usual suspect wrote:
> ta wrote:
>>>>>>> I think it is because a vegetarian diet is probably going to be
>>>>>>> low on sulphur and zinc
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Could you be a little more specific? Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> sulphur chelates mercury, and the body needs zinc to produce
>>>>> metal-binding proteins.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for clarifying. That's true, sulphur chelates mercury, but
>>>> so
>>
>> does
>>
>>>> DMSA and vitamin C. Why wouldn't these chelating agents be
>>>> sufficient?
>>
>> As to
>>
>>>> zinc, why wouldn't vegetarian sources of zinc suffice?
>>>
>>> Because vegetarian sources of zinc are high in phytates. Phytates
>>> bind and
>>
>> tie
>>
>>> up zinc and nonheme iron, preventing absorption and assimilation of
>>> both.
>>
>> Just
>>
>>> adding a little bit of meat to the diet increases absorption of
>>> both those
>>
>> minerals.
>>
>>> The following study found that just eating 50 or 75 grams (about an
>>> eighth
>>
>> of a
>>
>>> pound) of pork increased nonheme absorption by 44% to 57%
>>> (respectively on
>>
>> 50g
>>
>>> and 75g trials).
>>> http://tinyurl.com/x8b2
>>
>>
>> Interesting about zinc, thanks - I was just reading something to
>> that effect (although my recent blood tests indicate zinc levels are
>> aok). Also, increasing zinc supplementation should increase the
>> level of absorbtion:
>>
>> "Vegetarians may need as much as 50% more zinc than non-vegetarians
>> because of the lower absorption of zinc from plant foods, so it is
>> very important for vegetarians to include good sources of zinc in
>> their diet (2, 21)."
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/2vlwl
>>
>> In addition to the zinc in my diet, I already supplement with
>> colloidal minerals (which includes zinc) and vegetarian zinc tablets.
>>
>> Regarding pork, Dr. Huggins and Dr. Pinto recommend avoiding pork
>> altogether, due to its negative effects on the red blood cells in
>> mercury toxic patients:
>>
>> "Dr. Olympio Pinto had recorded on videotape the changes in live red
>> blood cells caused by eating pork, smoking cigarettes, drinking
>> caffeine, and other potentially destructive habits. Of particular
>> interest to me was the profound reaction of a patient one hour after
>> he ate the pork. I noted that more than half of his red blood cells
>> were then what are termed "ghosts". Ghosts are red cells that have
>> lost their hemoglobin." (p.106, "It's All in Your Head").
>
> I wouldn't be too worried about the anecdotes provided by Dr Huggins,
> who is a dentist by profession.

If I'm going to ignore all anecdotal evidence, then should I also ignore his
comments about vegetarian diets and mercury toxicity?:

"For those who are strict vegetarians, I must let you know that your
progress may be extremely slow, if you progress at all. I strongly
reccommend that you discontinue vegetarianism during your treatment period
in order to allow the protein fractions in the blood serum to reach a good
level. This can be done with eggs and turkey if you prefer to avoid red
meats. In nineteen years of treating mercury-toxic patients, I have never
been able to help anyone on a vegetarian diet. When people are in good
health, they can maintain it on this diet, but for some reason unknown to me
they cannot heal from mercury toxicity." (p.140, "It's All in Your Head").

There are no scientific studies to support this claim, as far as I know;
only anecdotal evidence.

> Pinto has ties to the Weston Price
> people. I would dismiss him on that basis alone. As for the anecdote
> conveyed in your quote, you might be surprised at the body's
> reactions to digesting various other foods, not to mention the
> affects of exercise and vigorous activity. I'd be more concerned
> about your personal trends in blood work, maintaining a healthy
> weight, and staying physically active.

The last thing an individual with mercury poisoning should do is exert
oneself physically. The blood work is definitely a key issue though, yes.

> Too much of anything is bad --
> and that includes stress from nitpicking over minor issues and losing
> sight of the major ones.

I certainly don't consider the decisions about what to put into my body
"nitpicking over minor issues". The major issue to me is how best to
recover, and that includes carefully considering my diet. And it's not
stressful, it's due diligence.

So regarding the zinc issue, there's no reason why extra supplementation of
zinc should not compensate for the lower zinc absorption rate from
non-animal sources of zinc, right?