Hi Everybody!
Did any if your physicians mention to you a study that appeared in 1999 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1999; 33: 1578-83) done by Frustaci ? I just found out about this from Dr. Julian Whitaker. I have posted on this forum before it moved. Although my ejection fraction is great (60-65%), my cardiomyopathy treated with supplements, I think of all the people that are still dealing with the regular clinic visits, meds, oxygen, and all the rest. (NOTE TO GLORIA: NO, Gloria those of us who are better do not want to forget all about our illness. We desperately want everyone else to be better too!!!)When I saw this study I had to take the time to let you know about it. This study really should change how IDCM (Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy) is treated but don’t hold your breath or bet the farm!
These researchers were studying the levels of different toxic metals in the heart tissue of patients with Congestive Heart Failure. They knew excess cobalt & arsenic could damage heart muscle but they found a new and pervasive toxic metal: mercury. They discovered that the levels of mercury were thousands of times higher (22,000 times higher!) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy than in those with other heart problems, including ischemic cardiomyopathy. Also, this very high concentration of mercury was found only in the hearts of the IDCM patients, not throughout the rest of their bodies.
It is unknown why the mercury level was so much higher in the IDCM patients or why it was it was concentrated almost exclusively in the heart muscle. (Skeletal muscle samples had normal levels of mercury.) Another surprise was that the IDCM patients had no unusual exposure to mercury.
The explanation offered by the researchers is that the IDCM patients had suffered a virus that damaged the heart muscle changing the cells of the heart such that they more readily absorbed and retained mercury. According to Dr. Whitaker this explanation is very plausible and is supported by animal studies that show that Coxsackie B Virus causes an influx of mercury into the heart.
Dr. Whitaker recommends chelation and high dose Coenzyme Q10 (which I recommended in a previous post and will note again that you need to be sure you are using a pharmaceutical grade product so you know you are actually getting the dose you want!).
If you want more info on this study, Dr. Whitaker’s article, or Coenzyme Q10 supplementation or my experience, please give me a call or send me a note. I hope this helps!!
email: vsbarts@aol.com
toll-free voicemail 877-474-5635
Posted on Nov 1, 2002, 6:57 PM from IP address 152.163.189.104