Several toxic metals, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, are known to accelerate atherosclerosis because they all produce high levels of free radicals in the walls of blood vessels, damage the endothelium, and can activate glutamate-receptor excitotoxicity.

Mercury, in particular, is being ignored by the medical profession as an independent factor in heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes.

Mercury can poison a number of important enzymes necessary for cellular energy production, especially within the mitochondria. It also acts as a very powerful trigger for excitotoxicity, activates macrophages, raises inflammation, lowers glutathione levels, and can severely damage the endothelia of blood vessels.

Because mercury poisons important enzymes for energy production and activates immunoexcitotoxicity, mercury can dramatically increase free radical generation, accelerating atherosclerosis.

In addition, mercury is known to cause hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.

A recent study found that even low doses of mercury impaired endothelial function, blocked blood vessel relaxation, and triggered constriction of blood vessels.

This means mercury impairs blood flow to all organs and tissues of the body.Studies on large populations have shown that a majority of people have mercury levels in their tissues that exceed safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

This is now being shown worldwide — including Japan, Eastern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and the UK.

The major sources of mercury poisoning include fish consumption, dental amalgams, vaccines, and atmospheric contamination.