If you suffer from high blood pressure, mercury toxicity may be the missing piece of the puzzle. A growing body of medical literature (click here) has discovered the damaging effects of mercury on the function and vascular smooth muscle function of endothelial (the inner lining of blood vessels).
Mercury induces mitochondrial dysfunction with adenosine triphosphate reduction (ATP), glutathione depletion, and increased lipid peroxidation. There is increased oxidative stress and less oxidative defense
Mercury’s vascular effects include increased oxidative stress and inflammation, decreased oxidative defense, thrombosis, dyslipidemia, and dysfunctional immune and mitochondrial. Hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased heart rate variability, increased intimate-media carotid thickness and carotid artery obstruction, stroke, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal dysfunction are the clinical consequences of mercury toxicity.
Catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is inactivated by mercury. COMT is an enzyme that mainly involves catabolism (breaking down) at sympathetic nerve endings of catecholamines. The result of mercury on COMT is that it will increase serum and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This effect will increase blood pressure and may be a clinical indication of heavy metal toxicity caused by mercury.
It is important to note that mercury reduces the protective effect of fish and omega-3 fatty acids found to have value in managing high blood pressure reduction.
In anyone with hypertension, heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, or other vascular diseases, mercury toxicity should be evaluated. If you suffer from hypertension, it is vital to have your doctor order the proper test: Click here. If this test shows high levels of mercury, it is important to find a doctor who is trained in functional medicine and is able to administer an effective protocol to chelate the toxic metal and lower the load on your body.
