Egyptian researchers examined whether increased exposure to mercury was associated with autism in children.

Their study put 100 children in three groups: children with autism (40), healthy controls (40), and healthy siblings of the autistic children (20).

Urinary porphyrins are chemicals produced in the body and excreted in urine that can be used to monitor heavy metal exposure to mercury, lead, and other metals.

The scientists measured levels of urinary porphyrins, along with performing blood tests for mercury and lead.

The results showed that children with autism had significantly higher levels of mercury, lead, and urinary porphyrins related to heavy toxicity. The authors also found that mothers of children with autism had more mercury dental fillings in their teeth.

I have been checking mercury and lead levels in every patient I’ve seen for 20-plus years. More than 80 percent have high levels of one or both of these toxic metals.

It is important to avoid exposure to these metals. You should avoid getting mercury fillings, being vaccinated with mercury-contaminated vaccines such as some formulations of the flu vaccine or the tetanus booster, and not drink water contaminated with lead.