process and eliminate toxins, including sulfites. By assisting with sulfite metabolism, molybdenum may help reduce the severity of symptoms experienced during candida die-off.
