Mercury poisoning can cause of variety of medical conditions with varying degrees of severity. The symptoms can be as simple as nausea and vomiting to as severe as difficulty breathing, numbness in body parts and visual disturbances. According to the United States National Library of Medicine, the majority of cases involving mercury poisoning are due to prolonged, occupational exposure to mercury. Several scientific studies have shown than increasing consumption of certain vitamins can reduce the symptoms due to mercury poisoning and reduce the amount of mercury in your body.
Vitamin E
There is scientific evidence that vitamin E acts as an effective treatment for mercury poisoning. A 2001 study performed by the Department of Zoology at Gujarat University in India revealed that vitamin E had a protective effect against mercury poisoning on the reproductive system. The study revealed that study subjects that were administered vitamin E had lower mercury concentrations in the testes, epididymis and vas deferens. Although this study was performed on laboratory mice, the result are encouraging for further testing on the human population. Dietary sources of vitamin E include almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanut butter and spinach.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C offers a preventative effect against the symptoms of mercury poisoning. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, acts as an antioxidant in the body and protects the body against damage from free radicals. A 2001 study performed by R.V. Rao from the Department of Zoology at Gujarat University in India revealed that vitamin C effectively prevented damage from mercury induced toxicity in human blood cultures. The results of this study confirm the antioxidant qualities of vitamin C are an effective treatment against mercury poisoning. Dietary sources of vitamin C are oranges, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, broccoli, tomatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 offers preventative effects against mercury poisoning. According to Pub Med, a study performed by M. Kasura in 1980 revealed that vitamin B12 significantly inhibited the toxic effects of methylmercury but not mercuric chloride. Methylmercury is the organic and most common type of mercury that is found in occupational areas or obtained by seafood. The results of this study shows the protective quality of vitamin B-12 against poisoning from organic mercury. Dietary sources of vitamin B-12 are fish, shellfish, organ meats and eggs.
References
- United States National Library of Medicine: Mercury
- PubMed.gov: Protective Effect of Vitamin E Against Mercuric Chloride Reproductive Toxicity in Male Mice
- PubMed.gov: The Effect of Methylcobalamin on the Toxicity of Methylmercury and Mercuric Chloride on Nervous Tissue in Culture
- "Science Direct": Role of Ascorbic Acid on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Genotoxicity in Human Blood Cultures
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
