Mercury and Chronic Illness: A List of Conditions Studied

Mercury is known as one of the most harmful toxic metals for our bodies, and for our brains in particular. Scientists have looked at it in connection with almost every chronic illness. The list below shows health problems that have been researched alongside mercury and roughly how many studies were published on each over a ten-year period; these numbers don't prove cause and effect, they show how much research interest there is.

Why do mercury and aluminium matter?

As some of you already know, mercury and aluminium are among the most harmful toxic metals for the body, and especially for the brain. Unfortunately, there are also studies suggesting that mercury can increase the toxic effects of some other metals.

Where can we be exposed to mercury?

• The air we breathe: for example, emissions from coal-fired power stations
• Fish: the higher up the food chain a fish is, the more mercury it can accumulate, so levels are higher in large fish such as tuna
• Amalgam dental fillings
• Some vaccines: thiomersal, used as a preservative, contains mercury; today it is no longer found in the vast majority of childhood vaccines
• Energy-saving (compact fluorescent) bulbs: especially when they break

Do your own research: PubMed

If you know people who suspect their chronic symptoms might have something to do with heavy-metal exposure, point them to PubMed. Type the symptom or condition into the search box together with the word “mercury”, for example “diabetes mercury”. You can also search reputable health websites.

When it comes to mercury, you'll find studies on almost every chronic illness. Of course, that alone says nothing about the quality or the findings of those studies; the fact that a study exists doesn't mean mercury causes that condition. But it does show how seriously the subject is being researched.

Conditions studied in connection with mercury

Here are some examples from studies published over ten years (topic and approximate number of studies, as of 2022, when this article was first published):

TopicNumber of studies

Diabetes and mercury

191

Parkinson's disease

50

Alzheimer's disease

64

Autism spectrum (including ADHD and ADD)

156

Depression

78

Asthma

37

Thyroid hormone disorders, menopausal symptoms

66

Cardiovascular disease

30

Heart attack

27

Rheumatism

16

Osteoporosis

16

Arthritis

20

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

29

Iron deficiency

33

Kidney failure

69

Infertility

40

There are also studies on periodontitis (chronic gum inflammation), vision and hearing problems, deafness, intellectual disability and aggression. For more on autism, read our article What is autism spectrum disorder?

If you suspect mercury exposure

If you think a chronic complaint might be linked to mercury or another heavy metal, talk to your doctor. Exposure can be assessed with the blood and urine tests your doctor considers appropriate.

Related products

Awareness of toxins and chemicals is part of the vision ROOT was founded on, as we explain in The Root Brands story. Many people choose to add Clean Slate, ROOT's best-known product, to their daily routine. Clean Slate is a food supplement; it is not claimed to remove mercury or heavy metals from the body, or to prevent or treat any of the conditions above. If you have a chronic complaint, talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.