Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children

Abstract

Among dietary factors, learning and behavior are influenced not only by nutrients, but also by exposure to toxic food contaminants such as mercury that can disrupt metabolic processes and alter neuronal plasticity. Neurons lacking in plasticity are a factor in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation. Essential nutrients help maintain normal neuronal plasticity. Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the amino acid methionine, and the trace minerals zinc and selenium, have been shown to influence neuronal function and produce defects in neuronal plasticity, as well as impact behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nutritional deficiencies and mercury exposure have been shown to alter neuronal function and increase oxidative stress among children with autism. These dietary factors may be directly related to the development of behavior disorders and learning disabilities. Mercury, either individually or in concert with other factors, may be harmful if ingested in above average amounts or by sensitive individuals. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to contain trace amounts of mercury as a result of some manufacturing processes, and its consumption can also lead to zinc loss. Consumption of certain artificial food color additives has also been shown to lead to zinc deficiency. Dietary zinc is essential for maintaining the metabolic processes required for mercury elimination. Since high fructose corn syrup and artificial food color additives are common ingredients in many foodstuffs, their consumption should be considered in those individuals with nutritional deficits such as zinc deficiency or who are allergic or sensitive to the effects of mercury or unable to effectively metabolize and eliminate it from the body.

Glyphosate pathways to modern diseases VI: Prions, amyloidoses and autoimmune neurological diseases

“…Our earlier studies on VAERS comparing MMR with an age-matched, equalsized distribution of all other vaccines showed a significant association of MMR with autism (P < 0.007) [169]. This was puzzling, because MMR has never contained either aluminium or mercury, the two prime candidates for the kind of neurological damage that might lead to autism [170][171][172][173][174]. Strong associations also appeared with fever and rash.…”

Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes—A review

“…The USEPA and FDA recommend 1 ppm as the official reference dose for methyl mercury in the United States. The 1-ppm value is also used with regard to total mercury exposure, according to the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (Dufault et al, 2009). Thus, in this review, distinctions between effects of different forms of mercury are not made.…”

“…Thus, in this review, distinctions between effects of different forms of mercury are not made. Dufault et al (2009) has provided data linking the diet and environment with autism. Cumulative mercury exposure results from mercury as a pollutant in air, soil, dust, water, consumer products, dental amalgam and lighting fixtures, foodstuffs, fish, and seafood.…”

Fetal and Neonatal Endocrine Disruptors

“…However, the underlying genetic determinants are still not clarified [1,9], and the interaction of heritable factors with uncertified lifestyle and environmental factors seem play a significant role in the pathogenesis. For example, organic mercury had been claimed one of environmental candidates causing autistic disorders [10][11][12], but its relationship remains to be established. Recently, epigenetic alteration of gene expression by environmental factors is considered one of key events in the pathogenesis of genetic diseases [13,14], and some toxic elements such as cadmium and arsenic have been reported to be candidate factors that induce epigenetic alterations [15][16][17][18][19] and neurodevelopmental disorders [20].…”