Mercury

Advanced wellness

also hg, blood mercury

What it isA neurotoxic heavy metal. In adults, the dominant exposure is methylmercury from predator fish (tuna, swordfish, shark, king mackerel); elemental mercury exposure comes from dental amalgam and certain occupations. Methylmercury crosses the blood-brain and placental barriers.

DoesDisrupts neuronal, generates oxidative stress, impairs mitochondrial energetics, and crosses the placenta affecting fetal neurodevelopment.

GoodA low mercury level reflects modest exposure and protects neurological, cardiovascular health, and fetal development in pregnancy.

BadElevated levels cause tremor, paresthesias, cognitive slowing, mood disturbance, and in pregnancy impair fetal brain development. Subclinical elevation in heavy fish eaters is common and reversible by changing diet.

Standard

<10 µg/L.

Optimal

0–5 µg/L (lower is good)

Modifiers

Frequent high-mercury fish consumption is the dominant driver; takes weeks to months to clear after dietary change.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Limit predator fish to once monthly; favor small, short-lived species (sardines, anchovies, wild salmon).
Diet: Selenium-rich foods (Brazil nuts, sardines) blunt mercury toxicity; cilantro, chlorella have mild binding effects.
Supplements: Selenium 100–200 µg/day, NAC 600–1200 mg/day, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione precursors.
Peptides: —
Drugs: DMSA chelation reserved for high levels with symptoms under specialist supervision.

within Toxins & Heavy Metals