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Alzheimer’s disease and dentistry

February 23, 2012

Alzheimer's and Dementia, Dental

Research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases are associated with, at statistically relevant levels, the number of mercury fillings (dental mercury exposure) in your mouth.

by Dr. Nicholas Meyer — 

Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease that touches the lives of many Americans. It robs people of their minds, memories and contributions to family and society. Recent developments in the area of DNA research and genotyping have made breakthrough tests available that can be used as an indicator of susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Research has shown that these diseases are associated with, at statistically relevant levels, the number of mercury fillings (dental mercury exposure) in your mouth. Of course, there are other sources of mercury contamination such as environmental and food sources, but those exposures are harder to measure.

Using a simple blood draw, a qualified laboratory test can measure a substance known as Apolipoprotein E and its derivatives. The test looks specifically at the ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4 groups. It has been demonstrated that people with elevated ApoE2 or ApoE3 levels can more efficiently eliminate mercury from their bodies. However, those with ApoE4 do not have the ability to eliminate mercury, so it accumulates in their bodies and becomes harmful.

The results of that accumulation of mercury are non-genetic gene deletions in chromosome 22. These deletions have been shown to lead to an enhanced susceptibility to autoimmune neurological diseases.

Nicholas Meyer, D.D.S., D.N.M., is a general dentist in Scottsdale, Ariz., who has a special interest in developmental disturbances of the facial complex that contribute to such maladies as TMJ, snoring and sleep apnea. www.milldental.com, DrMeyer@milldental.com or 480-948-0560.

 

Reprinted from AZNetNews, Volume 30, Number 6, Dec/Jan 2012.

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