Chelation
Therapy

DMPS is short for Dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (pronounced dye-mer-cap-toe-pro-pain-sull-fon-ic acid). DMPS is called a chelating agent, which is a substance that binds to metal. DMPS specifically binds to mercury, lead and arsenic, and forms stable complexes with these metals, allowing them to be eliminated from the body. DMPS is water soluble, and is over 50% rapidly absorbed through oral administration. The highest concentrations of DMPS are detected in plasma and kidneys. Elimination of DMPS takes place to about 90% via the kidneys.

DMPS is created through a series of complex chemical reactions. It is not found in nature. It was first developed in the 1950s in Russia for the treatment of mercury and lead poisoning and has been sold under the brand names Dimaval and Unithiol in Germany and Russia, respectively.

DMPS is a substance with very low toxicity systemically and is generally well tolerated, even with long-term use. Studies have been conducted on the lowest SINGLE oral dose of DMPS required to cause negative changes to blood chemistry in animals. According to the studies, a 30-pound dog could consume 120 grams of DMPS at one time before blood chemistry changes were noted. A rat could consume twice that amount. Using the dog toxicity model, a 150-pound person would need to take 600 grams of pure DMPS at one time to note changes in blood chemistry. By way of comparison, the amount of DMPS contained in the entire 30-day MercOut Program is just 4 grams. Using the dog toxicity studies as a guide, a typical adult could consume 150 complete MercOut Programs at one time without serious consequences. This is, of course, not recommended and should not be done. Extensive animal testing in the 1950s with DMPS showed no toxicity to the immune system, heart, liver, blood or kidneys. No significant effects on fetal development were noted when fed to pregnant mice. We can find no reports of any human deaths from oral DMPS usage. Even with this safety history, we do NOT provide the MercOut Program to anyone who is pregnant or lactating, or believes there is any possibility she may be pregnant.

DMPS can weakly bind to essential minerals in the body such as copper and zinc. In addition to the possible increased elimination of essential trace elements (especially zinc), allergic reactions in the form of skin reaction are seen in between 5-10% of individuals taking DMPS. These reactions are much milder than with the intravenous route of administration. Most of the reported adverse reactions to DMPS occurred on long-term therapy. Symptoms were generally mild and included itching, nausea, dizziness, fever, weakness, skin reactions (e.g., rash, urticaria), mucous membrane reactions, raised body temperature, or shivering and fever. Allergic reactions generally subside within 3 to 5 days of stopping DMPS treatment. Some people may notice an odor of rotten eggs coming from body excretions (urine, sweat) while they are taking DMPS. This is due to the sulfur nature of the DMPS chemical.

If you’re at all concerned, open a maroon DMPS capsule, put a match-head sized amount on the end of your finger and rub on upper and lower gums and let sit for 10-15 minutes. If the gums become red, inflamed or begin itching or you experience anything that resembles a reaction, don’t take the DMPS.

Most people feel no side effects during the detoxification process. Some people, however, may feel tired, unfocused or have headaches; this is generally a response to mercury being mobilized from deep in the tissues and pulled into the bloodstream before being eliminated in the urine. These are short-term effects that will improve as you detoxify.

Infrequently during the MercOut Program, people have a slight rash that may or may not itch, swollen lips and/or a tender tongue, and mild nausea. These side effects of detoxification are reversible and are not permanent. If you experience these reactions, we recommend that you stop the detoxification program for one week and then restart. If the reactions return or continue, please discontinue the program and contact this office for guidance.

Very few people feel any significant side effects from detoxification while on MercOut. One of the reasons we suggest taking the DMPS (red capsule) at bedtime is to reduce any potential problems with so-called "brain fog," fatigue, malaise, etc. These symptoms of detoxification are not uncommon but are short-lived and of no concern during sleep. Generally, individuals taking the MercOut system are able to perform all the normal activities of daily living, including work, without any interruption. As with any detoxification program, it is very important to maintain a regular bowel pattern and avoid constipation to minimize side effects. If you are constipated, toxins are trapped in the body, which can leave you feeling uncomfortable and even give flu-like symptoms. It’s essential that you drink lots of water to flush the kidneys and liver, and include ample fiber in your diet to move your bowels daily. The liver, kidneys and bowel are your body’s natural filter and elimination organs, and toxins can easily be trapped if these vital systems are clogged. Mercury is a potent toxin, and it’s important you take active steps to support your body while it’s detoxifying.

The longest period of continuous treatment of a human with DMPS reported in scientific literature was 4 ½ years. The longest treatment period experienced with the MercOut Program has been 5 months, with the average lasting 2 months. Each MercOut program is 30 days, and is followed by a special urine test to determine the amount of mercury still remaining in the body. If the test result indicates that the mercury level is still in the "Elevated" range, the physician likely would recommend another 30-day program. The duration of treatment varies with each individual, and depends on the length and type of mercury exposure, and may also be influenced by age and gender.

DMPS has been in use by physicians in hospitals and private practice worldwide since the 1950s for the treatment of mercury poisoning. At this time, DMPS has no official status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is not listed as a prescription medication. The FDA's web site includes this description: "Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS), a chelating agent, is well characterized chemically. DMPS has been used to treat heavy metal poisoning. At doses reported in the literature for this indication, DMPS appears to be relatively non-toxic, and serious adverse reactions associated with its use have not been commonly reported. Limited anecdotal evidence of DMPS' effectiveness for this indication is also reported in the literature." [Federal Register: Volume 64, Number 4].

There is no known adverse interaction between any ingredient in the MercOut formula and any prescription medication, or with vitamin or herbal formulations. HOWEVER, because DMPS may weakly bind to and remove other metals, it is not advisable to take any MINERALS either with the MercOut nighttime capsule or within two hours of taking it. Minerals would include zinc, copper, manganese, iron, selenium, and magnesium.

At present, only physicians and other health care practitioners can order and administer compounds containing DMPS.

Neither the laboratory fees nor product cost of the Urine Challenge Test nor the MercOut detoxification program is reimbursable by either Medicare or private health insurance.

“Safe” amalgam removal is an important step in removing so-called “silver” fillings with the least health impact to the body. A good source of information about safe amalgam removal is through your own dentist or the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology at www.IAOMT.org . Most people are under the misunderstanding that they must be amalgam-free before beginning a mercury detoxification program. Because safe amalgam removal can be costly, people often delay the process, and thus delay mercury removal. Here’s a an analogy that might be helpful:

Imagine you are in a canoe on the ocean and the boat springs a small leak. Over time the boat begins to fill with water, making it harder to paddle and maneuver. When it gets to the point where the boat is so bogged down that waves are beginning to swamp it, which would you rather do – stop and fix the leak or start bailing as fast as you can?

Imagine that your “silver” amalgams are the leak, but the body burden of mercury is what now is swamping the immune system, nervous system and brain. Fixing the amalgams is a great goal, but scooping the mercury out of the body has greater benefits than waiting for the perfect time to remove the fillings.